Director, Research Administrator

Job Profile:

Administrative Operations Manager 4

Job Family:

Administrative Operations

Time Type:

Full time

Apply before 11:59 PM Arizona time the day before the posted End Date.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and nine (9) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field including five (5) years managerial experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
• Job Profile Summary: Administers and evaluates all business and administrative matters including budget, operations, and programs and personnel administration within several departments. Provides financial analysis and strategic planning as well as oversees the budgetary controls.
• Job Description: Under senior leadership direction, plans, organizes, and directs departmental research operations to ensure efficient and effective service delivery aligned with university priorities, strategies, and goals. Serves as a resource to ASU investigators and Research Advancement Administrators.
• Position Salary: $134,000 per year
• Essential Duties: Leadership & Administration
• Direct and oversee all departmental operations, ensuring alignment with university mission, goals, and strategic initiatives.
• Develop and implement short- and long-term strategies, objectives, and operational plans.
• Establish, maintain, and improve departmental policies, procedures, and workflows to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Identify, analyze, and resolve operational issues; implement process improvements.
• Collaborate with university leadership and stakeholders to define infrastructure, staffing, and resource needs.
• Represent the university on internal and external committees, boards, and professional organizations.
• Serve as liaison with faculty, administrators, external agencies, and advisory groups.
• Prepare and present reports, analyses, and correspondence to support decision-making and accountability.
• Staff Management
• Hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate research administration staff directly or through subordinate managers.
• Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Address personnel matters, including corrective actions and disciplinary decisions as needed.
• Financial & Strategic Oversight
• Develop and manage departmental budgets; monitor expenditures to ensure effective use of resources.
• Partner with leadership on budget planning, forecasting, and financial decision-making.
• Lead preparation of administrative and financial reports.
• Contribute to strategic planning and execution at the department and college level.
• Collaborate with business services in financial forecasting and reporting for sponsored and non-sponsored funds.
• Research Administration Leadership
• Serve as subject matter expert on research administration policies and procedures.
• Coordinate with ORSPA and ASUF on pre- and post-award activities.
• Support high-level strategic initiatives related to research development and administration.
• Design college pre/post-award frameworks, including cross-unit service models and digital infrastructure.
• Develop and mentor future research administration leaders.
• Pre-Award Administration
• Oversee and support proposal development processes, including: Interpreting funding announcements and sponsor requirements.
• Assisting with proposal planning, budget development, project personnel, and justification.
• Ensuring compliance with sponsor, university, and regulatory guidelines.
• Manage internal proposal routing and submission through ERA systems.
• Conduct administrative reviews to ensure completeness and compliance prior to submission.
• Coordinate with KE Research Operations and ORSPA for submission and award negotiation support.
• Facilitate communication with investigators, subrecipients, and sponsors.
• Identify and disseminate funding opportunities to researchers.
• Establish processes for effective transition from pre-award to post-award activities.
• Post-Award Administration
• Oversee award management processes, including: Award setup, transactions, and change requests.
• Financial monitoring & forecasting, reconciliations, and compliance tracking.
• Reporting, record retention, and award closeout.
• Provide guidance to investigators and staff on award terms, policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Resolve administrative, personnel, and financial issues related to sponsored projects.
• Support renewals, reporting requirements, and ongoing award compliance.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Desired Qualifications: Knowledge of research administration, budgeting, and strategic planning principles.
• Strong leadership, supervision, and staff development skills.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Effective communication skills.
• Experience with program development and data analysis.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate across stakeholder groups.
• Working Environment: Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding and manipulating a computer mouse; required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work.
• Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds (medium).
• May be required to perform tasks in the field within and/or across University campuses.
• Department Statement: The Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation is distinguished as a model for excellence and inspiration in nursing and interprofessional practice, education and research to advance knowledge and innovative practice models, and new solutions to optimize the health and well-being of our local, national and global communities.
• Driving Requirement: Driving is not required for this position.
• Location: Campus: Downtown Phoenix
• Funding: No Federal Funding
• Instructions to Apply: Current employees, student workers seeking staff opportunities, and students applying for student worker positions must apply directly through the Workday Jobs Hub .
• To be considered, your application must include all of the following attachments: Cover letter
• Resume or CV
• Multiple documents may be uploaded in the attachments section. Alternatively, applicants may combine all required materials into a single PDF for submission. Please ensure uploaded documents are clearly labeled and include your name.
• Please ensure your resume includes all employment information in month and year format, for example 6/04 to 8/14, along with job title, job duties, and employer name for each position. Your resume should clearly demonstrate how your experience and background meet the minimum and desired qualifications for this position. Incomplete applications or missing required materials may not be considered.
• Important: Do not withdraw your application to make edits. Once an application is withdrawn, it cannot be edited, reactivated, or replaced with a new submission. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact The Office of Human Resources Talent Acquisition before the posting close date.
• Graduate Assistant, Intern and part-time positions are counted as half time for experience equivalency, meaning one year equals six months of experience.
• Only electronic applications will be accepted for this position. By submitting an application, you confirm that the information provided is accurate and complete.
• ASU Statement: Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions inclusive excellence, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.
• ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco
• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
• Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf . You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.
• Relocation Assistance – For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources .
• ASU’s comprehensive benefits package is a key part of your total compensation. Visit the ASU   Compensation Estimator
• Employment Verification Statement: ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.
• Background Check Statement: ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.
• Fingerprint Check Statement: This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.