Research Program Associate Director

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category

Academic Staff

Employment Type

Regular

Job Profile

Research Program Associate Director

Job Summary

The University of Wisconsin Department of Pediatrics (DOP) is seeking a Research Program Associate Director to provide leadership and oversight for its extensive research operations. Since 2015, the DOP has ranked among the Top 20 pediatrics departments receiving NIH funding, according to Blue Ridge Institutes for Medical Research. In FY25, the department received nearly $42 million in research funding in FY25, ~$27 million of which was from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This position will work closely with the Associate Department Administrator - Academic Operations, Vice Chairs of Research Operations and Development, Clinical Research Director, and the Pre- and Post-Award Managers, to provide leadership and strategic planning for centralized research administration (pre- and post-award) and support operations, emphasizing sound financial management and accountability. The DOP considers research one of the fundamental pillars of its academic mission and this position will provide critical leadership and advice to research faculty, staff, and trainees. The Research Program Associate Director will be involved in complex day-to-day research operations, requiring substantial independence, personal responsibility, strategic and creative thinking. A successful candidate will model and instill in others a high degree of professionalism, including demonstration of honesty, integrity, accountability, and a commitment to altruism in all work interactions and responsibilities.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Direct supervision of 2.0 FTE and indirect supervision of 7.0 FTE (based on current staffing);
• Provision of oversight, leadership and strategic planning for pre- and post-award research administrative support;
• Compile, analyze, and present data to DOP, SMPH, and UW Health leadership on proposal statistics, award information, trends, and national rankings;
• Use departmental data to strategize, refine, and implement policies and procedures to support the research and academic success of DOP faculty, researchers, staff, and trainees;
• With the DOP Post-Award Manager, ensure that timely and accurate financial reports are provided and discussed with principal investigators to ensure financial stability within the research group/lab and plan staffing levels;
• Lead and coordinate the DOP Research & Development grant proposals/awards and indirect cost return allocations; prepare return on investment (ROI) analysis for DOP leadership;
• Maintain and develop research-related content for the DOP website and intranet, serving as a robust and up-to-date resource for faculty, staff and trainees;
• Develop/lead research administration education and training opportunities for faculty, staff, and trainees; and
• Lead research-related faculty onboarding efforts, including start-up funding requests, new faculty orientations, and regular faculty check-ins within the first 18 months of employment. This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Manages large research projects for a center or program
• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
• Assists with planning, implementation, and management of strategic initiatives for a center or program
• Determines unit personnel needs and the unit personnel resource allocation plan
• Serves as a unit liaison to internal stakeholder groups to foster cross-unit partnership efforts regarding research programs and activities
• Serves as a consultant to project directors and provides technical expertise to research and operational personnel
• Collaborates with project directors and the full range of clients whose knowledge and expertise varies

Department

School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Pediatrics, Administration – Research Administration

The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is a vibrant academic department comprising more than 230 faculty members in 16 subspecialty divisions. The department promotes and enhances the health of children through outstanding clinical care, exemplary education of pediatric trainees, performance of cutting-edge research, and vigorous advocacy. Our faculty and research staff enjoy a robust infrastructure of services as well as the opportunity to contribute to our world-class research portfolio — since 2015 the department has ranked among the Top 20 pediatrics departments receiving NIH funding, according to Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. To provide remarkable health care for everyone in our community, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in all aspects of our work. To learn more about the department's work and accomplishments, please visit:

Compensation

The starting salary for the position is $120,000 annually; but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage.

• SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026

Required Qualifications

• At least five years of progressive responsibility in managing complex, multi-disciplinary research portfolios in an academic and/or health care setting
• Experience with pre- and post-award research administration oversight, proposal development, budget planning and preparation, and automated financial systems
• Direct, hand-on post-award financial management experience with principal investigators (PIs), demonstrating a strong understanding of and experience managing the research portfolio of a complex research enterprise
• At least one year of supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with clinical trials and/or a large, complex medical center is strongly preferred
• At least two years of post-award financial management experience is strongly preferred
• At least two years of supervisory experience

Education

Bachelor’s Degree preferred