JOB SUMMARY
The Manager, Research Programs provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and subject matter expertise for the Department of Surgery and all Surgical Partners in Research (SPAR) partnering departments. This position directs and develops a high-performing team of grants professionals responsible for the full lifecycle of research administration, including pre-award proposal development and submission, post-award management, sponsor compliance, financial stewardship, reporting, award negotiations, closeout activities, and advise partnering departments on financial management relevant to research funding. The Manager, Research Programs serves as the primary resource for investigators, departmental leadership, institutional offices, and external sponsors, providing expert guidance on federal, state, industry, foundation, philanthropic, and institutional funding mechanisms.

This role is responsible for managing a complex and diverse grant portfolio spanning across multiple departments with varied administrative structures to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant submissions of research proposals to agencies including, but not limited to, federal grants, private foundations, and donor-funded research initiatives. The Manager, Research
Programs monitors regulatory and sponsor policy
changes, interprets funding requirements, develops and implements best practices, and ensures adherence to federal regulations, institutional policies, and sponsor guidelines. The position provides direct supervision, mentorship, performance management, workload allocation, and professional development for a team of seven grants professionals while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The Manager, Research Programs partners closely with all partnering departments' faculty, division administrators, finance teams, and research leadership to identify funding opportunities, support strategic research growth initiatives, optimize resource utilization,
mitigate compliance and financial risk and enhance operational effectiveness across the SPAR research enterprise. Additionally, this position works closely with the SPAR Assistant Director, Clinical Research Unit to lead process improvement efforts, develops standardized procedures and training programs, evaluates operational metrics and performance\ indicators, and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, scalability, and service delivery. As a senior research administration leader, the Manager, Research Programs plays a critical role in supporting the institution's research mission by strengthening funding competitiveness, maximizing sponsored research revenue, ensuring regulatory compliance, and sustaining long-term growth of the research portfolio. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a high-impact research enterprise within a nationally recognized academic medical center, supporting innovative investigators and working alongside a skilled research administrative team.

BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Required

• Education
  Bachelor's Degree in science, finance or related field

• Experience
  8 years of related experience in research, research administration or non-profit administration and
  Must be familiar with NIH research grant preparation and management and
  Requires advanced PC expertise including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database software
  Prior experience in the UTSW clinical research mentoring program is highly desirable, and participation in the UTSW clinical research mentoring program may count as additional experience.

• Licenses and Certifications
  Heart Saver may be required based on research study protocols or affiliate location requirements Upon Hire

Preferred

• Education
  Master's Degree

• Experience
  Prior experience related to research administration is strongly preferred.

JOB DUTIES

• Supports research within multiple departments or business units by developing and enhancing shared facilities and programs; develops and implements procedures to optimize operations and resource utilization; tracks, evaluates, and reports progress of shared resources.
• Promotes collaboration among investigators and across disciplines, departments and institutions; organizes meetings, seminars and conferences; manages internal and external communications of the department; oversees information services group in developing web-based research collaboration tools and databases.
• Supports new research funding opportunities; works with faculty and departmental grants managers to assist with multi-investigator grant proposals including planning, budget preparation, administrative coordination and submission. Works closely with UTSW Foundation and development staff to identify opportunities for philanthropic support; assists Chair by serving as liaison to key university, community and funding partners.
• Designs and conducts surveys on research space utilization. Analyzes and compiles data on departmental productivity, space requirements and utilization by researchers.
• Assists with strategic development of new research programs and initiatives; oversees clinical trials operations, and research compliance.
• Develops processes regarding terminating research faculty.
• Performs other duties as assigned.