Administrative Director, Interdisciplinary Research Centers

Job Description:

The Administrative Director provides strategic administrative and operational leadership across multiple interdisciplinary research centers embedded within distinct academic departments, including the Giuliani RNA Center, the Center on the Biology of Aging, and other Centers across the Division of Biology and Medicine as assigned. This position is instrumental in advancing the mission and goals of each area. This role requires exceptional leadership to align stakeholders, catalyze collaborations, and quantitatively track programmatic impact against the strategic vision.

Working in close partnership with center directors, executive directors, scientific directors, department managers, internal and external advisory committees, and Division leaders, this position designs and executes a unified administrative model across BioMed centers, driving operational excellence and resource stewardship to achieve the strategic growth goals of the centers, Division, and Brown University

Working in lockstep with Division’s administrative leadership, this position translates divisional policies into local center practices, ensuring a unified approach to finance, research administration, human resources, communications, events, space and facilities planning, and administrative systems. The incumbent is expected to lead through influence in a highly matrixed environment, reconcile sometimes competing priorities, and ensure that center operations are responsive both to local needs and to divisional and university-wide policies and objectives.

The scope of the role spans major research centers with responsibility for building shared administrative infrastructure, strengthening consistency in core business processes, and supporting a portfolio of complex research, faculty, and programmatic activity across the centers. The Director is expected to be highly execution-oriented, with the ability to move initiatives from concept to implementation, ensuring that strategic opportunities are operationalized effectively across a complex, multi-center environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or other advanced degree preferred. Eight to ten years of progressively responsible experience in academic administration, research administration, finance, operations, or related administrative leadership roles, preferably in a complex university, academic medical center, or research-intensive environment.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Demonstrated success working across multiple departments, centers, or units in a matrixed environment, with the ability to lead through influence and to build productive relationships across varied stakeholder groups required.
• Significant experience with financial management, budget planning, and operational oversight required; experience with sponsored projects administration strongly preferred.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, reconcile competing priorities, and advance work through collaboration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex issues, prepare clear and concise materials, and communicate effectively with faculty, senior administrators, and staff at all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated organizational leadership, project management capability, and commitment to service, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Strong computer skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with enterprise financial, HR, and research administration systems; experience with Workday or similar systems preferred.
• The successful applicant must possess a broad and thorough knowledge of University and federal policies/procedures to effectively manage and oversee department resources and activities.

Job Competencies

• Excellent leadership abilities and skills in building and nurturing professional relationships.
• Strong organizational, administrative, and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with personnel at all organizational levels.
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written, to analyze and negotiate complex issues and prepare concise information.
• Strong computer skills, including demonstrated knowledge of computerized financial analysis and database management.
• Ability to satisfy divergent interests, work independently, and manage multi-tasking responsibilities Ability to train and mentor staff to maximize their professional capabilities.

Criminal background and education verification required.

Benefits of Working at Brown:

Please review additional information on the Benefits of Working at Brown.

Recruiting Start Date:

2026-07-09

Job Posting Title:

Administrative Director, Interdisciplinary Research Centers

Department:

BioMed Office of the VP Clinical Affairs & Strategy/COO

Grade:

Grade 12

Worker Type:

Employee

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

Position Work Location:

Hybrid

Submission Guidelines:

Please note that to be considered for a staff position at Brown University, you must submit a separate application for each position you wish to be considered for. Applications are reviewed only for the specific position to which they are submitted and are not automatically considered for future openings.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

The designated Position Work Location for each position determines the approved modality of work. Positions are classified based on the operational and business needs of the department and may be designated as on-site, hybrid, or remote.

Employees with a designated position work location as remote must reside and perform their work in a state where Brown University is registered to do business. Brown University is a registered employer in the following states: Rhode Island, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington, D.C.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [email protected].

Brown is an E-Verify Employer.

EEO Statement:

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.