Executive Director of Projects Operations

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of the Executive Director of Sponsored Projects Operations is to lead operational alignment across central research administration and campus-wide research offices through process mapping, system automation, and regulatory compliance training. Serving as the lead implementation partner to the Associate Vice President for Sponsored Projects Administration, this role translates strategic vision into daily execution by identifying and eliminating administrative bottlenecks, rolling out standardized training, and ensuring consistency among all university research administrators.

The position ensures institutional accountability by bridging compliance functions within the office of Research and Technology Management and establishing collaborative, cross-functional workflows with partners in finance, procurement, and audit services to optimize research administration operations.

• Lead campus-wide process mapping, business process redesign, and the integration of automation and AI solutions to eliminate administrative bottlenecks within the research administration community. Translate complex operational requirements into data-driven dashboards and performance metrics that support executive decision-making. Develop and deliver comprehensive training, implementation plans, and change management strategies to ensure the successful adoption of standardized practices among campus research administrators under a soft centralization model.
  
  (45%)
• Lead high-priority strategic projects, track institutional priorities, and ensure strict accountability for deliverables across research units. Coordinate leadership meetings and strategic planning activities while preparing executive briefings, presentations, and reports for senior university leadership. (30%)
• Design and execute communication strategies to support policy implementation and research administration initiatives across campus. Serve as editor for key institutional channel--including RADAR, Research Insights, and web content--translating complex regulatory information into clear guidance for faculty and staff. Partner with ORTM compliance and administrative functions (including Research Security, Research Integrity, IRB, and IACUC) to ensure structurally aligned, accurate messaging. (15%)
• Foster cross-functional collaboration among central research administration, campus compliance units, and academic departments. Represent Sponsored Projects Administration on committees and enterprise-wide initiatives involving finance, procurement, and audit services. Actively promote an institutional culture of operational innovation, transparency, and continuous improvement across the university's research enterprise. (10%)

Perform other duties as assigned. (