Director of Research Administration

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and highlight your experiences that directly relate to this position.

With questions about the position or office, please email UMSI's Research Office at umsi.research.office@umich.edu. For requests for accommodations or support with the application process, please email UMSI Human Resources at umsi.human.resources@umich.edu.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, the Director of Research Administration provides strategic leadership and operational oversight to a dynamic, highly collaborative Research Administration team that supports faculty research at the University of Michigan - School of Information (UMSI).

You will be responsible for leading and overseeing all aspects of research administration, including pre- and post-award activities, compliance, research development support, and process improvement. You will partner closely with faculty, school leadership, and central university offices to support and grow UMSI's research portfolio, while ensuring effective, compliant, and service-oriented operations.

Please see the link here for the full job description and responsibilities.

• Lead all research administration functions at UMSI, including pre-award, post-award, compliance, and research support services.
• Be an active member of the UMSI Management Team and the strategic advisor to school leadership on research operations, growth opportunities, and administrative infrastructure.
• Establish priorities and direction for the Research Office to support the continued growth and sustainability of UMSI's research portfolio.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance, consistency, and operational effectiveness.
• Oversee and develop a multidisciplinary team of research administration and research development professionals.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, higher education, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, including both pre-award and post-award activities.
• Demonstrated experience managing grants and contracts across federal, state, and private sponsors, including proposal submission, award management, and compliance.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal regulations and sponsor requirements, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and institutional policies governing sponsored research.
• Experience collaborating with or supporting contract and grant negotiations, including working with central offices or sponsors to resolve terms and conditions.
• Supervisory and management experience, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and team development, with responsibility for at least three or more full-time staff.
• Experience managing or influencing budgets and resource allocation, including planning and controlling costs.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Supervisory Responsibilities
Provide leadership to 5 FTE, including 4 direct reports.

Salary Information
The salary range for this position is $125,000 to $136,000. Salary is determined by direct relevant experience and demonstrated past performance results while ensuring equity on our team. While rare, we may offer a salary above the posted range for an exceptionally qualified candidate, considering internal equity and budget. All candidates are encouraged to discuss salary questions to honor alignment and transparency throughout the recruiting process.