Job Description Summary:
The Director is responsible for directing all financial and operational activities associated with industry-sponsored research, investigator-initiated studies, consortium and network studies, and OHRI administrative operations. The Research Business Services team provides core services including:
Clinical trial budget development and negotiation
Clinical trial contract negotiation and management
Coverage analysis and billing compliance oversight
Grant administration and sponsored program support
Pre-award and post-award financial management
Revenue cycle oversight and financial reporting
Research operational accounting and analytics
Research systems administration and support
The Director serves as the leader for Operational Excellence and Process Governance within Research Business Services (RBS). The Director is responsible for establishing standardized business processes, performance management systems, process ownership, and continuous improvement practices across RBS functions, including clinical trial budgeting, contracting support, billing compliance, grants administration, financial management, and revenue cycle operations.
This position reports to the Senior Director of Research Operations.
Responsibilities And Duties:
Research Pre-Award and Post-Award Administration (50%)
Clinical Research Financial Leadership
· Provide leadership for research finance, billing, and administrative teams.
· Oversee clinical trial budget development and contract negotiations.
· Ensure effective management of coverage analysis and research billing compliance activities.
· Oversee CTMS calendar development and post-award revenue recognition functions.
· Collaborate with investigators, research directors, coordinators, and operations leaders to develop sustainable financial plans.
· Serve as a strategic resource for physicians and research personnel.
· Monitor emerging industry, regulatory, reimbursement, and research finance trends.
· Facilitate resolution of budgeting, contracting, billing, and operational barriers.
· Continuous Improvement Leadership
· Lead process improvement initiatives across the clinical trial lifecycle.
· Utilize Lean methodologies to reduce waste, eliminate inefficiencies, and improve cycle times.
· Establish process controls that improve quality, compliance, and operational consistency.
· Monitor key operational performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed.
· Sponsor cross-functional improvement projects focused on startup, contracting, budgeting, billing compliance, and study execution.
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Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (20%)
· Direct grant administration activities supporting sponsored programs.
· Ensure compliance with federal, sponsor, state, and institutional requirements.
· Collaborate with Foundation, Finance, Compliance, and Internal Audit teams.
· Support annual audits and risk assessments.
· Evaluate grant administration workflows and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency and service delivery.
· Standardize grant administration processes and documentation across the organization.
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Research Business and Financial Operations (30%)
Operational Leadership
· Develop and maintain the annual OHRI operating and research budget.
· Oversee research information systems and operational support functions.
· Develop financial models for new business opportunities, programs, and capital investments.
· Prepare executive-level reports, forecasts, analyses, and strategic recommendations.
· Partner with Corporate Finance and OHRI leadership on financial planning and performance management.
Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
· Develop and maintain an Operational Excellence roadmap for Research Business Services.
· Lead enterprise-wide process improvement initiatives supporting OHRI strategic goals.
· Utilize Lean tools including:
SIPOC Mapping
Value Stream Mapping
Root Cause Analysis
A3 Problem Solving
Standard Work Development
Control Planning
· Standardize workflows across Research Business Services functions.
· Establish governance structures that sustain operational improvements.
· Develop and maintain departmental process inventories and process ownership frameworks.
· Identify automation and technology-enabled improvement opportunities.
· Facilitate Kaizen events and multidisciplinary improvement workshops.
· Establish operational scorecards and KPI dashboards.
· Monitor productivity, quality, financial performance, compliance, and customer service metrics.
· Lead capacity planning and workload optimization efforts.
· Promote a culture of transparency, accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.
Strategic Leadership
· Support development and execution of OHRI's strategic vision.
· Serve as departmental representative on internal and external leadership committees.
· Build effective relationships with stakeholders across OhioHealth and external partners.
· Identify emerging risks, opportunities, and operational trends impacting research administration.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
OSHA BLOOD BORNE PATHOGEN EMPLOYEE EXPOSURE CATEGORIES (One category must be checked):
CATEGORY I: ______
Employees whose job functions involve routine or potential exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues. (Direct patient care jobs)
CATEGORY II: ______
Employees whose job functions involve no routine exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues, but employment may require performing unplanned Category I tasks. (Indirect patient care jobs, i.e. unit clerk, pastoral care, etc.)
CATEGORY III: ____X__
Employees whose job functions involve no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues, and Category I and II tasks are not a condition of employment.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree (Required)
Additional Job Description:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Bachelor's degree in: Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Finance, Public Health, Pharmacy, Clinical Research, or related field
Experience
Minimum 8 years of research administration experience
Minimum 3 years of research finance, billing, grants management, or clinical trial budget development experience
Progressive leadership experience in healthcare, academic medicine, research administration, or related fields
Direct and indirect project leadership experience
Clinical research operational and financial management experience
SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE
- The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in:
Research Administration
- Clinical trial startup and ongoing administration
- Research finance and billing compliance
- Budget negotiation and contract management
- Federal grant administration
- Sponsored program management
- CMS billing regulations
- Federal research regulations and sponsor requirements
- GCP and regulatory compliance principles
Financial Management
- Financial planning and forecasting
- Research portfolio financial oversight
- Revenue cycle management
- Budget development and monitoring
- Variance analysis and financial performance reporting
- Research business analytics
Technology & Systems
- Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS)
- Research databases
- Workday, Strata, EPIC, REDCap, Clinical Conductor, or related systems
- Data analytics and business intelligence tools
Operational Excellence & Lean Leadership
- Lean methodology and continuous improvement principles
- A3 problem solving
- Root Cause Analysis
- Value Stream Mapping
- SIPOC development
- Process mapping and workflow redesign
- Standard work development
- Change management methodologies
- Quality management principles
- Performance measurement systems and KPI development
- Operational risk assessment and mitigation
Business Leadership
- Strategic planning
- Organizational development
- Team leadership and coaching
- Stakeholder engagement
- Executive communication
- Cross-functional collaboration
DESIRED ATTRIBUTES
Education & Certifications
- Master's Degree preferred
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred
- Project Management certification preferred
Leadership Characteristics
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement
- Exceptional project and program management skills
- Strong strategic thinking and execution capabilities
- Ability to lead complex organizational change initiatives
- Exceptional organizational skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Effective facilitation and coaching skills
- Ability to influence across multiple organizational levels
- Results-oriented leadership style
- High degree of accountability and ownership
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to develop high-performing teams and future leaders
- Passion for innovation, efficiency, and service excellence
BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES
INFORMATION SECURITY
Maintains confidentiality of log-on password(s) and security of other authentication devices (e.g., key fobs, proximity devices, etc.).
Ensures privacy and security
