Senior Research Operations Manager, IS-301-14

Application Deadline: 23 October 2026

Department: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Cambridge, MA

Reporting To: Chief Operations Officer

Compensation: $142,452 - $185,193 / year

Description

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
• Complete a Probationary Period if applicable. 
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 

OVERVIEW

MAJOR DUTIES

• Provides strategic leadership and oversight for complex research operations supporting SAO scientific programs, sponsored research activities, and institutional initiatives.
• Leads long-range planning efforts related to staffing, funding, space, administrative infrastructure, and other resource requirements.
• Develop operational strategies, policies, standard operating procedures, performance measures, and resource plans that support evolving scientific priorities while ensuring compliance with sponsor requirements, Smithsonian policies, and applicable federal regulations.
• Advises senior leadership on operational capabilities, resource allocation, process improvements, and strategic investments necessary to support successful execution of SAO’s scientific mission.
• Oversee all aspects of internally and externally funded sponsored project activities within assigned PI support teams. Plans and develop processes for proposals to external funding agencies and serves as expert resource to scientists and administrative staff on NSF, NASA, and other sponsor requirements.
• Oversee proposals preparation, budget development, and supporting justifications; ensure all internal review requirements and submission deadlines are met.
• Supervise managers, responsible for research administration functions and ensures compliance with SAO, Smithsonian, Harvard, and sponsor policies.
• Oversee the administration of sponsored research awards, budgets, expenditures, forecasts, compliance requirements, and financial reporting. Resolves complex issues involving fiscal management, policy interpretation, under-recovery, cost sharing, and sponsor requirements.
• Maintains full responsibility for the practical and technical aspects of unit budgets. Provides leadership with financial plans, projections, analysis, and recommendations.
• Establishes and maintains controls to monitor expenditures, authorizes expenditures as delegated, and conducts regular analyses of planned versus actual spending.
• Develops and prepares annual research and operational budget proposals for Smithsonian Federal and Trust Funds and independently formulates, justifies, and executes both short- and long-range budgets.
• Oversees personnel administration for assigned PI support teams including workface planning, performance management, compensation, employee relations, recruitment, promotions, visas, relocation, and workforce development
• Ensures the effective administrative functioning of assigned PI support teams.
• Evaluates, recommends, and implements improvements to administrative processes and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Exceptional knowledge and understanding of the cost principles and practices of budget administration and financial analysis including budget formulation, execution, reporting, and the ability to manage complex financial relationships across multiple programs and funding sources.
• Proven ability to monitor and manage expenditure effectively, set priorities using cost-benefit analysis, and apply specialized knowledge of SAO and Smithsonian financial processes and procedures.
• Expert-level knowledge of sponsored research administration including grant proposals preparation, award administration, and compliance requirements for federal sponsors such as NASA and NSF, including familiarity with the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
• Exceptional experience administering complex research and development contracts over multi-year periods covering research, testing, and production of scientific equipment and instrumentation. 
• Extensive working knowledge of government performance management systems, HR policies, recruitment practices, and personnel administration procedures.
• Ability to work effectively alongside scientists and engineers to assist them in conducting scientific research that is central to the mission of the CFA.
• Broad knowledge of research administration, program management, financial management, and administrative operations sufficient to oversee complex scientific programs, evaluate organizational performance, develop, evaluate organizational performance, develop operational strategies, and implement administrative improvement in support of scientific objectives.
• Expert-level advisory skills in sponsor requirements, institutional policies, compliance, uniform guidance and workforce matters with the ability to independently advise senior leadership and resolve highly complex issues.