Senior Research Program Lead

Join the Office of Research as the Senior Research Program Lead, where you will lead complex research programs, sponsored projects, and strategic initiatives that advance the University's research mission. You will provide leadership in project and portfolio management, staff supervision, fiscal oversight, compliance, and strategic program development while partnering with researchers, sponsors, and university stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes. If you are an experienced leader with expertise in research administration, sponsored programs, project management, and team development, we encourage you to apply and help drive research excellence and innovation across Alaska and beyond.

As the Senior Research Program Lead, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for a portfolio of complex research programs, sponsored projects, and institutional initiatives that support the Office of Research's mission and priorities. You will establish project governance structures, work plans, milestones, reporting frameworks, and performance measures; oversee project execution across multiple concurrent initiatives; monitor risks and resource allocation; and coordinate with Principal Investigators, research teams, university offices, and external partners to ensure projects are implemented efficiently, compliantly, and in alignment with sponsor and institutional requirements.

You will supervise and mentor research administration and project management staff, providing guidance on workload management, performance expectations, professional development, and complex project matters. You will oversee fiscal and compliance activities across assigned portfolios, including budget development, forecasting, expenditure monitoring, labor planning, subawards, procurement, reporting, and closeout activities. You will review complex financial information, identify risks and corrective actions, ensure adherence to sponsor terms and university policies, and provide leadership with operational, financial, and staffing analyses that support effective decision-making and long-term program sustainability.

You will advance strategic research initiatives, funding opportunities, and institutional partnerships by supporting proposal development, award implementation, and the coordination of complex multi-unit and multi-institutional projects. You will prepare executive-level reports, presentations, briefings, and recommendations for senior leadership; represent the Office of Research in meetings with sponsors, stakeholders, and research partners; facilitate cross-functional collaboration; manage sensitive communications; and serve as a senior operational resource for complex project and program matters that impact the University's research enterprise.

To thrive in this role, the candidate should bring extensive experience in research administration, sponsored project management, and the oversight of complex externally funded programs within a highly regulated environment. Success requires advanced knowledge of federal, state, university, and sponsor requirements; strong fiscal and operational management skills; and the ability to oversee compliance, budgeting, risk mitigation, resource allocation, and program performance across a diverse research portfolio. The ideal candidate is a strategic and analytical leader who can interpret complex regulations and sponsor requirements, develop effective administrative processes, make sound recommendations, and drive continuous improvement in research operations.

A successful candidate will also demonstrate exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills, with experience supervising professional staff, managing high-value multi-stakeholder projects, and collaborating effectively with senior administrators, Principal Investigators, sponsors, government agencies, and external partners. The ability to exercise independent judgment, coordinate complex activities across organizational boundaries, and maintain accountability for project outcomes is essential. Experience in higher education, federal research, government, or similarly regulated sponsored-program environments is highly desirable, as is experience managing federally funded research portfolios, advising senior research leadership, and leading research administration teams. Professional certifications such as PMP, PgMP, CRA, or related credentials are preferred but not required.

Minimum Qualifications:

PhD and four years research experience at the postgraduate level in a field relevant to the research, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Position Details:

This position is located in Anchorage, Alaska, and flexible on-site/hybrid work arrangements may be considered in accordance with UA regulation. This is a term-funded, full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package . UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule , Grade 82, based on education and experience.

We review applications on a rolling basis. Because we may close the posting once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates is established, we encourage early submission. Please note that once a viable pool is identified, further applications may not be reviewed.

The University of Alaska (UA) requires employees to work on-site based on operational and business needs. Hybrid and remote work arrangements may be considered only for positions specifically designated and advertised as eligible for hybrid or remote work. Any approved arrangement will be based on the position’s duties, operational needs, and the employee’s ability to effectively perform the work remotely.

To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE .

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Kelsie Kingston at View email address on us.fitly.work.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

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This is a term-funded position reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at View email address on us.fitly.work .

The University of Alaska () is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination () against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

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