Internal Only*Director, Internal Research Support & Recognition

Position Overview

This position is only open to employees internal to KU-Lawrence & KUMC Office of Research/Research Administration employees.

The Director, Internal Research Support & Recognition provides strategic, institution-wide leadership for internal research support programs that enable, fund, and recognize research excellence across the University of Kansas. This role oversees a coordinated One KU portfolio of internal funding programs, limited submissions, and faculty recognition initiatives aligned with institutional research priorities. The Director ensures that internal investments are administered through transparent and fair processes and informed by data and peer benchmarking.

The role partners closely with faculty and senior leadership to strengthen the research pipeline, support competitiveness for external funding, and elevate KU's national visibility.

In partnership with senior research leadership, develop institution-wide strategy and oversee the development and management of:

• Internal pilot, seed, and collaborative research funding programs
• Co-funding of strategic research investments
• Limited submissions
• Internal faculty research recognition awards
• External prestigious and highly prestigious awards, and honorific distinctions

Support the oversight and strategic alignment of the internal research investment portfolio to maximize institutional impact, including:

• Convening and informing quarterly discussions on funding priorities, tradeoffs, and allocation decisions
• Applying data-driven insights and peer benchmarks to inform decision-making and demonstrate return on investment

Lead and guide periodic portfolio reviews to evaluate impact and strategic alignment of internal research investments, including:

• Assessing program-level return on investment and institutional impact
• Monitoring participation patterns and equity outcomes
• Aligning investments with KU's priority research areas and growth opportunities

Provide senior oversight of internal support and co-funding programs, ensuring:

• Alignment with institutional and campus research priorities
• Clear and consistent governance structures, review processes, and decision-making frameworks
• Establish and enforce consistent policies, standards, and timelines across all internal funding, limited submission, and recognition programs
• Transparent communication with faculty regarding opportunities, eligibility, timelines, and review outcomes

• Provide strategic oversight for internal faculty research recognition programs to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and visibility goals
• Oversee coordination and nomination strategies for external prestigious and highly prestigious awards and honorific distinctions
• Ensure recognition programs are administered through transparent, fair, and consistent processes
• Partner with research leadership to identify and elevate faculty for institutional and national recognition opportunities

• Serve as the primary institutional liaison for internal research support and faculty recognition initiatives, partnering with:
  • Associate Vice Chancellors for Research
  • Deans and campus leadership
  • Office of Research strategic and planning teams
• Establish and monitor metrics to assess program effectiveness, including return on investment, downstream funding outcomes, and faculty participation
• Ensure alignment of internal investments and recognition programs with broader One KU research priorities and growth areas

• Lead and supervise the Internal Research Support & Recognition team, including program and operations personnel
• Ensure coordinated, high-quality execution across programs to deliver a cohesive and high-impact portfolio
• Align team goals, processes, and workload to support consistent service delivery and institutional priorities.
• Conducts activities in a professional and ethical manner, and in accordance with KUMC Policies and applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.
• Coordinate work with other University areas ensure integration and support of the University mission.
• Develops, maintains and expands job-specific knowledge and skills to keep pace with industry changes and supports the university's commitment to excellence and innovation.
• Participates in relevant committees, task force, or other similar activities.
  • Maintain confidentiality of medical center, employee, and patient information. Manages sensitive data with discretion and in accordance with KUMC policies and legal requirements.
  • Maintains the highest standards of integrity, respect, professional conduct, and ethical standards.

• Eleven (11) years of progressively responsible experience in academic administration, research development, faculty affairs, or a closely related field. Education may be substituted for experience on a year for year…