Administrative Associate Director

About this role

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Job Category: Academic Staff

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Administrative Associate Director

Job Summary: The Administrative Associate Director reports directly to the Administrative Director and works closely with the Administrative Director, Senior Director of Research Operations, and Vice Dean for Research to support a broad portfolio of research administration, financial management, and strategic operational initiatives within the School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) Office of Basic Research, Biotechnology, and Graduate Studies.

This position serves as a key operational partner responsible for administering institutional research funding programs, managing financial commitments, and supporting data-informed decision-making across the school's research enterprise. The Administrative Associate Director oversees processes related to faculty startup funding, bridge funding, retention funding, grant matching programs, and other strategic research investments designed to support and grow SMPH's nationally recognized research portfolio. The incumbent works extensively with departments, centers, campus administrative units, and research leadership to ensure funding requests are reviewed consistently, processed efficiently, administered equitably, and aligned with institutional policies and priorities. The Associate Director serves as a primary resource to stakeholders regarding funding opportunities, requirements, timelines, and funding decisions, while maintaining strong collaborative relationships across the school and campus.

The Administrative Associate Director serves as a subject matter expert in research-related financial and operational data, utilizing strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills to support institutional planning and leadership decision-making. This role develops and maintains databases, tracking systems, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms used to monitor financial commitments, research investments, proposal activity, awards, expenditures, and other research performance indicators. The incumbent prepares analyses and reports for senior leadership, including the Administrative Director, Vice Dean for Research, Senior Director of Research Operations, and other stakeholders, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and accessibility of information used to guide strategic decisions.

The Administrative Associate Director independently manages multiple complex priorities and projects while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and attention to detail in handling sensitive financial and personnel-related information. In partnership with SMPH Analytics, Fiscal Affairs, Human Resources, and other campus partners, this role identifies opportunities to improve administrative processes, implements operational efficiencies, develops procedures and documentation, and supports strategic initiatives that advance the research mission of SMPH. The position also provides administrative and analytical support to research leadership through project management, data analysis, issue resolution, and coordination of responses to emerging needs and special initiatives. • This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.

• Candidates who demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities will be given first consideration • Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and funding guidelines.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a complex organizational environment.

• Knowledge of sponsored research administration and university financial management practices.

Key Job Responsibilities: • Ensures that policies, procedures, and standards are maintained and develops processes and procedures to improve the unit

• Engages in strategic planning and policies to ensure the strategic direction supports the needs of stakeholders

• Evaluates, designs, and implements operations to align with the strategic direction

• Establishes goals and priorities for the annual budget for all revenues and expenditures

• Serves as the unit liaison to internal and external stakeholder groups providing organizational information and representing the interests of the unit

Department: School of Medicine and Public Health, Office of Basic Research, Biotechnology, and Graduate Studies

The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Office of Basic Research, Biotechnology and Graduate Studies supports faculty, trainees, and staff as they launch and grow cutting-edge research programs. With experts in proposal development, grants administration, research compliance, shared resources, basic research training, and industry engagement, the Office promotes research collaboration, innovation, and discovery while helping translate research outcomes into meaningful improvements in health across Wisconsin and beyond.

Compensation: The starting salary for the position is $95,000 annually; but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications. 

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage and SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026

Required Qualifications: • Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, with significant experience in post-award administration or research financial management.

• Experience working within an academic medical center, health sciences campus, or research-intensive university.

Preferred Qualifica

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