Associate Director, Research & Underserved Medicine Programs

Job Summary

The Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah is dedicated to advancing health through excellence in education, research, and community engagement. As part of our evolving commitment to research education and service to rural and underserved communities, we are seeking an Associate Director to provide operational leadership and administrative oversight for the EVEREST Office of Medical Student Research Education and the Underserved Medicine umbrella (including TRUE , RUUTE , RPCT , and related scholar pathways).

The Associate Director serves as the central operational leader and coordinating hub for these integrated initiatives. This role ensures seamless administrative infrastructure, longitudinal student tracking, fiscal stewardship, and cross-program alignment across research TRAILs and Underserved Medicine Scholars programs.

Together with faculty leaders who oversee academic mentorship, curriculum content, and retain scholarly oversight, the Associate Director provides the structural, logistical, and administrative leadership necessary to sustain and scale these programs across the four‑year medical curriculum.

Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Provide operational leadership for the EVEREST Office of Medical Student Research Education and the Underserved Medicine umbrella.
• Support the continued integration and alignment of TRUE , RUUTE , RPCT , and related scholar pathways under a cohesive administrative structure.
• Develop and maintain administrative systems that support program growth, efficiency, and scalability.
• Collaborate with faculty TRAIL leaders and thematic directors to ensure alignment between operational infrastructure and curricular goals.

Longitudinal Student Infrastructure

• Oversee centralized tracking systems for student participation, required hours, rotations, capstones, research outputs, and scholar milestones.
• Ensure accurate data management and reporting across all research and underserved medicine initiatives.
• Monitor student progression in collaboration with faculty leads to support longitudinal professional identity development.
• Serve as the primary administrative point of contact for student program requirements and logistics.

Financial & Administrative Management

• Manage shared budgets across EVEREST and Underserved Medicine programs in partnership with finance teams.
• Oversee purchasing, reimbursements, stipends, contracts, and financial documentation.
• Coordinate meeting agendas, strategic planning sessions, and leadership communications.
• Support grant administration and reporting as applicable.

Curriculum & Platform Oversight

• Maintain and oversee Canvas platforms and related learning systems.
• Coordinate logistics for speaker series, workshops, and interprofessional programming.
• Ensure program materials align with broader medical school curriculum requirements.

Data, Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement

• Produce annual reports and impact summaries for institutional leadership and external stakeholders.
• Support scholar application and admissions processes in coordination with thematic directors.
• Facilitate communication between research education leadership, underserved medicine faculty, and institutional partners.

The responsibilities listed above are not exhaustive and may expand as programs evolve.

Associate Director, Program Management

Direct/Manage/Supervise the design and implementation of programs that carry out the mission of the university. Develop strategies and goals to create programs offering the greatest impact to the community. Determine short- and long‑term program plans to meet organization goals. Oversee the coordination and daily work activities of the programs. Represent the interest of assigned program participants, both inside and outside of the organization. Manage volunteers, members, and staff. Third‑level manager. Manages the activities of first‑level and second‑level managers and/or supervisors. Responsible for hiring, firing, performance appraisals, and pay reviews. Broad knowledge of the field with proven leadership skills.

Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 10 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 8 years of directly related work experience.

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, Program Management: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 10 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 8 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

• Experience in medical education or academic health sciences environments
• Strong proficiency in data management systems and learning management platforms (e.g., Canvas)
• Experience managing multi‑faced programs across departments or units
• Familiarity with rural health, underserved medicine, or research education programming

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (URS). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy‑related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.