Associate Director, Operations

Associate Director, Operations

Job Summary

The Associate Director for Operations provides senior leadership and operational oversight for the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) at the University of Utah. Reporting to the Executive Director of OSP, this position is responsible for coordinating and advancing core operational functions that support the University's research enterprise, including post-award administration, business operations, workflow management, compliance implementation, systems coordination, administrative infrastructure, and cross-unit operational alignment.
This role serves as a key operational leader within OSP and works closely with institutional partners across Research Management & Compliance, Grants and Contracts Accounting, Research Analytics & Data, ORIS, Financial Services, and academic units to support consistent, efficient, and compliant research administration processes. The Associate Director helps ensure operational stability, service quality, and organizational readiness in an increasingly complex and highly regulated research environment.
The position is responsible for managing operational staff and workflows, supporting implementation of institutional and sponsor requirements, improving coordination across operational teams, developing metrics and reporting frameworks, and driving continuous process improvement initiatives. This role also provides leadership in operational planning, systems governance, and service delivery to support the long-term scalability and effectiveness of the University's research administration infrastructure.
This is a hybrid work opportunity.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu



Responsibilities
This role provides senior leadership and comprehensive operational oversight across OSP including business operations, post-award processing and support, research administration systems governance, administrative infrastructure, and cross-unit collaboration. These functions support institutional compliance, operational efficiency, and the stability of the University's research enterprise.

• Strategic Leadership & Operational Oversight
• Team Management and Workforce Development (team of 5+)
• Post-Award Processing & Support for Faculty and Sponsors
• Research Administration systems governance
• Administrative Infrastructure
• Cross-unit Collaboration
• Operational Management & Workflow
• Staff Leadership & Development
• Metrics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Associate Director, Business Operations Analysis Management: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 10 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 8 years of directly related work experience.


Preferences
Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Significant experience in academic research administration, sponsored projects administration, or closely related higher education operational environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading operational, post-award, or compliance-sensitive functions within a complex research enterprise.
• Experience supervising professional staff and managing high-volume operational workflows in a service-oriented environment.
• Working knowledge of federal sponsored project regulations and frameworks, including Uniform Guidance, subrecipient monitoring, cost principles, audit requirements, and sponsor compliance expectations.
• Experience working with research administration systems and enterprise platforms, including electronic research administration (eRA) systems, workflow tools, financial systems, and reporting environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional coordination among administrative, financial, compliance, and research support offices.
• Experience developing or implementing operational process improvements, governance frameworks, metrics, service standards, or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to navigate complex institutional environments and manage competing priorities.
• Experience supporting VA-related research administration activities, intergovernmental personnel agreements (IPAs), or other complex institutional collaborations is preferred.
• Advanced degree and/or professional certification related to research administration, business operations, compliance, public administration, or a related field is preferred.

Special Instructions


Requisition Number: PRN45028B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: 8am – 5pm / Mon-Fri
Department: 00644 - Office of Sponsored Projects
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $90,000 - $125,000
Close Date: 8/12/2026
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/201878




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