Research Administration Director
University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
Research Administration Director (260521)
Job Description
Organization Research Administration Office
Job Location Schedule Full-time
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8AM - 5PM
Work Type: Onsite
Salary Range: Commensurate with experience.
Benefits Provided: Yes
Required Attachments: Resume, Cover Letter
Job Description The Research Administration Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the university's grants, contracts, and sponsored programs administration. The Director ensures the effective management of the full lifecycle of externally funded research and other sponsored activities, including proposal development, submission, award negotiation, compliance, and post-award administrative coordination. This position oversees research administration staff and works closely with faculty investigators, university leadership, and administrative units to support the growth, integrity, and compliance of the institution's research enterprise. The Director ensures adherence to federal, state, sponsor, and institutional regulations while implementing efficient processes and best practices for sponsored program administration.
Duties
Ensures university's compliance with state law, sponsor and university policies and procedures.
Supervises and evaluates staff responsible for the management of grants and contracts; sponsored and non-sponsored.
Develops and implements departmental procedures for grant and contract review and processing in accordance with state law and sponsor and university regulations.
Plans, forecasts and sets departmental objectives for the management of grants and both non-research and research related contracts.
Assists other management with the development of procedures for improving efficiency.
Serves as delegated authority to sign grant proposals and contracts for incoming research, training, and service funding to the university.
Develops and directs training of staff on university and sponsor policies and procedures.
Coordinates efforts among Legal Counsel, Grants and Contracts Accounting, Office of Compliance, IRB, IBC, and IACUC offices and Office of Technology Development related to the administration of grants and contracts.
Facilitates communications with investigators and sponsors for the resolution of issues related to grant and contract administration and negotiation.
Develops and implements procedures for grant/contract review and processing in accordance with state law and sponsor and university regulations.
Establishes guidelines for proposal development of sponsored program projects, including approval of re-budget requests, extensions, carry forward requests, and amendments to ensure institutional compliance with agency and university policies.
Plans, forecasts, and sets departmental objectives for the management of grants and both non-research and research-related contracts.
Implements educational programs for faculty and staff regarding proposal development, electronic submissions, project and contract compliance.
Directs development of materials and training of staff.
Coordinates efforts related to the administration of grants and contracts with Legal Counsel, Financial Services, Office of Compliance, IRB, IBC, and IACUC offices, and the Intellectual Property Management Office.
Facilitates communication with investigators and sponsors for the resolution of issues related to grant and contract administration and negotiation.
Oversees maintenance of databases.
Prepares proposal and award reports; and other reports as requested by supervisor, faculty, staff, and administration.
Performs various duties as needed to successfully fulfill the function of the position.
Job Requirements Required Education: Bachelor's degree,
AND:
72 months of experience, 24 months of which includes supervisory/managerial responsibilities, in any combination of the following areas: procurement (federal, state or industrial), proposal submissions, contract negotiations, grant and contract administration; accounting and/or financial analysis, financial administration in sponsored program administration.
36 months of the experience must be directly related to sponsored program administration.
Skills
Possesses advanced organizational and management skills that encompass strong leadership, superior communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong leadership and managerial competencies.
Ability to balance unpredictable work flows.
Flexible.
Strong attention to detail.
Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical competencies.
Ability to make independent decisions and recommend unique solutions.
Knowledge of state, federal, and institutional regulations related to research administration, as well as the ability to review, analyze and interpret such regulations, including OMB Circulars A-21, A-133, and A-110.
Demonstrated experience in applying these principles in an academic environment.
Certifications None
Advertised Physical Requirements
Physical:
Able to engage in repetitive motions and communicate effectively.
Environmental:
Standard office environment.
Departmental Preferences
Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or similar credential.
Experience in an academic medical center or R1 research university.
Experience with electronic research administration systems.
Experience managing large collaborative or multi-institutional proposals.
Supervision 12 Lead Contract/Grant Admin - ORA Sr. Contract/Grant Admin - ORA Contract/Grant Admin - ORA
Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma The University of Oklahoma values our community's unique talents, perspectives, and experiences. At OU, we aspire to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere. You Belong Here!
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The University, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, gender identity/expression (consistent with applicable law), age (40 or older), religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services.
Hiring contingent upon a Background Check? : Yes
Special Indications : None
Job Posting Mar 17, 2026
Job Description Help Required Attachments
Documents required for this position are listed under the “Required Attachments” section of this job listing. You will be required to upload and attach these documents in the application process.
Important:
ALL required documents must be attached to your job application or your documents will not be visible to the hiring department!
