Research Development Program Manager

Department

BSD DIV - Dean for Basic Science:
Staff

The Biological Sciences Division (BSD) has a tripartite mission of education, research, and clinical care. In this unique academic community--the largest unit in the University--a unified BSD delivers undergraduate, graduate, medical, and postgraduate education in the biological sciences together with outstanding patient care and world-renowned research. The BSD currently includes approximately 160 faculty in the basic science departments, over 1200 faculty in clinical departments, and 2,400 staff members.

The BSD includes the Pritzker School of Medicine (PSOM), approximately 24 academic units, degree-granting committees, and research centers and institutes. In total, the BSD is responsible for the education and training of more than 1,200 undergraduate students per year and 800 graduate and medical students. The 17 doctoral training programs in biological sciences focus on Darwinian sciences, molecular biosciences, neurosciences, biomedical sciences, public health sciences, radiation physics, and the MD/PhD interdisciplinary scientist training program.

The Research Deans (Vice Dean for Basic Science, Vice Dean for Clinical Research, and Associate Dean for Basic Science) within the BSD Dean's Office oversee all basic and clinical research programs in the BSD, and help lead the coordination and integration of all types of basic, clinical, translational, and community research throughout the BSD. The Research Deans are responsible for building strategic programs, as well as the integration of the basic research and graduate education missions, and support early-stage investigators.

In this capacity the Research Deans oversee resources such as research space and core facilities, which are designed to support the research mission, as well as the limited opportunity grant review process and Research Development Team. They convene meetings with the Basic Science Chairs, Institute/Center Directors, as well as other key research leaders and committees and provide evaluations of all research faculty candidates.

The Research Deans support a diverse group of research-related initiatives and meetings, the bulk of which center around new strategic programs.

The job manages a team of professional staff responsible for the development and implementation of objectives and long-range and strategic plans. Achieves the financial objectives of their department. Identifies new external partners to advance strategic priorities. Communicates and collaborates with internal and external community members and leadership to achieve strategic priorities. The job manages a team of professional staff responsible for the development and implementation of objectives and long-range and strategic plans.

Achieves the financial objectives of their department. Identifies new external partners to advance strategic priorities. Communicates and collaborates with internal and external community members and leadership to achieve strategic priorities. The Research Development Program Manager provides operational leadership for the BSD Research Development Team (RDT), driving initiatives that expand the division's capacity to secure external research funding. Core responsibilities include overseeing complex proposal development, supervising Research Development Specialists, and building the programs, resources, and processes that position BSD researchers for competitive success.

• Lead implementation of RDT initiatives that support BSD strategic priorities, including complex proposal development, strategic investigator support, and institutional research initiatives.
• Lead the ongoing development of the RDT by evaluating service models, implementing new operational approaches, identifying opportunities to expand institutional impact, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Manage the Division's portfolio of complex and high-impact funding opportunities by prioritizing projects, allocating Research Development resources, and ensuring alignment with institutional goals.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Research Development Specialists while fostering professional development, establishing consistent service standards, and promoting effective project management practices.
• Lead development and implementation of standardized proposal management processes, collaborative workflows, templates, timelines, and project management systems that improve efficiency, accountability, and proposal quality.
• Leverage advanced expertise in pre-award research administration, sponsor policies, and institutional processes to guide proposal strategy, ensure regulatory compliance, and facilitate successful submission of complex funding applications.
• Apply comprehensive knowledge of the full sponsored research lifecycle--from proposal development through award management and closeout--to anticipate downstream administrative and operational considerations that strengthen proposal…