Director Of Research Innovation Operations Jobs

Hiring Department

Office of Research & Innovation (ORI) at the University ofMissouri-Kansas City (UMKC).

Job DescriptionAbout the Opportunity

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is entering anexciting new era of research growth and innovation. In 2025, UMKCachieved the prestigious Carnegie Research 1 (R1) designation,recognizing the university as one of the nation's top researchinstitutions and Kansas City's only R1 university. This milestonereflects significant growth in UMKC's research enterprise andpositions the university for continued expansion in researchfunding, interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, andpartnerships across Kansas City, the region, and beyond.

As UMKC's research portfolio continues to grow in size, complexity,and national prominence, the university is strengthening theresearch administration infrastructure necessary to supportfaculty, researchers, sponsors, and institutional partners. TheAssistant Director, Award Management will play a criticalleadership role in this effort, helping ensure that sponsoredawards move efficiently from award notification through accountestablishment and into active project management. This positionwill contribute directly to building scalable, responsive, andeffective research administration processes that support UMKC'scontinued advancement as an R1 research institution.

Job Description

The Assistant Director, Award Management in the Office of Research& Innovation (ORI) provides a key leadership role in overseeingthe effective set-up, negotiation, and administration of sponsoredawards. This position ensures that grant and contract agreementsare executed in compliance with institutional, sponsor, and legalrequirements while supporting a seamless transition from awardreceipt to active project management.

The Assistant Director serves as an operational leader within Research Administration and works closely with investigators, pre-award and post-award personnel, central administrative units, sponsors, and external partners. The position will also serve as aliaison with the Office of General Counsel on matters related tosponsored agreements and contract negotiation.

As UMKC continues to expand its research enterprise, the AssistantDirector will be expected to help develop and implement scalable,efficient, and service-oriented award management practices that cansupport increasingly complex awards, multidisciplinary researchinitiatives, federal sponsors, industry and community partnerships,subawards, and other sponsored research arrangements.

This position reports to the Director of ResearchAdministration.

Key Responsibilities

• Award Management
  • Lead and oversee the effective set-up and administration ofsponsored awards, ensuring timely transition from award receipt toactive project management.
  • Review, negotiate, and coordinate grant and contract agreementsin collaboration with investigators, sponsors, and the Office ofGeneral Counsel.
  • Oversee the creation of grant accounts and issuance ofsubawards, ensuring appropriate institutional and sponsorrequirements are satisfied.
  • Coordinate effective cross-unit workflows between pre-award andpost-award functions in collaboration with the Director of ResearchAdministration.
  • Review and coordinate non-financial post-award requests andrelated institutional approvals.
  • Serve as a primary contact for faculty, staff, sponsors, andexternal partners regarding award management matters.
  • Provide expert guidance on sponsored award requirements,institutional policies, sponsor regulations, and award termsthroughout the award life cycle.
  • Identify opportunities to streamline award setup, negotiation,subaward, and post-award processes while maintaining appropriateinstitutional controls.
  • Support increasingly complex and multidisciplinary sponsoredprojects and partnerships associated with UMKC's expanding R1research portfolio.
• Leadership & Collaboration
  • Coordinate with the Director of Research Administration toimplement strategic initiatives that strengthen and scale researchadministration operations.
  • Help establish clear, consistent, and efficient processes thatimprove service delivery and reduce administrative burden forinvestigators and research teams.
  • Collaborate across academic and administrative units to promoteresearch integrity, operational effectiveness, and compliance.
  • Develop strong working relationships with faculty, researchpersonnel, sponsors, General Counsel, Procurement, Finance, andother institutional partners.
  • Contribute to the development of research administrationstandards, procedures, tools, and training designed to support agrowing and increasingly complex research enterprise.
  • Assist with staff training, professional development, knowledgesharing, and a culture of accountability and continuousimprovement.
  • Serve as a resource and subject-matter expert for complex awardmanagement and sponsored agreement issues.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education andexperience and at least 5 years of experience from which comparableknowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a departmental or central researchadministration unit.
• Demonstrated experience with sponsored research administration,including award setup, contract management, negotiation, subawards,and post-award administration.
• Experience working within a university or otherresearch-intensive environment.
• Experience supporting multidisciplinary research programs andcomplex sponsored projects.
• Experience working with federal sponsors and/or othergovernmental, industry, healthcare, or nonprofit researchsponsors.
• Experience supporting cross-departmental research teams andadministrative personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply sponsorregulations, award terms, institutional policies, and contractualrequirements.
• Experience with research administration and enterprisetechnology platforms, such as PeopleSoft, Power BI, eCompliance,and related systems.
• Demonstrated ability to improve processes, establish effectiveworkflows, and implement operational improvements in a growingorganization.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, organizational, andrelationship-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-pacedresearch environment and manage multiple priorities with a highdegree of accuracy.

Anticipated Hiring Range

The anticipated hiring range for this position has been establishedas up to $73,000 annually.

Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but notlimited to, the individual’s particular combination of education,skills, and experience, as well as organizationalrequirements.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck.The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans,and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Grade: GGS 11

University Title: BUSINESS SVCS CONSULTANT SR

Application MaterialsApplication Deadline

Open until filled.

Sunday, August 23, 2026

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for thisposition.

Community Information

Kansas City offers the best of both worlds—a vibrant, urbancommunity with Midwestern appeal. The city’s rich history and itsmodern-day, innovative thinking come together to create an eclecticgroup of neighborhoods that offer a little something for everyone.From thriving arts districts, an energetic downtown nightlife,casual to upscale shopping and champion sports teams, you will haveno problem making yourself at home. Of course, one of Kansas City’sbiggest claims to fame is its food, especially its world-famousbarbecue. Foodies will delight in the culinary scene foundthroughout the city. Ranging from award-winning chefs to cozy pizzajoints, Kansas City definitely is not lacking any flavor.

UMKC’s campuses are conveniently nestled in the middle of all theaction. Volker Campus is just minutes from the legendary CountryClub Plaza, perfect for shopping or restaurants for lunch orafter-work happy hours. Surrounded by hip neighborhoods andeateries, the Health Sciences Campus is located downtown nearUniversity Health Truman Medical Center and Children’s MercyHospital.

UMKC is proud to be “Kansas City’s university,” and the campus andits people celebrate all the characteristics of the surroundingcommunity. To learn more about life in Kansas City and find moreresources, visit VisitKC.com.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of yourtotal compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefitspackage, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement,paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parentalleave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for allfour UM System campuses. For additional information on Universitybenefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.