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Organization Research Administration Office
Job Location Schedule Full-time
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8AM - 5PM
Work Type: Onsite
Salary Range: Commensurate with experience.
Benefits Provided: Yes
Required Attachments: Resume, Cover Letter
Job Description The Research Administration Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the university's grants, contracts, and sponsored programs administration. The Director ensures the effective management of the full lifecycle of externally funded research and other sponsored activities, including proposal development, submission, award negotiation, compliance, and post-award administrative coordination. This position oversees research administration staff and works closely with faculty investigators, university leadership, and administrative units to support the growth, integrity, and compliance of the institution's research enterprise. The Director ensures adherence to federal, state, sponsor, and institutional regulations while implementing efficient processes and best practices for sponsored program administration.
Duties
Ensures university's compliance with state law, sponsor and university policies and procedures.
Supervises and evaluates staff responsible for the management of grants and contracts; sponsored and non-sponsored.
Develops and implements departmental procedures for grant and contract review and processing in accordance with state law and sponsor and university regulations.
Plans, forecasts and sets departmental objectives for the management of grants and both non-research and research related contracts.
Assists other management with the development of procedures for improving efficiency.
Serves as delegated authority to sign grant proposals and contracts for incoming research, training, and service funding to the university.
Develops and directs training of staff on university and sponsor policies and procedures.
Coordinates efforts among Legal Counsel, Grants and Contracts Accounting, Office of Compliance, IRB, IBC, and IACUC offices and Office of Technology Development related to the administration of grants and contracts.
Facilitates communications with investigators and sponsors for the resolution of issues related to grant and contract administration and negotiation.
Develops and implements procedures for grant/contract review and processing in accordance with state law and sponsor and university regulations.
Establishes guidelines for proposal development of sponsored program projects, including approval of re-budget requests, extensions, carry forward requests, and amendments to ensure institutional compliance with agency and university policies.
Plans, forecasts, and sets departmental objectives for the management of grants and both non-research and research-related contracts.
Implements educational programs for faculty and staff regarding proposal development, electronic submissions, project and contract compliance.
Directs development of materials and training of staff.
Coordinates efforts related to the administration of grants and contracts with Legal Counsel, Financial Services, Office of Compliance, IRB, IBC, and IACUC offices, and the Intellectual Property Management Office.
Facilitates communication with investigators and sponsors for the resolution of issues related to grant and contract administration and negotiation.
Oversees maintenance of databases.
Prepares proposal and award reports; and other reports as requested by supervisor, faculty, staff, and administration.
Performs various duties as needed to successfully fulfill the function of the position.
Job Requirements Required Education: Bachelor's degree,
AND:
72 months of experience, 24 months of which includes supervisory/managerial responsibilities, in any combination of the following areas: procurement (federal, state or industrial), proposal submissions, contract negotiations, grant and contract administration; accounting and/or financial analysis, financial administration in sponsored program administration.
36 months of the experience must be directly related to sponsored program administration.
Skills
Possesses advanced organizational and management skills that encompass strong leadership, superior communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong leadership and managerial competencies.
Ability to balance unpredictable work flows.
Flexible.
Strong attention to detail.
Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical competencies.
Ability to make independent decisions and recommend unique solutions.
Knowledge of state, federal, and institutional regulations related to research administration, as well as the ability to review, analyze and interpret such regulations, including OMB Circulars A-21, A-133, and A-110.
Demonstrated experience in applying these principles in an academic environment.
Certifications None
Advertised Physical Requirements
Physical:
Able to engage in repetitive motions and communicate effectively.
Environmental:
Standard office environment.
Departmental Preferences
Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or similar credential.
Experience in an academic medical center or R1 research university.
Experience with electronic research administration systems.
Experience managing large collaborative or multi-institutional proposals.
Supervision 12 Lead Contract/Grant Admin - ORA Sr. Contract/Grant Admin - ORA Contract/Grant Admin - ORA
Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma The University of Oklahoma values our community's unique talents, perspectives, and experiences. At OU, we aspire to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere. You Belong Here!
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The University, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, gender identity/expression (consistent with applicable law), age (40 or older), religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services.
Hiring contingent upon a Background Check? : Yes
Special Indications : None
Job Posting Mar 17, 2026
Job Description Help Required Attachments
Documents required for this position are listed under the “Required Attachments” section of this job listing. You will be required to upload and attach these documents in the application process.
Important:
ALL required documents must be attached to your job application or your documents will not be visible to the hiring department!
#J-18808-Ljbffr