Administrative Associate Director

About the role

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.

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