Assistant Director - Award Setup Services

Job Description

The Research Administration Collaborative (RAC) in the Office of Research has an outstanding opportunity for an Assistant Director to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director, Assistant Director is responsible for providing operational leadership for centralized award setup and modification services within the Research Administration Collaborative (RAC). The position is responsible for establishing, managing, evaluating, and continuously improving a shared-service capability designed to provide accurate, timely, consistent, and accountable research administration services on behalf of participating University units.

Key Responsibilities

·         35%: Centralized Award Setup and Modification Service Leadership

Responsible for the overall operation and performance of centralized award setup and modification services.

- Direct day-to-day service operations, including workload management, prioritization, resource allocation, and service delivery.

- Establish and maintain operating procedures, service standards, quality controls, and escalation practices.

- Monitor service performance and address operational issues, risks, bottlenecks, and emerging priorities.

- Ensure services are delivered in accordance with University requirements, institutional controls, and established operating practices.

- Foster a culture of accountability, responsiveness, accuracy, transparency, and customer service.

·         20%: Staff Leadership and Workforce Development

Responsible for building and leading a high-performing operational service team.

- Recruit, supervise, coach, and develop staff responsible for award setup and modification services.

- Establish performance expectations and provide ongoing feedback, evaluation, and performance management.

- Develop workforce capabilities through onboarding, training, cross-training, and professional development.

- Assess staffing needs and allocate resources to meet service demands and evolving operational requirements.

- Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and continuous-improvement-oriented team culture.

·         20%: Process Improvement and Operational Implementation

Responsible for implementation and continuous improvement of award setup and modification services.

- Lead implementation of redesigned workflows, procedures, controls, and operating standards.

- Partner with RAC colleagues and stakeholders to reduce administrative burden, streamline processes, and improve service outcomes.

- Develop and maintain operational documentation, decision frameworks, and quality-assurance practices.

- Identify recurring process issues and implement corrective actions to improve efficiency, quality, and consistency.

- Support evaluation and adoption of technology, automation, and decision-support solutions.

·         15%: Performance Management and Stakeholder Coordination

Responsible for monitoring service effectiveness and coordinating delivery across organizational boundaries.

- Establish and monitor key performance indicators, service levels, productivity measures, and quality metrics.

- Use operational data to identify trends, risks, capacity needs, and improvement opportunities.

- Provide leadership with regular assessments of service performance, operational risks, and improvement priorities.

- Partner with OSP, GCA, academic units, and other stakeholders to resolve cross-functional issues and improve service delivery.

- Communicate operational expectations, process changes, and performance outcomes to stakeholders.

·         10%: Service Scaling and Strategic Program Development

Responsible for supporting long-term growth and sustainability of RAC services.

- Evaluate service effectiveness, capacity, scalability, and operational readiness.

- Develop operational plans supporting expansion of centralized services to additional units and service areas.

- Support onboarding and transition activities for participating units.

- Recommend staffing, workflow, process, and technology investments needed to support future growth.

- Contribute to RAC planning, pilot evaluation, governance activities, and broader operational excellence initiatives.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Department.

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, finance, research administration, higher education administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience in business administration, finance, research administration, or public administration.

• Five years of experience with business administration, finance, research administration, higher education administration.

Preferred Qualifications

·         Five years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, sponsored programs administration, program operations, or a related administrative field.

·         Demonstrated experience supervising staff and managing operational workflows, workload priorities, and service delivery.

·         Demonstrated ability to interpret complex policies, exercise independent judgment, solve operational problems, and implement effective business processes.

·         Strong analytical, communication, relationship-management, and performance-management skills, including the ability to use operational data and metrics to support decision-making.

·         Advanced degree and/or professional certification relevant to research administration, program management, organizational leadership, or business operations (e.g., CRA, MBA, MPA).

·         Significant experience with sponsored research administration, particularly post-award administration, award setup, award modifications, or sponsored-project financial management.

·         Experience leading shared-services, centralized-service, service-center, or other high-volume operational environments.

·         Experience leading process improvement, organizational change, service redesign, workflow optimization, or implementation of new operating models.

·         Experience using operational performance measures, workflow technologies, automation, case-management systems, or AI-enabled tools to improve service delivery.

About the Team

The Office of Research is led by the Vice Provost for Research and oversees three administrative units: Human Subjects Division (HSD), Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), and Office of Research Information Services (ORIS).

https://research.washington.edu/research/or/

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$126,000.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$144,228.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.