Director, Research Administration

Job Summary

Kaiser Permanente Northwest’s Center for Health Research (CHR) is seeking an experienced Director of Research Administration to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Center’s Finance, Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA), and Facilities teams. The position reports to the Vice President for Health Research and is a key member of the CHR Leadership Team. The Director will guide a nationally recognized, extramurally funded research center with 2025 annual revenues over $48 M, champion continuous process improvement, foster strong internal and external partnerships, and ensure regulatory compliance across all financial and sponsored research administration functions.

Regular on‑site engagement is required.

• Prepare individuals for growth opportunities and advancement; build internal collaborative networks; solicit and act on performance feedback; drive collaboration to set goals and provide open feedback and coaching; demonstrate continuous learning; oversee recruitment, selection, and development of talent; ensure performance management guidelines and expectations; stay up to date with best practices; motivate and empower teams; provide guidance for difficult decisions; create opportunities for expanded decision making.
• Oversee the operation of multiple units within the department by identifying member and operational needs; manage work assignment completion; translate business strategy into actionable business requirements; ensure products and services meet member expectations and align with organizational strategies; gain cross‑functional support; assume responsibility for decision making; set standards and measures; communicate goals; analyze resources, costs, and forecasts; prioritize and distribute resources;
  
  remove obstacles; guide performance; develop contingency plans.
• Direct post‑award administration: develop protocols and policies to ensure budget accuracy and approval; plan and execute administrative requirements from funders; manage day‑to‑day post‑award activities (purchasing, expense review, effort and projections, reconciliations, invoicing); recommend and revise standards for annual and final reports; shape strategic plans for long‑term award system success; drive award closeout accuracy and timeliness.
• Direct pre‑award administration: provide expert consultation on proposal preparation and submission; provide regional approval and may act as Institutional Authorized official; develop strategic goals for research methodology and grant management software; ensure stakeholders interpret and apply granting agency policies; act as liaison between departments; create or revise standards and protocols for budget justification; enhance and align resources for timely submissions.
• Direct research accounting: integrate resources and develop process improvements to ensure accurate and timely accounting documentation (invoices, financial reports); plan preparation, review and approval of accounting entries; handle month‑end, year‑end and audit‑related close and analysis.
• Serve as compliance director: develop proposal protocols in compliance with federal, state, local regulations and KP policies; develop organizational research processes and guidance for compliance.
• Direct research administration operations: evaluate and approve operational budgets; recommend system and business process improvements; develop standards to balance portfolio allocation; guide managers on reallocation; drive compliance with research‑specific policies and update policy direction.
• Direct research contracting: plan negotiation of contracts or agreements; provide guidance on complex contracts; recommend process improvement policies; consult on legal terms with investigators.
• Orchestrate internal and external stakeholder relationships: serve as principal institutional contact for legal, purchasing, funders, contractors, and other stakeholders.

• Minimum two (2) years of experience managing operational or project budgets.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in a leadership role with direct reports.
• Bachelor’s degree in Humanities, Sciences,…