Director of Research Administration

Jaeb Center for Health Research Position Title: Director of Research Administration Classification: Exempt Supervises: Yes Date: March 2026 Summary: The Director of Research Administration oversees the organization's research administration functions across contracts, grants administration (including federal award compliance), study budget development for new business, sponsor liaison support before contract execution, and post-award/contract financial administration, including study budget oversight and effort/FTE reporting. The role also holds primary responsibility for coordinating the organization's Single Audit. This position reports to the Chief Financial Officer and partners closely with the President to ensure research administration processes are compliant, efficient, and aligned with organizational priorities. Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Contracts Department Oversight - Lead and oversee contracting activities (e.g., amendments, subcontracts/flow-down agreements, negotiations) - Develop, maintain, and continually refine contract templates and standard language to promote consistency and efficiency - Maintain a contracts negotiation playbook defining acceptable/standard terms, preferred fallback positions, and escalation thresholds - Serve as a senior reviewer for complex, high-risk, or non-standard terms - Train and mentor team members on contract drafting workflows, negotiation strategy, and documentation standards 2. Grants Administration and Federal Award Compliance (NIH) - Lead and oversee pre-award and post-award grants administration - Ensure compliant practices for proposal submission, budgeting, award setup, reporting, documentation, and closeout - Serve as the internal subject-matter leader for NIH/federal grants administration 3. Study Budget Development for New Business (Grants and Sponsored Contracts) - Oversee development and review of study budgets for new awards and new business - Partner with operational and scientific teams on budget and administrative requirements during proposal and contracting phases 4. Post-Award & Contract Financial Administration and Effort Reporting - Oversee post-award/contract financial administration related to study budgets - Establish and maintain processes for effort/FTE reporting and management - Coordinate with finance and operational teams to ensure study financial reporting needs are met - Serve as the primary contact for the external audit team for the Single Audit Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities: - Strong knowledge of federal grants administration, including NIH awards and Uniform Guidance compliance - Experience managing sponsored research contracts and related agreements - Ability to oversee complex proposal development and study budget preparation - Strong leadership and team management skills - Excellent written and verbal communication skills - Strong organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail Education and Experience: - Bachelor's degree and at least 10 years of experience in research administration required, including a minimum of 5 years in a leadership or supervisory role - Master's degree (MBA, MPA, MPH, or related field) preferred - Significant experience in research administration with direct responsibility for federal grants compliance, preferably including NIH awards - Experience in a CRO, nonprofit research organization, academic research administration office, or similarly complex sponsored-research environment preferred Work Environment: This position operates in a professional office and/or remote (home-based) work environment. This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time (ET). Equal Employment Opportunity: Jaeb Center for Health Research provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.