• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $155,000 - $175,000

Position Summary

The Research Operations Director will oversee the Division of General Medicine's pre- and post-award financial and managerial activities. Reporting to the Divisional Administrator and with a dotted line to the Department’s Chief Administrative Research Officer, this role will manage the Pre- and Post-Award Team, ensuring efficient operations and compliance with university and sponsor regulations. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a keen eye for detail, and a deep understanding of research administration.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development and implementation of divisional budgets, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and financial sustainability.
• Monitor and analyze financial performance, identifying variances and recommending corrective actions.
• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports, including expense reports, budget projections, and reconciliations.
• Ensure compliance with university and sponsor regulations, including effort reporting and subcontract management.
• Recruit, hire, and develop a high-performing team of research administrators.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork.
• Provide guidance and support to faculty and staff on research administration processes and policies.
• Streamline and optimize pre- and post-award processes to improve efficiency and reduce administrative burden.
• Implement robust financial controls and quality assurance measures to minimize risk.
• Stay informed of evolving regulations and industry best practices to ensure compliance and strategic decision-making.
• Performs other related duties as required.
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Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in education and experience, plus four years of relevant and related experience including supervisory experience
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage a complex financial operation with sound analytical abilities
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience in an academic medical center
• Independent, self-starter requiring limited supervision and able to work through complex issues, elevating as appropriate
• Ability to navigate complex databases, as well as to learn and assist in teaching new systems entailing large amounts of data
• Experience creating financial models and databases
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and demonstrated experience accessing, using and consolidating data from a variety of sources

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in finance, business administration or related field.
• Knowledge of CUIMC financial systems.

Other Requirements

• Successful completion of applicable compliance and systems training requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.