Director Research Operations & Standardization

OSF HealthCare is dedicated to providing Mission Partners with a comprehensive and market-competitive total rewards package that includes benefits, compensation, recognition, and well-being offerings focused on the whole person.

Pay

Expected pay for this position is $62.64 - $83.00/hour. Actual pay will be determined by experience, skills, and internal equity.

About the role

The Director, Research Operations & Standardization provides ministry-level leadership for operational excellence, process standardization, and workforce development across the OSF HealthCare research enterprise. This role establishes standardized operational frameworks, performance expectations, and training infrastructure to ensure consistent, high-quality research conduct across all OSF facilities. Operating within a hybrid model, the director partners with site-based research leaders to drive alignment with ministry standards, improve performance, and strengthen operational consistency across the system. This role collaborates closely with Research Compliance and Research Financial & Systems leaders to ensure research operations are efficient, compliant, and sustainable.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, public health, nursing, biological/life sciences, or related field.
• 7 years progressive experience in clinical research operations within a healthcare or academic medical center environment.
• 3 years in a formal leadership role overseeing research coordinators, managers, or operational teams.
• Demonstrated experience standardizing multi-site operational workflows.
• Current Research Certification such as SOCRA (Society of Clinical Research Administration), ACRP (Association of Clinical Research Professionals), HCCA (Health Care Compliance Association), etc. – expected within 1 year of hire.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Solid computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft software.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to be detail-oriented.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial activation processes, study lifecycle management, and enrollment operations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and track operational KPIs and performance dashboards.
• Strong project management and change management capabilities.
• Ability to influence and drive alignment within a matrixed organizational structure.
• Familiarity with research systems such as Epic research functionality, CTMS (Clinical Trial Management System), REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture), iRIS (Integrate Research Information System)/Cayuse.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in healthcare administration, public health, business administration, or related field.
• Experience operating within a hybrid centralized research model.
• Experience with change management (including conflict management).
• Experience supporting oncology, industry-sponsored, or FDA-regulated research.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification.
• Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Research Compliance Related Certification (e.g., Certified in Healthcare Research Compliance – CHRC).
• Knowledge of clinical research operations, study data management, and electronic data capture (EDC) systems.
• General understanding of medical terminology.
• Experience with Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS), REDCap, Participant Payment Solution, Cosmos, and/or other research software systems.