Sr. Research Operations Manager (Research Administration)

We are seeking a  Sr. Research Operations Manager  who will lead, direct, and execute various initiatives from concept to implementation with a high level of independence. The Sr. Research Operations Manager will oversee a portfolio of key projects, ensuring that all assigned projects successfully meet institutional goals, deliver impactful results, and drive excellence. Additionally, the Manager supports and mentors other project managers and staff, ensuring best practices in project management are followed.

This position is responsible for ensuring the successful completion of a portfolio of projects within the approved schedule, scope, and budget, and escalating major risks and issues to division/department leaders as appropriate. In partnership with other project stakeholders, the Manager leads the design and implementation of individual projects.

The Sr. Research Operations Manager serves as the senior operational partner to the Vice Dean for Research (VDR), translating school-wide research priorities into coordinated, measurable action. The position provides the connective infrastructure needed for initiatives that span faculty, research programs, administrative offices, centers, and institutional partners and that do not sit naturally within a single existing unit.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

- Oversee and direct the scope of projects, including goals, timelines, budgets, and objectives.
- Oversee and execute project plans, budgets, timelines, and risk mitigation strategies, and monitor and report on progress and outcomes.
- Complete activities/deliverables required to complete the projects, including analysis, benchmarking, data collection, and deliverable development.
- Identify and resolve conflicts, challenges, or barriers that may arise during the project lifecycle and escalate them as appropriate.
- Serve in various project roles as necessary to fill gaps and ensure projects proceed as needed.
- May oversee project teams and resources, including project managers and staff from other departments.
- Oversee key project deliverables, including project plans, budgets, timelines, status reports, presentation materials, reports, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Participate in the risk, issue, and change resolution process, and work with other leaders to take corrective action as needed.
- Serve as a key decision maker for the projects.
- Interface with key leaders to help define project priorities and communicate project risks, issues, and opportunities.
- Monitor KPIs for special projects, reporting progress and status to senior leaders.
- Oversee and collaborate with project teams and resources, including project managers and staff from other departments.
- Draft project deliverables, including written reports, presentations, spreadsheets, and data visualizations.
- Collaborate with project managers and staff outside of the assigned area to implement the project management methodology and best practices to positively impact the institution and support the strategic initiatives.
- Assist with coaching and mentoring other project management practitioners and share knowledge of best practices.
- Other duties as assigned.

In addition to the duties described above

- Translate VDR priorities into implementation plans, timelines, deliverables, ownership, and follow-through.
- Manage a portfolio of cross-cutting research initiatives and special projects sponsored by the VDR, which may require participation across faculty, NORA, finance, HR, information technology, communications, centers, and other School or University offices.
- Maintain a school-wide view of major research priorities, dependencies, risks, and decision points. This includes developing and maintaining a research enterprise dashboard that tracks key indicators such as submissions, awards, funding mix, major proposals, faculty engagement, infrastructure utilization, and strategic initiatives.
- Map current research support processes, identify gaps or friction points, and work with responsible units to improve handoffs and reduce unnecessary duplication, while also supporting the launch and implementation of new shared research resources, services, and infrastructure approved by the VDR.
- Use a data-informed mindset to support annual and multi-year research planning and assessment; identify bottlenecks, emerging needs, and opportunities for investment; and coordinate periodic review of new VDR initiatives to assess uptake, impact, and return on investment.
- Contribute to major initiatives and team science by providing project-management support for large, multidisciplinary, multi-school, or institutionally strategic activities; coordinating activities to respond to major center grants and other complex proposal initiatives; and convening faculty and partners around emerging funding opportunities and strategic themes.
- Establish efficient operating routines for the VDR office, including priority tracking, meeting preparation, follow-up, and coordination of VDR-sponsored committees, advisory groups, retreats, and research planning activities.
- Prepare background materials and syntheses that enable efficient decision-making.

Minimum Qualifications

- Bachelor’s Degree.
- Five years of related experience.
- Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

- Project Management Professional Certification.
- Substantial experience managing complex research, academic, health sciences or higher education operations.
- Demonstrated success leading projects across units without relying solely on direct supervisory authority.
- Strong understanding of the academic research environment, including externally funded research and faculty led programs
- Exceptional project management, organization, judgment, communication, and follow through.
- Ability to synthesize complex information into concise recommendations and decision ready materials
- Comfort working with senior faculty and institutional leaders in a fast moving, highly collaborative environment.
- Experience with research metrics, dashboards, process improvement, or strategic planning is highly desirable

Technical Qualifications & Specialized Certifications

- Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office Suite software applications, along with a general understanding of HRIS applications to retrieve data for reporting and analysis.
- Knowledge of SmartSheet or comparable project planning software.

Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency

- Project Planning - Developing
- Financial Forecasting - Developing
- Critical Thinking - Developing
- Project Management Life Cycle - Developing
- Project Documentation - Developing

The core technical skills listed are most essential; additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department needs.

Classified Title: Project Manager 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Sr. Research Operations Manager (Research Administration)   
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PE  
Starting Salary Range : $75,135 - $131,510 Annually ($103,320 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule : Monday - Friday 8:30 - 5:00 
FLSA Status: Exempt 
Location : School of Nursing in Baltimore, MD
Department name: Research Administration  
Personnel area: School of Nursing