Research Admin

Job Summary

The Department of Surgery Contracts and Grants Research operations Manager supports various research activities within the Department of Surgery. This position will project manage the preparation, writing, budget and submissions of research grants and post award grants management in addition to overseeing various research related projects. This role will lead and/or manage a variety of functions including identifying staffing needs, equipment, regulatory requirements, resource management, process improvement, and special projects or initiatives that impact the research initiatives of specific divisions within the Department of Surgery.

This contracts and grants research operations manager must be able to present and communicate with executive leaders, internal and external to the Department on a regular basis. This position must be a strategic thinker, able to analyze various systems and processes, identify gaps and opportunities, and lead efforts to improve them. The contracts and grants operations manager must also be a leader who is able to deal with ambiguity in order to manage and oversee research efforts for specific divisions within the Department of Surgery.

The ideal candidate should have direct, relevant, and recent experience working with physicians, clinical staff, scientists, researchers and/or innovators in the academic, healthcare startup, or innovation industry settings.

January 11, 2026 11:59 PM;
Interviews and recruiting process may occur at anytime.

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Experience performing analytical work, analyzing complex information, performing independent research, presenting complex data in a way that facilitates decision‑making and making strategic recommendations.
• Experience preparing financial reports, developing financial projections (long and short term).
• Demonstrated experience and working knowledge of financial and payroll systems (including Decision Support and UC Path), or similarly complex administrative systems.
• Demonstrated experience at exercising administrative judgment and assuming responsibility for decisions, consequences, and results having an impact on people, costs, and/or quality of service within functional area.
• Recent training and experience submitting and managing extramural grants.
• Experience developing and managing research grant budgets.
• Expert in all phases and components of project management with the ability to direct programs with organization‑wide impact. Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to explain technology solutions in business terms, establish rapport and persuade others. Fosters relationships and effectively collaborates with all levels of a diverse body of leaders, physicians, researchers, administrators, and staff employees. Proven leadership ability.
  
  Ability to motivate cross‑functional project teams by fostering team spirit, an attitude of cooperation, and a commitment to the organization.
• Required ability to assess campus, medical center or Office of the President needs for information technology products and design services to meet the needs of the research initiatives. Working knowledge of Institutional Review Board processes.
• Self‑motivated and focused on the goals and deliverables of the organization and is always working to deliver and support these goals.
• Sophisticated problem‑solving skills to effectively define and address daily challenges and deliver assignments in a high‑pressure, constantly changing executive level environment.
• Highly organized and focused on critical deadlines; ability to review and prioritize workload and makes adjustments as needed.
• Expert in building credibility, trust, and rapport with stakeholders at all levels, both within and outside of the organization.

• Master's degree in relevant fields or equivalent related program management experience.
• PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.
• Prior experience managing a portfolio of external grants and contracts.
• Experience with contracts and grants financial systems…