Administrative Director, GHUCCTS Administration and Strategic Operations

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer: 

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match 
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us! 

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and oversight of the administrative and financial operations of Howard University’s participation in GHUCCTS, supported by the NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program.

Working closely with the Principal Investigator, the Executive Director oversees program operations, financial and regulatory compliance, investigator support, personnel, and process improvement. The position serves as the institutional quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) lead and principal administrative liaison to Georgetown University, MedStar Health Research Institute, and other partners, ensuring coordinated responses to the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS).

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Program Management and Strategic Operations

·        Direct administrative operations and implement strategic plans aligned with grant objectives, institutional priorities, and award requirements.

·        Establish responsibilities, milestones, performance measures, and timelines across program components, pilot projects, and scholar and trainee programs.

·        Maintain a centralized calendar for submissions, reporting, financial reviews, and regulatory requirements.

·        Prepare leadership reports and meeting materials, track decisions, and ensure completion of action items.

·        Identify operational risks and resource needs; implement solutions that strengthen integration, capacity, and long-term sustainability.

2. Financial Management and Award Administration

·        Oversee budget development, implementation, monitoring, and reconciliation in collaboration with the Principal Investigator and authorized institutional offices.

·        Coordinate subaward administration, including account setup, budget allocation, invoicing, reporting, and closeout.

·        Monitor expenditures, personnel effort, salary allocations, commitments, and projections for accuracy and alignment with approved budgets and award requirements.

·        Coordinate purchasing, consultant arrangements, payments, and financial transactions; resolve discrepancies and delays.

·        Collaborate with partner institutions to review pilot project finances and ensure timely subcontracting, invoicing, and funds flow.

·        Facilitate budget revisions, carryforward requests, extensions, and other award actions through appropriate institutional channels.

3. Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance/Quality Control

·        Lead QA/QC activities and supervise the QA/QC coordinator.

·        Establish standardized review procedures, checklists, and tracking systems for pilot, scholar, and trainee project submissions.

·        Verify completeness and consistency of required regulatory approvals, human subjects documentation, and related materials before funding authorization or submission.

·        Coordinate quality reviews of submissions to NCATS and the eRA Human Subjects System, as applicable.

·        Work with investigators, compliance offices, and partner QA/QC leads to resolve deficiencies and document corrective actions.

·        Route approved materials through Georgetown University’s Office of Sponsored Research for formal submission and maintain records supporting monitoring and audits.

4. Investigator and Project Support

·        Guide investigators and research teams through administrative requirements, submission processes, and project timelines.

·        Coordinate pilot project selection workflows, onboarding, award activation, progress monitoring, and closeout.

·        Facilitate access to regulatory, financial, contracting, and research support services.

·        Track project milestones, approvals, reports, and outstanding actions; resolve administrative barriers affecting project progress.

·        Coordinate scholar and trainee project support with program leadership.

5. Personnel Leadership and Process Improvement

·        Supervise and evaluate assigned staff; establish priorities, performance expectations, and accountability measures.

·        Coordinate recruitment, onboarding, workload distribution, cross-training, and continuity coverage.

·        Maintain standard operating procedures defining responsibilities, approvals, and escalation pathways.

·        Implement shared tracking tools, dashboards, and document management practices to improve efficiency and accuracy.

·        Safeguard confidential personnel, financial, and research information.

6. Institutional and Consortium Coordination

·        Serve as the principal administrative counterpart to partner institutions and liaison to sponsored programs, finance, procurement, human resources, and compliance offices.

·        Coordinate administrative and financial meetings, institutional contributions to progress reports, and responses to sponsor requests.

·        Represent program administration on committees and working groups as designated by the Principal Investigator.

·        Perform other related duties consistent with the position’s scope.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

·        Bachelor’s degree in business, public or health administration, finance, research administration, or a related field.

·        Several years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, sponsored programs, or academic or healthcare operations, including three years supervising personnel or leading complex administrative functions.

·        Demonstrated experience managing federally funded research budgets, subawards, reporting, and post-award requirements.

·        Experience coordinating programs across departments or institutions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

·        Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.

·        Experience with a CTSA hub or comparable multi-institutional NIH-funded program.

·        Familiarity with NCATS requirements, pilot programs, and research training or career development awards.

·        Experience with research QA/QC, human subjects documentation, eRA Commons, and the Human Subjects System.

·        Certified Research Administrator or related credential.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

·        Strong knowledge of sponsored research administration, financial management, and regulatory compliance.

·        Ability to interpret award requirements and translate them into effective procedures.

·        Strong analytical, organizational, supervisory, and problem-solving skills.

·        Ability to manage competing priorities and collaborate effectively with investigators, institutional leaders, staff, and external partners.

·        Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

·        Proficiency with financial systems, spreadsheets, collaborative platforms, and project management tools.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Strategic execution; financial stewardship; accountability; quality management; collaborative leadership; staff development; service orientation; and discretion.

SCOPE OF AUTHORITY

Directs assigned administrative operations and personnel under the Principal Investigator’s leadership. Financial commitments, regulatory approvals, contractual actions, and formal sponsor submissions follow established institutional authority and procedures.

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Compensation Range: $81,000 - $90,000