Research Administration & Operations Director

Job Title: Research Administration & Operations Director

Grade: 35

Salary: $158,345 - $185,000

The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene is seeking a qualified candidate to fill a full-time Research Administration & Operations Director for the Office of Mental Health (OMH).

The Research Administration and Operations Director will provide OMH Central Office coordination for the administrative, operational, and compliance infrastructure supporting the research enterprise across the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and its affiliated research institutions.

Reporting to senior OMH leadership, the Director serves as a central steward of the research administration framework for OMH, ensuring that research conducted across OMH-operated facilities, affiliated academic institutions, and partner organizations is carried out with the highest standards of scientific integrity, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and public accountability.

The Director will collaborate closely with OMH executive, research institute and psychiatric center leadership as well as the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene.

Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Work with OMH leadership to develop and execute a strategic vision for the research administration infrastructure supporting OMH's research enterprise.
• Advise OMH executive leadership and government officials on research policy and compliance issues.
• Promote research collaborations between OMH facilities, academic institutions, federal agencies, and external partners.
• Represent OMH in interactions with state and federal agencies, research sponsors, and external research organizations.
• Provide executive oversight for research administration functions supporting OMH research activities, including Research compliance programs, Clinical research operations, Research data infrastructure, Research training and workforce development, and more.
• Coordinate research administration activities across OMH clinical facilities and affiliated research institutions.
• Develop and maintain administrative policies, procedures, and operational standards governing research activities conducted across OMH facilities.
• Ensure the effective operation of research support services that enable investigators to conduct research efficiently and compliantly.
• Oversee the implementation and optimization of research information systems, including grants management systems, clinical trial management systems, and research compliance systems.
• Promote operational efficiency through continuous process improvement and modernization of research administrative systems.
• Provide leadership for OMH research compliance programs, including: Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), Institutional Review Board (IRB) oversight, Research integrity and responsible conduct of research, Conflict of interest management and more.
• Ensure research conducted under OMH authority complies with applicable regulations and policies, including but not limited to: 45 CFR 46 (Common Rule), FDA regulations governing clinical investigations, HIPAA and privacy regulations, and more.
• Promote a culture of research integrity, ethical conduct, and accountability throughout the OMH research enterprise.
• Serve as a key liaison between OMH research leadership and other government and institutional leadership

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and 9 years of experience, 4 years of which need to be managerial.
• D. or master's degree may substitute for one year of specialized experience;
• D. may substitute for two years of specialized experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral or professional degree (PhD, MD, JD, DrPH, or equivalent).
• Certification in research administration or research compliance (e.g., CHC, CHRC, CHPC, CRA, CPRA, or similar).
• Experience working within state or federal government research environments.
• Experience managing research programs in mental health, behavioral health, or public health.
• Demonstrated success building research collaborations across institutions.
• Experience in research administration within a government agency, academic medical center, or research institution.
• Demonstrated expertise in: Research compliance and regulatory frameworks, Human subjects protection programs, and Clinical research operations
• Experience working within or with government agencies, public health systems, or large healthcare organizations.
• Able to lead large, multidisciplinary teams and complex organizational initiatives.
• Strong strategic leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Work Location: New York State Psychiatric Institute - 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY OR Nathan S. Kline Institute - 140 Old Orangeburg Road Orangeburg, NY

Sponsorship Policy: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. RFMH does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas at this time

To Apply: Submit an application through our website at https://rfmh.applicantpro.com/jobs/. Please note only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

The Mission of the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH) is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a focus on providing hope and supporting recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply. RFMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, RFMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring that RFMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency. RFMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

The Research Foundation is a private not-for-profit corporation and is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. Excellent Benefits Package. Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer - Disabled/Veteran, 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) compliant.