Senior Director, Research Administration

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University Overview The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023. Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play. The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more. Posted Job Title Senior Director, Research Administration Job Profile Title Director D, Research, Administration Job Description Summary The Senior Director, Research Administration serves as the senior administrative leader and final departmental authority for all research administration functions supporting the Department of Surgery (DOS) across the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), Penn Presbyterian (PMC), Pennsylvania Hospital (PAH), and the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM). Reporting to the CFO and working in close strategic partnership with the Chair, Vice Chairs of Research, and COO, this role holds enterprise-level accountability for advancing the strategic growth and national competitiveness of the DOS research enterprise. The position leads the full pre and post-award lifecycle for a $26M+ sponsored programs portfolio, inclusive of basic, translational, and clinical research, as well as industry and PI-initiated clinical trials (IDE/IND). In close partnership with the DOS Chair, Vice Chairs of Research, COO, and CFO, the Senior Director provides strategic oversight and financial stewardship of all research funding streams including grants, contracts, endowments, gifts, and PSOM funds, and holds ultimate accountability for compliance with sponsor, federal, and institutional requirements. The Senior Director drives strategic growth of the research portfolio, leads infrastructure development, and enhances faculty support across divisions. The role drives operational excellence by integrating clinical research finance with departmental research administration, championing process redesign, data and systems integration, and KPI-driven performance management. Serving as the principal departmental representative with PSOM central offices (e.g., Research Services, Office of Clinical Research, Office of General Counsel), the Senior Director directs and sustains high-impact partnerships with Division Chiefs and Directors of Division Administration to enable portfolio growth, support timely onboarding of new faculty, and develop scalable, high-performing support models aligned with DOS strategic priorities. Job Description Job Responsibilities - Provide strategic leadership and enterprise-level oversight of pre- and post-award administration across the DOS sponsored research portfolio, ensuring operational excellence and fiscal stewardship in support of the Chair, Vice Chairs, Division Chiefs, and departmental leadership. Lead onboarding new and recruited faculty research programs, including workforce planning and staffing assessments, research space planning, COA/COI transfers, grant and clinical trial change-of-institution submissions, and required regulatory filings. Direct divisional research administrators in portfolio monitoring, financial operations, and compliance with departmental standards. Deliver monthly and quarterly financial reports to the Chair, Vice Chairs, Division Chiefs, and Administrators, providing comprehensive analysis of grant, endowment, gift, and PSOM fund activity, expenditures, projections, and available balances. Serve as the senior administrative authority for departmental research initiatives and strategic research operations. - Provide strategic oversight of financial and administrative operations supporting the department's research, academic, and teaching missions. Lead development and management of research and academic budgets, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and long-term financial sustainability. Direct high-level monthly financial reviews and variance anal

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