Director of Population Health Research Operations
University of Chicago
Department
BSD IPP - Research
About the Department
Job Summary
The Director will recruit, train, and mentor diverse research staff. By building strong and collaborative research teams, the Director will steer the direction, promote trust, and ensure the timely completion of milestones and deliverables for multiple population health and clinical research projects.
The Director will uphold adherence to the highest level of quality and compliance measures using established and innovative approaches. While working closely and synergistically with diverse stakeholders within and outside the institution, including administrative teams, academic/clinical/research partners, and community organizations, the Director will analyze complex research and operation/process-related data, prepare protocols, technical reports/publications, as well as progress and compliance reports as needed by internal leadership, institutional leadership and funding and regulatory agencies.
The Director works independently, takes initiative, evaluates/assesses barriers and challenges, and solves problems with minimal guidance. They will utilize their in-depth knowledge, expertise, and experience in research methods, project management and implementation, and an outstanding relevant track record to implement best practices and guidelines that will drive success, results, and sustain positive impact on the Institution.
This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding, which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Serve as a strategic partner and co-lead on research and operational initiatives, fostering a culture of bidirectional communication and shared ownership.
Provide complementary leadership by aligning scientific objectives with operational strategies, ensuring projects are executed efficiently, ethically, and with rigor.
Actively engage in open dialogue with investigators, staff, and stakeholders to exchange insights, offer feedback, and promote mutual accountability throughout all phases of project planning and implementation.
Project Leadership & Implementation
Lead operational planning and execution of large, complex population health research projects within a multidisciplinary biomedical institute.
Apply exceptional knowledge and experience in Population Research Operations, including tools, methods, and implementation approaches.
Design and implement research workflows, policies, and operational principles that support scalable and efficient project execution.
Develop long-range plans for research programs and ensure research projects progress according to scope, timeline, and budget.
Manage, investigate, and adapt new procedures, techniques, or technologies to enhance research operations.
Oversee the establishment of goals, operating procedures, and institutional guidelines for research project success.
Contribute to strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives that support the research group’s long-term mission and sustainability.
Team Management & Development
Recruit, train, supervise, and mentor diverse research staff across multiple projects, fostering professional development and performance excellence.
Build and sustain high-performing, collaborative teams with a demonstrated ability to strengthen trust and produce measurable positive results.
Promote a culture of inclusion, transparency, accountability, and continuous learning within the research operations environment.
Compliance, Quality, & Oversight
Ensure research operations are compliant with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, directives, and mandates.
Uphold the highest standards of research quality and integrity using both established procedures and innovative solutions.
Monitor progress and provide oversight to ensure that milestones, reporting requirements, and deliverables are met across all active studies.
Prepare and submit protocols, technical reports, scientific publications, and compliance documentation for stakeholders including internal leadership, funders, and regulatory agencies.
Stakeholder Engagement
Thoughtfully engage and collaborate with a diverse range of academic, clinical, administrative, and community stakeholders.
Act as a strategic liaison to coordinate communication and project alignment across institutional and external partners.
Cultivate and maintain strong, effective partnerships that support shared goals and the successful implementation of research initiatives.
Data Analysis & Decision Support
Analyze complex operational, process-related, and research data to guide strategic decision-making and improve project performance.
Use best practices, data insights, and awareness of institutional and external trends to ensure sustained success and organizational impact.
Evaluate barriers and develop solutions independently to keep research operations on track and aligned with institutional goals.
Other Responsibilities
Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates.
Develops long-range plans for research projects and oversees the development of research projects. Ensures research projects progress according to plan.
Manages grant/funding applications. Establishes, monitors, and controls project budgets.
Manages, investigates, modifies and applies new procedures, techniques or applications of technology. Oversees the establishment of goals and operating procedures, practices, and guidelines. Develops research in area of expertise. Writes articles, reports and manuscripts. Presents research findings at meetings and/or conference.
Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Master's degree in Public Health, Health Science, Health Administration, or another related field.
Experience:
Experience providing training and supervision of study coordinators and research managers, technical and field staff in subject recruitment, consenting, and collection of data and biospecimen samples; implementing troubleshooting processes and quality control procedures to ensure high-quality data acquisition with the highest possible response rates in all study phases.
Experience working with study sponsors on project implementation, collection of data (including adverse events), ensuring staff adhere to Good Clinical Practice and ethical standards, accurate data collection, biological samples, and secure research and clinical data transfer.
Experience providing support for satellite site coordinators, where multiple locations will support key population health programs.
Experience working closely with a community research and marketing/outreach team on the implementation of study procedures on the mobile unit and in diverse clinical contexts.
Experience working with the PIs/Co-Is/Scientific Directors in the planning, development, piloting, and evaluation of the research/establishment of cohorts and/or clinical trials; assist in the development of new projects and preparation of study reports, and manuscripts for publication.
Experience working with administrative team members as it pertains to HR, budgetary, and other institutional, funding agency, and state/federal guidelines and regulations relevant to the projects.
Preferred Competencies
Knowledge of developing, designing, and conducting research projects, including planning new procedures, adapting existing procedures to the needs of the project, and making impactful contributions.
Comprehensive understanding of compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates and overseeing study coordination and implementation, and managing rigorous quality control.
Knowledgeable about Institutional Review Board (IRB) preparation; developing data collection instruments; assisting with building databases and subject recruitment, screening, and data collection tools.
Familiar with the oversight of study participants, protocol adherence, and providing oversight of study-related procedures (e.g., interviews, phlebotomies, and follow-ups) and establishing data quality control checks. This work will involve both in-clinic recruitment as well as engaging community participants and overseeing research in the community, as well as at multiple satellite sites.
Proficient with preparing presentations, media, and curricular materials related to research and preparation of proposals and other relevant academic, educational, research, and administrative tasks for IPPH as deemed necessary by the IPPH Director.
Working Conditions
Office and event-based environment.
Application Documents
Resume (required)
Cover Letter (required)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Role Impact
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
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