Demo

Senior Research Director

University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI Full Time
POSTED ON 4/2/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 4/30/2026

About the Company


The Senior Director of Research Operations (SDRO) is a senior administrative leader responsible for the efficient and effective management of the School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH)’s research enterprise.


About the Role


Reporting to leadership in the School's Office of Research, which is responsible for research, strategy, development and oversight, the SDRO directs the central administrative and operational infrastructure supporting research. The SDRO ensures compliance, optimizes resource utilization, and facilitating the successful execution of the School's research mission across all departments, centers and institutes. This role requires a blend of biomedical research knowledge, financial acumen and operational expertise in a complex academic medical and public health environment. This is an inaugural position.



Responsibilities


  • The SDRO develops, implements and monitors operational policies, procedures and best practices to streamline research administration and optimize workflows.
  • The SDRO leads initiatives to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of research resources, including shared resources and space allocation.
  • In partnership with the leadership of the School’s Office of Research, the SDRO liaises with research program leaders and center/institute directors on management and operational issues.
  • The SDRO convenes monthly meetings of center/institute directors and oversees center/institute annual reporting and five-year reviews.


Qualifications


Required Qualifications

  • Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, operations or management within a complex academic, medical or research institution.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Deep working knowledge of federal research regulations, including NIH grants policy statements, human subjects and financial management principles in a non-profit/academic setting.
  • Experience with pre-award and post-award processes for a broad portfolio of federal and non-federal sponsors, particularly the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DOD).


Education details

PhD required


Required Skills

  • Operational Leadership
  • Financial Acumen
  • Compliance and Risk Mitigation
  • Strategic Collaboration
  • People and Team Management
  • Academic Domain Expertise


Pay range and compensation package

Negotiable


Salary.com Estimation for Senior Research Director in Madison, WI
$126,516 to $162,773
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