Senior Associate Director of Institutional Research Funding

Job Description Summary

The Senior Associate Director of Institutional Research Funding serves as the central operational leader for the OVPR's portfolio of institutional funding programs. This role manages the competitive review and award processes for OVPR's centrally managed funding opportunities which include the University Research Foundation (URF), Research Facilities Development Fund (RFDF), Health Research Formula Funds (HRFF), Discovering the Future Fund, Community Engagement Research Fund, and others, as well as ad hoc and limited submission funding programs.

Operating with significant independent judgment and authority, the Senior Associate Director oversees university-wide platforms that support the research funding ecosystem-including InfoReady, Pivot, and Nature Masterclass-and leads outreach, communications, and training efforts to drive engagement across Penn's schools and research centers.

The role also carries significant analytical responsibility. The Senior Associate Director collaborates closely with the Vice Provost for Research to develop metrics, produce data-driven reports, and communicate insights about Penn's research funding portfolio. This work involves active partnership with the Office of Research Services, Institutional Research and Analysis, Central Communications, and Development and Alumni Relations.

Job Responsibilities

• Institutional Funding Programs: Leads the full award lifecycle of OVPR's centrally administered internal funding programs.
• Limited Submission and Ad Hoc Funding Opportunities: Manages Penn's limited submission program, through which the University nominates a single applicant to high-profile external funding competitions.
• Research Funding Data Analysis and Reporting: Responsible for research funding data analysis and reporting in support of the Vice Provost for Research.
• Institutional Research Platforms: Operational lead for OVPR-sponsored platforms that support the research community across the university.
• Institutional Research Funding Communications and Training: Plays a central and driving role in how the OVPR communicates institutional funding opportunities and builds the research funding literacy of Penn's academic community.