Director of Research Administration

Posting Information

Posting Information
Department
Office of Sponsored Programs-621100

Career Area
Research Professionals

Posting Open Date
06/25/2026

Application Deadline
07/08/2026

Open Until Filled
No

Position Type
Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title
Director of Research Administration

Appointment Type
EHRA Non-Faculty

Position Number
20017255

Vacancy ID
NF0009846

Full Time/Part Time
Full-Time Permanent

FTE
1

Hours per week
40

Position Location
North Carolina, US

Hiring Range
Dependent on Qualifications

Proposed Start Date
08/01/2026

Position Information
Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities . Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package , paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) partners with the research community to support and advance the University's research mission by providing leadership and expertise in research administration. OSP facilitates and manages all aspects of sponsored research administration for over $1B in sponsored awards each year while developing and maintaining strong relationships with campus partners and external sponsors.

OSP is responsible for the following primary functions: (1) proposal review and submission, (2) award negotiation, (3) award management, (4) financial reporting and cash management, (5) F&A rate development, negotiation, and review, (6) cost analysis and research service center (recharge) rate development, (7) monitoring and oversight of time and effort reporting, (8) oversight of regulatory compliance, (9) training and development for research administration personnel, and (10) Project closeout and final reporting requirements. OSP provides complete sponsored project life cycle support (sometimes known as pre-award and post-award services) to faculty and staff.

There are four functional areas of responsibility within the Office of Sponsored Programs, which have the following types of positions: (1) program administration; (2) accounting, financial reporting, and cash management; (3) data management reporting and analysis; and (4) financial compliance, effort reporting, cost studies, and cost accounting standards (CAS).

OSP serves as the official institutional signatory for the Chancellor and is responsible for reviewing and authorizing proposal submissions, as well as negotiating and administering awards on behalf of the University. These activities include monitoring institutional compliance for research and training activities, pre-award services, billing and financial reporting, cash management, cost analysis and compliance of research-related activities, verification of technical report and patent & invention report submissions by principal investigators (PIs), award closeout, and the implementation of information technology into research administration activities. OSP's centralized administrative functions facilitate the development and implementation of standardized policies & procedures across the University. They also provide training opportunities to improve University-wide efficiencies and communication to increase the quality of research administration.

Position Summary
The primary purpose of the Director of Research Administration position is to provide executive leadership of sponsored research activities campus-wide supporting sponsored research across the university. This includes the oversight, management, and submission of proposals to ensure compliance with the institution's academic and research policy, providing substantive professional advice on the development of proposals, and extensive negotiation with sponsoring agencies with regard to the terms and conditions that govern the conduct of sponsored research.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Research Administration, this position will oversee the daily operations related to pre-award and post-award compliance and program requirements. The position will ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and university policies regarding sponsored research award management. The position will foster a culture of collaboration both within the Office of Sponsored Programs as well as with the campus community and external sponsors.

The Director of Research Administration must work collaboratively with other members of the leadership team to set office-wide goals and objectives, define team member roles and responsibilities across the award life cycle, and assess and track workload volume and complexity. They will be integral to building a positive team culture and keeping the team engaged with a focus on both strong campus support and compliance. The Director will represent the university to sponsors and to university administrators. They will provide advice and leadership on complex risk management issues.

The Director will provide supervision, mentoring, and leadership to a team of 3 to 4 Research Administration Managers who each manage a team of 4 to 6 Sponsored Projects Specialists.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Masters with 2+ yrs supervisory experience and 7+ years of relevant experience; or Bachelors with 4+ yrs supervisory experience and 7+ years of relevant experience

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Selected candidate must demonstrate the following:
* Ability to provide effective leadership to a team of professional staff in a multi-functional, dynamic, fast-paced and ever-changing environment, including: training; evaluating and managing the performance of employees; establishing individual and team goals; providing constructive and timely feedback regarding job performance; and developing and monitoring professional development plans.
* Ability to handle significant stress and a large workload.
* Advanced ability to identify highly complex problems and implement appropriate solutions.
* Advanced ability to rapidly review and accurately analyze policies, procedures, regulations, statutes, and complex documents and ability to interpret and explain policies, procedures, regulations, statutes and their underlying principles to a variety of audiences, including faculty, department chairs and deans, managers, staff, and external sponsors.
* Advanced knowledge of research administration policies, procedures, and practices of federal and non-federal sponsors pre-award and/or post-award environment. Candidates with experience in only one of these areas must be committee to developing expertise in both pre- and post- award in a timely basis once in the position.
* Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted contracting and subcontracting principles and practices, and applicable Codes of Federal Regulations (including 2 CFR Part 200).
* Experience in the use, development and implementation of management information systems.
* Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment across organizational units and at all levels, including faculty, deans, central administration and senior institutional officials.
* Highest level of professional and personal integrity.
* Strong communication and customer service skills.
* Demonstrated strong organizational, time management, and prioritization skills.
* Demonstrated ability to perform work with a high degree of accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness.
* Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
* Sponsored projects contracting experience.
* Experience in a university sponsored research office or equivalent setting.
* Experience with RAMSeS, electronic grants administration systems such as Grants.gov, Research.gov, eRA commons, Fastlane and similar Research Administration systems.
* Strongly prefer experience in reviewing and submitting proposals utilizing electronic proposal submission processes and funding mechanisms employed by various extramural sponsors.
* Strongly prefer experience directing and managing the proposal review and submission process; negotiation and acceptance of award terms; and management of related post-award (non-financial) sponsored research activities.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions

Quick Link

Posting Contact Information
Department Contact Name and Title
Jennifer Teixeira, Senior Director Research Administration

Department Contact Telephone or Email
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Office of Human Resources Contact Information

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Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.