Director of Research Administration - Office of Research Services

Office of Research Services (ORS) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC).

The Office of Research Services (ORS) is a core element of the university's research infrastructure. Our mission is to support the scientific, scholarly, and creative endeavors of the faculty and staff at UMKC.

The goal of ORS is to function as a highly trained, customer services-oriented organization whose primary purpose is to support and cultivate externally funded research and sponsored activities within the university community. ORS has responsibility for pre-award and award administration and is the institutional unit authorized by the Curators of the University of Missouri to submit proposals to and accept awards from external entities for financial support in the form of grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.

The Director of Research Administration works directly with the Vice Chancellor for Research to provide leadership, strategy, and operational oversight in support of the University's research mission. This role encompasses oversight of research compliance, sponsored programs, and strategic initiatives to advance the University's research agenda. Key responsibilities include:

• Advising and implementing federal, state, and UM System policies and procedures for research compliance and sponsored programs.
• Providing strategic leadership and operational guidance to ensure excellence in research operations and administration.
• Collaborating with research leaders, compliance committees (such as IRB, IBC, & IACUC), the Director of Laboratory Operations, the Office of Strategic Initiatives, and UM System-wide research leadership.
• Building strong partnerships with the university research community, including faculty, staff, and external stakeholders, to advance interdisciplinary collaborations and research priorities.
• Providing advice and data-driven insights to the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR), Provost, and Chancellor on research operations, compliance, and administration.
• Advocating for the mission and function of Research Services and Sponsored Programs within business units, campuses, regulatory bodies, and partner organizations.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Oversight

• Provide leadership and strategic direction to the Director of the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP), ensuring effective management of pre-award and post-award grant administration.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness of OSP operations, ensuring timely and high-quality service to Principal Investigators (PIs) and research teams.
• Collaborate with the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR) to align research administration operations with the University's strategic research priorities and compliance requirements.
• Advocate for the mission of Sponsored Programs and research compliance across university campuses, regulatory bodies, and partner organizations.

Sponsored Programs Oversight

• Guide the Director of OSP in refining processes for proposal development, submission, and post-award management, ensuring compliance with funding agency requirements and institutional policies.
• Support the identification, dissemination, and pursuit of funding opportunities, enabling researchers to expand their funding portfolios and advance research priorities.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of tools and systems to track grant activities, funding opportunities, and proposal statuses, improving operational efficiency and accessibility for stakeholders.

Data Management and Reporting

• Lead efforts to design and implement data collection, tracking, and reporting systems that monitor research activities and inform strategic decision-making.
• Develop dashboards and metrics to provide actionable insights into research performance, funding trends, compliance activities, and operational efficiency.
• Prepare and deliver regular reports to university leadership (VCR, Provost, Chancellor) and external stakeholders, including funding agencies and regulatory bodies.
• Analyze operational data to identify inefficiencies and recommend improvements to research administration processes and systems.

Operational Efficiency and PI Support

• Streamline administrative processes to reduce bottlenecks and improve the overall efficiency of research operations.
• Collaborate with the Director of OSP to enhance customer service, ensuring timely and effective support for PIs throughout the grant lifecycle.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and responsiveness to the evolving needs of the research community.
• Partner with PIs and research teams to understand their needs, identify challenges, and develop initiatives that support their success in securing and managing research funding.

Research Compliance and Policy Development

• Provide strategic oversight of research compliance activities, including clinical trials, conflict of interest, biosafety, human subjects research, and research integrity.
• Collaborate with compliance committees (IRB, IBC, IACUC) and their chairs to ensure adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Serve as a liaison to regulatory agencies, including the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), and oversee activities related to the university's Federal wide Assurance (FWA).
• Develop and refine policies and procedures to align with evolving regulations, sponsor requirements, and university priorities, ensuring compliance and effective communication of changes to stakeholders.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks related to research activities, promoting ethical practices and the safety of research participants.

Collaboration and Research Advancement

• Foster interdisciplinary collaborations by developing initiatives that connect researchers across disciplines, focus areas, and campuses.
• Support the university's research agenda by identifying emerging priorities and promoting innovative funding opportunities.
• Design and facilitate workshops and training programs on topics such as grant writing, compliance, and research administration best practices.
• Build relationships with sponsors and external partners to identify and cultivate collaborative research opportunities.

Representation and Advocacy

• Represent research administration and compliance in internal and external committees, cross-campus meetings, and collaborative initiatives.
• Advocate for the university's research mission and goals, building partnerships to enhance research operations and opportunities.
• Engage with sponsors, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders to strengthen relationships that support the university's research enterprise.

• Other duties as assigned by the VCR.

A Master's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience and at least 7 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

• Advanced degree (doctoral strongly preferred)
• Certifications in research administration (e.g., CRA, PMP).
• 10+ years of experience in research administration, sponsored programs, or compliance within higher education or research institutions.
• Expertise in pre-award and post-award grant administration and research compliance, including federal and state funding agency regulations (e.g., NIH, NSF).
• Strong leadership and supervisory experience, with proven ability to develop policies, manage teams, and streamline operations.
• Proficiency in data analysis, reporting, and using grants management software.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience working effectively with diverse stakeholders such as faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Experience creating training programs and initiatives to support research community development.
• Demonstrated ability to improve operational efficiency and foster a culture of innovation and responsiveness.

The anticipated hiring range is $150,000 - $170,000, commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity.

Open until filled, review of applications to begin immediately.

Kansas City offers the best of both worlds-a vibrant, urban community with Midwestern appeal. The city's rich history and its modern-day, innovative thinking come together to create an eclectic group of neighborhoods that offer a little something for everyone. From thriving arts districts, an energetic downtown nightlife, casual to upscale shopping and champion sports teams, you will have no problem making yourself at home. Of course, one of Kansas City's biggest claims to fame is its food, especially its world-famous barbecue. Foodies will delight in the culinary scene found throughout the city. Ranging from award-winning chefs to cozy pizza joints, Kansas City definitely is not lacking any flavor.

UMKC's campuses are conveniently nestled in the middle of all the action. Volker Campus is just minutes from the legendary Country Club Plaza, perfect for shopping or restaurants for lunch or after-work happy hours. Surrounded by hip neighborhoods and eateries, the Health Sciences Campus is located downtown near University Health Truman Medical Center and Children's Mercy Hospital.

UMKC is proud to be "Kansas City's university," and the campus and its people celebrate all the characteristics of the surrounding community. To learn more about life in Kansas City and find more resources, visit VisitKC.com.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person's success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo or call Human Resources at 816-235-1621.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.