Digital Solutions Specialist

Job Description

The Office of Research has an outstanding opportunity for a Digital Solutions Specialist to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director of the Research Administration Collaborative, the Digital Solutions Specialist is responsible for translating operational needs and service opportunities into practical digital solutions, with particular emphasis on workflow automation, AI-enabled support tools, technology integration, data-informed services, and scalable digital service delivery. The Digital Solutions Specialist develops solutions using enterprise-licensed, and emerging, technology platforms, including but not limited to Microsoft Power Automate, Power BI, and UW-supported artificial intelligence tools.

Working closely with Business Analyst and User Experience functions, the position participates throughout the solution lifecycle from problem definition and requirements development through prototyping, testing, implementation, adoption, and continuous improvement. The position combines technical fluency with a strong understanding of business processes and user needs, ensuring that technology is applied purposefully rather than simply introducing new tools.

The Digital Solutions Specialist operates within established institutional technology, data governance, security, accessibility, and responsible AI requirements and collaborates with central technology partners when solutions require capabilities beyond the position's scope or authority.

Key Responsibilities

30%: User-Centered Solution Design & Implementation

Design, build, and maintain digital solutions that improve the efficiency and reliability of research administration services.

• Develop workflow automations using Microsoft Power Automate and other approved platforms.

• Translate defined business requirements into functional workflows, applications, dashboards, and digital tools.

• Prototype, test, deploy, document, and maintain solutions through an iterative development lifecycle.

• Identify opportunities to replace repetitive manual processes with sustainable, scalable solutions.

• Point person for defining and requesting improvements to existing tools as well as new tools

25%: AI-Enabled Services & Intelligent Automation

Develop and responsibly implement AI-enabled tools that improve access to information, decision support, and administrative services.

• Build and configure UW-supported AI agents for defined research administration use cases.

• Develop agent instructions, knowledge sources, workflows, and guardrails in partnership with subject matter experts.

• Test AI outputs for accuracy, reliability, usability, and appropriate escalation to human expertise.

• Monitor deployed solutions and refine them based on performance, user feedback, and evolving requirements.

• Manage small-scale technical projects including gathering business requirements and authoring specifications

20%: Technology Integration & Digital Service Delivery

Support an integrated digital service environment that connects users, information, workflows, and institutional systems.

• Configure solutions that connect approved platforms, data sources, and business processes.

• Develop reusable components and approaches that can scale across services and user groups.

• Partner with institutional technology teams when solutions require enterprise integrations, advanced development, or system-level changes.

• Maintain appropriate technical and operational documentation for supported solutions.

• Evaluates new information, system products, or services as opportunities arise and suggests changes to existing products or services to better aid the end user

10%: Data, Reporting & Service Intelligence

Use data and reporting tools to improve operational visibility and support service decisions.

• Develop Power BI reports and dashboards that translate operational data into useful service information.

• Automate recurring reporting and data preparation where appropriate.

• Collaborate with business owners to define meaningful measures and reporting requirements.

• Support monitoring of digital solution adoption, performance, and effectiveness.

10%: User-Centered Solution Design & Implementation

Partner across disciplines to ensure digital solutions address real operational and user needs.

• Relationship management with external stakeholders and internal IM groups.

• Collaborate with Business Analyst and User Experience colleagues to define problems, requirements, and user needs before development.

• Engage users in prototyping, testing, and evaluation of proposed solutions.

• Adapt deployment, communication, and support approaches for different user populations and levels of technical experience.

• Incorporate user feedback and service data into iterative improvements.

• Advise clients on best practices

5%: Technology Stewardship & Continuous Improvement

Support responsible and sustainable adoption of emerging technologies within research administration.

• Evaluate emerging capabilities for potential research administration applications.

• Promote appropriate standards for solution documentation, maintainability, accessibility, and responsible AI use.

• Share reusable approaches, lessons learned, and technical knowledge with colleagues.

• Contribute to digital service planning and prioritization.

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 information systems, business, public administration, data analytics, computer science, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience (research administration, technology integration, data and reporting, business analysis).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing, configuring, or implementing technology-enabled business solutions.

• Experience translating business or user requirements into functional digital solutions.

• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply low-code/no-code, automation, analytics, or AI platforms.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple solution-development efforts from concept through implementation.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, documentation, and communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with technical specialists, business stakeholders, and end users.

• Experience with Microsoft Power Platform, including Power Automate and Power BI.

• Experience developing or configuring AI assistants, agents, copilots, or related generative AI applications.

• Experience with API-based integrations, structured data, connectors, or enterprise information systems.

• Familiarity with user-centered design, business process analysis, Agile or iterative development methods.

• Experience working in higher education, research administration, or another complex regulated environment.

• Familiarity with data governance, information security, accessibility, and responsible AI practices.

Core Competencies

• Applied technical problem solving: Selects and applies appropriate technologies to defined operational problems.

• User-centered mindset: Designs solutions around user needs, work contexts, accessibility, and usability.

• Systems thinking: Understands relationships among processes, people, data, policies, and technologies.

• Iterative delivery: Moves effectively from concept to prototype, testing, deployment, and improvement.

• Digital stewardship: Builds solutions that are supportable, documented, governed, and sustainable.

• Collaborative practice: Works effectively across operational, analytical, UX, and technical disciplines.

• Learning agility: Evaluates and applies rapidly evolving technologies appropriately.

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/

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$108,000.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$132,000.00 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.