Director of Research Administration-Divisional (BSPH Finance)

We are seeking a Director of Research Administration-Divisional who will be responsible for overseeing all research administration operations within a division and ensuring alignment with the university’s research goals. This individual will supervise the daily pre- and post-award research administration of divisional research administration (RA) teams, support a culture centered on excellent customer service, and maintain successful relationships with DBOs, divisional RA staff, and Principal Investigators. The Director of Research Administration reports to the Divisional Business Officer or a leadership designee and is also accountable to the central University Research Administration leadership team. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, excellent communication abilities, and a commitment to fostering a positive and efficient work environment.

Job Scope/Complexity

The role involves high levels of interaction and coordination with the central JHU RA leader, RA Training Lead, DBOs, divisional RA staff, and PIs. The Director of Research Administration is responsible for implementing strategic plans, ensuring compliance with research administration policies, and supporting the professional growth of RA staff at the school. This role requires balancing multiple responsibilities and projects simultaneously, leading change initiatives, and ensuring the effective implementation of research administration processes. This role may oversee either all teams within a specific division or a single team that provides support to multiple divisions, which are less research-intensive.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Directly supervise the leader of each RA team within the division.
Supervise the pre- and post-award research administration business processes of the divisional RA teams.
Support a culture centered on delivering excellent customer service.
Maintain successful relationships and frequent communication with DBOs, staff, and PIs of research units.
Monitor workloads distributed across multiple divisional teams and adjust as portfolio sizes and active research faculty change.
Coordinate with the team leader(s) and DBO to evaluate the need for upscaling/downscaling teams.
Ensure compliance with University, State, and Federal Guidelines for pre- and post-award research administration transactions.
Establish and monitor internal control procedures.
Work with the Central RA Lead to implement strategic plans for improving processes and services.
Ensure the implementation of research administration policies and processes, and that staff are adequately trained.
Monitor Service Level Agreements (SLAs) closely and solve issues related to team performance immediately.
Maintain equal and efficient customer service from RA teams, regardless of size and composition.
Contribute to the development and implementation of the school's strategic plan alongside the DBO and other members of the Finance & Administration leadership team.
Identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement in research administration.
Work with other Directors of Research and the Central RA Lead to implement new technologies and processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
Provide leadership and guidance to research administration staff, ensuring they effectively implement the strategic vision for their respective departments.
Ensure departmental strategies align with the overall goals and objectives of the school and the divisional business office.
Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and university policies.
Coordinate with central offices and the Central RA Lead to regularly review and update policies to reflect changes in regulations and best practices.
Ensure a safe, inclusive work environment by managing risks, meeting health and safety requirements, and implementing risk management strategies.
Act as a key point of contact between the divisional business office, RA staff, and PIs, ensuring clear and effective communication.
Lead and manage change initiatives within research administration.
Set performance goals and conduct regular evaluations for the RA staff, addressing performance issues and providing constructive feedback as needed.
Implement professional development programs to enhance staff skills and performance.
Provide regular updates on operational activities and team performance to the Divisional Business Officer, while maintaining accountability to the Research Administration Central Lead.
Monitor Workday reports and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure adherence to SLAs and to identify and resolve variances.
Oversee the growth and development of divisional research administration team members.
Perform other related duties as requested.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field.
Eight years of related experience in sponsored research and/or financial positions, preferably in an academic or medical setting. Four of those years must include working in a leadership capacity with extensive management responsibilities, direct involvement in JHU grants and contracts, leadership development training projects, and serving as a recognized subject matter expert.
Additional education may substitute for required experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of JHU online systems for budgets, purchasing, and accounting.
Thorough knowledge and understanding of The Johns Hopkins University accounting system and related fiscal offices.

Technical Qualifications and Specialized Certifications

Thorough knowledge of external Federal guidelines/procedures for grants and contracts, including NIH, NSF, DOD, and NASA.
Knowledge of Excel, Access, and Word.
Knowledge of accounting and budgeting theory and practices.

Technical Skills and Expected Level of Proficiency

Business Acumen - Advanced
Change Management - Advanced
Data Analysis and Reporting - Advanced
Policy Development and Implementation - Advanced
Project Management - Advanced
Research Administration Knowledge - Advanced
Research Administration Systems - Advanced
Staff Training and Development - Advanced

The core technical skills listed are most essential; additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department needs.

Classified Title: Dir. Research Administration-Divisional
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Director of Research Administration-Divisional (BSPH Finance)
Role/Level/Range: L/04/LG
Starting Salary Range: $111,800 - $195,900 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Hybrid/School of Public Health
Department name: BSPH Research Admin
Personnel area: School of Public Health

Total Rewards
The referenced base salary range represents the low and high end of Johns Hopkins University’s salary range for this position. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, market conditions, education/training and other qualifications. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.

Education and Experience Equivalency
Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

Applicants Completing Studies
Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

Background Checks
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

Accommodation Information
If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit https://accessibility.jhu.edu/.

Vaccine Requirements
Johns Hopkins University requires all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.
The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Hybrid: On-site 1-2 days a week

Apply now »