"Research Administration Sr Mgr"

Posted: 26-Aug-25

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Categories: Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 267860

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 outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

This position will serve as the Administrative Director for Clinical and Data Science Research at the Kellogg Eye Center, with direct leadership of the Kellogg Clinical Research Center (KCRC) and involvement with the SOURCE initiative. The Administrative Director will provide strategic leadership and operational guidance for all KCRC activities, while also helping to shape and drive clinical and data science research priorities across the Kellogg Eye Center.

Leadership (50%):

• Leads the successful execution of ophthalmic clinical research by establishing and nurturing professional relationships with research investigators, research and clinical staff, industry sponsors, and all personnel involved in the conduct of clinical research.
• Actively fosters long-term collaborative partnerships with industry and seeks opportunities to bring in new externally sponsored clinical trial studies.
• Communicates with industry sponsors about study protocols, budget negotiations, contractual terms, and timelines, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements and alignment with the KCRC's strategic goals.
• Assures dissemination of information to enhance collaboration through all phases of the research process, from feasibility of new studies through termination.
• Provides oversight and ensures compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) for clinical research.
• Identifies, proposes, and implements innovative process improvements and alternative approaches to enhance operational efficiency and study quality.
• Develops and disseminates educational resources or training for staff and faculty on business development, budget negotiation, and research administration best practices.

Management (30%):

• Oversees service leads regarding interviewing, hiring, termination, promotions, compensation adjustments, training, mentoring, and performance reviews. Works in partnership with the lead study coordinator and compliance supervisor to ensure effective management and ongoing professional development of KCRC personnel.
• Supports staff professional growth through active mentoring, performance coaching, and leadership development opportunities.
• Cultivates productive collaborations with faculty, clinical staff, and units across the University of Michigan and partner institutions to forward KCRC’s strategic goals.
• Collaborates with service leads to build project teams based on study complexity, accrual goals, staff training and experience, and workload equity.
• Ensures team compliance with departmental policies, systems (CTMS, EDC, Effort Tracking, etc.), and study monitoring plans.
• Handles complaints, grievances, and disciplinary actions as necessary.
• Develops and fosters relationships with study team members at sponsor organizations, other departmental units, and institutional partners (CTSU, IRB, ORSP, etc.), including regular communication and problem-solving with industry contacts.

Financial/Other (20%):

• Demonstrates fiscal responsibility for the team's impact on departmental budget by developing effort estimates, controlling costs, and improving efficiencies.
• Leads or enhances the use of data-driven tools and dashboards to track center performance indicators, workloads, and research productivity for continuous quality and process improvement.
• Pre-Award; serves as primary liaison between department-based study teams and the CTSU
• Provide expertise on confidentiality agreements, data use agreements, and material transfer agreements relevant to clinical research.
• Oversees ongoing review of variances between budgeted and actual effort and their impact on study account health; initiates change in study budgets, team costs, and efficiency as needed.
• Ensures proper and timely use of clinical trial management systems (e.g., CTMS) to facilitate patient and staff effort billing.
• Reviews and leverages effort tracking reports to maintain optimal workload and KCRC recharge.
• Partners with CTSUs post-award team and study coordinators to ensure compliance in managing clinical trials.
• Act as the primary contact for project logistics and communication between faculty, sponsors, and University offices.
• Advises faculty on long-term financial viability of studies
• Performs all other assigned job duties and responsibilities.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor degree and at least 5 years of progressive grant and contract experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in clinical research management or a related field, preferably within complex academic health systems.
• Proven experience in industry sponsor negotiation, contract review, and business development opportunities to expand clinical trial portfolios.
• Experience with data management, data analytics, and dashboard development, utilizing Health System Data Warehouse (HSDW) as a data source and tools such as Tableau, SAP Business Objects, and Excel to inform operational decisions and monitor performance metrics.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a clinical research or research administration setting.
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and regulatory compliance in clinical research.
• Excellent critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interpret and effectively communicate department, university, and sponsor guidelines and policies.
• High level of proficiency, speed, and accuracy with Excel (including advanced data analysis and visualization functions); demonstrated adaptability to quickly learn new technologies in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaborate productively within teams.
• Strong project follow-through, with a track record of meeting high work standards and deadlines while managing competing priorities.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to function productively and positively in an ever-changing, fast-paced setting.
• Supportive of, and active participant in, change initiatives to improve service, efficiency, and productivity.
• Excellent customer service skills, with a record of strong attendance and dependability.

Desired Qualifications:

• Masters degree or higher preferred.
• Knowledge of university financial practices and processes.
• Proficiency with university administrative and business tools, such as Business Objects, MReports, eResearch, and HSDW.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with faculty, staff, and sponsors.
• Proven track record of process optimization and workflow improvement.
• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Supervisory and/or mentoring experience with professional staff or trainees.
• Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic clinical research environment.