Executive Director of Research and Innovation Operations - Carle Illinois College of Medicine

Executive Director of Research and Innovation Operations

Carle Illinois College of Medicine

Carle Illinois College of Medicine is the world's first accredited engineering-based medical school, founded in 2015 through a partnership between the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Carle Health. Built at the intersection of engineering, science, and medicine, the college is redefining medical education, research, and clinical innovation to improve the health and well-being of patients and communities. Carle Illinois offers a supportive and innovative environment where faculty, staff, and students work together to advance the college's mission and growth through collaboration, creativity, and meaningful contributions.

Carle Illinois embraces the university's commitment to creating a diverse and talented community of students, faculty and staff, which is essential to fulfilling its mission and vision. Carle Illinois actively promotes an inclusive environment in which students, faculty and staff can learn, teach, research and serve. For detailed information on our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, please visit: Mission | Carle Illinois College of Medicine | Illinois.

Carle Illinois College of Medicine - the world's first LCME accredited engineering-based medical school
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Position Summary

The Executive Director of Research and Innovation Operations in the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) serves as the senior strategic and operational leader supporting the Carle Illinois College of Medicine's research enterprise. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation (ADRI), this position provides vision and coordination for research infrastructure, operational excellence, and innovation initiatives across the college. This position enables the operational execution of priority research activities from concept through implementation by coordinating regulatory, financial, and infrastructure components under direction of the ADRI.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Research Infrastructure

• Advise the Associate Dean on the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Carle Illinois research and innovation infrastructure.
• Lead strategic initiatives to strengthen operational systems supporting research growth, compliance, and efficiency.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of research operations.
• Serve on college-wide leadership and planning committees related to research development and innovation.

Cross-Institutional and Industry Collaboration

• Serve as the college lead for corporate and industry partnerships involving research and innovation, overseeing relationship development and engagement strategies.
• Facilitate cross-collaboration between Carle Illinois and Carle Health to align research priorities, resources, and processes.
• Collaborate with campus offices to reduce administrative barriers and ensure compliance with university and sponsor policies.
• Advance a culture of research mentorship by guiding students through study design, regulatory processes, and project execution, while supporting publication and grant success through active feedback and scholarly development.
• Help students navigate the regulatory aspects of research conduct.
• Support the ADRI in the translation of research projects from the idea conception stage to successful publication or grant submission.

Research Operations and Administration

• Oversee the day-to-day administration of Carle Illinois research operations, ensuring compliance and successful delivery of ORI services and managing the ORI unit budget and expenditures.
• Supervise and develop staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. This includes delegating and assigning operational work; managing employee performance, leave, and professional development.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures that ensure effective management and compliance of research activities.
• Represents the ADRI in strategic meetings at college and university levels.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Represent Carle Illinois in meetings, committees, and external events related to research, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
• Stay informed of emerging trends in research policy, federal funding, and health innovation to position Carle Illinois as a leader in academic medicine research.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships, work cooperatively and collegially with others in a manner consistent with a workplace of dignity and respect.
• Foster a culture of community and inclusion within Carle Illinois College of Medicine; support and engage in equal employment opportunity principles.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in science, engineering, business administration, or a related field.
• Record of scholarly publication or active research involvement.
• Progressive experience managing research operations, grants administration, or innovation programs in an academic, clinical, or research environment.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing collaborative research initiatives and partnerships.
• Supervisory experience leading professional or technical staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D., or other terminal degree in a relevant discipline.
• Experience working in a medical college, academic health center, or comparable environment.
• Demonstrated success developing industry or corporate partnerships to support research and innovation.
• Certification in research administration (CRA, Illinois CRA, or equivalent).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong strategic planning, organizational and financial management skills, and budget literacy.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• Ability to balance strategic vision with operational execution in a complex academic and clinical environment.
• Commitment to advancing innovation and integrity in research and scholarship.
• Competence in study design, statistical methods, and interpretation as well as scientific publication.
• Awareness of what research idea constitutes novelty and significance from a funding perspective.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the position announcement close date. The budgeted salary range for this position is $150,000-$175,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization, except for sponsorship of a new H1B petition that would incur the $100,000 fee.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Monday June 1, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact wmmyers@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.