Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director, Networks and Innovation, the Director of Research Resources will lead research proposal development and planning for strategic interdisciplinary research activities advanced by School of Public Health Innovation Research Networks (IRN). The Director of Network Resources will have a strong science aptitude and will work collaboratively with IRN faculty co-directors and managers, and other IRN team members to support the development of complex proposals by providing the highest level of service possible. This role leads multiple proposals simultaneously and operates at a high level under considerable deadline pressure. This role will serve as a strategic funding consultant to INR researchers and will work collaboratively with faculty across the INRs to support the School of Public Health’s mission and strategic priorities. The DRD will lead a shared services support team encompassing dedicated monitoring/impact evaluation and grant writing/editing personnel.

Job Description

Provides Comprehensive Proposal Development Services for the Innovation Research Networks (IRN) Principal Investigators.

• Development of larger-scale (>$1M) interdisciplinary grant proposals and other strategic research programs. Proposal development duties include obtaining competitive intelligence on funding opportunities, facilitating IRN team building and ideation, writing and editing proposal sections, and leading external review of proposals.
• Provides comprehensive guidance to faculty and other personnel during the scientific brainstorming, planning, and decision-making for proposal applications.
• Works with government agencies, donor organizations and private sponsors to understand funding strategies and initiatives and to identify needs and synergies with university researchers.
• Develops and maintains relationships with funding organizations on behalf of IRN leadership. Organizes and hosts workshops, seminars, and events to further cultivate and develop relationships with program officers and sponsors.
• Provides high-quality, high-impact mentorship/expertise to faculty and develops and implements training and outreach, including workshops for SPH faculty.

Manages and Directs the Day-To-Day Organization and Functioning of Shared IRN Resources.

• Develops and implements policies, procedures and processes to ensure transparency and clarity about how shared resources may be accessed and utilized across the IRNs.
• Ensures IRN shared service operations are integrated, efficient, and sustainable.
• Evaluates overall organizational performance by gathering, analyzing and interpreting data and metrics
• Directs and supervises core IRN shared service staff for monitoring/impact evaluation and grant writing/editing.
• Ensures equitable access to shared IRN staff, assets and resources.

Develops and Maintains Collegial and Collaborative Working Relationships with IRN Co-Directors and Managers.

• Serves as the primary point of contact for IRN shared services.
• Works closely with IRN Co-Directors and Managers to identify network-specific priorities and needs.
• Convenes and leads a regular cadence of meetings with IRN Managers.

Promotes a Culture of High Performance and Continuous Improvement.

• Establishes and monitors staff performance and professional development goals, conducts annual performance appraisals as required.
• Prepares annual workplans for IRN shared services, with milestones, metrics and associated budgets.
• Convenes and leads weekly meetings with IRN core staff to align across all tasks, tracks status, develops/reassesses timelines and prioritizes activities.
• Tracks and analyzes project metrics for evaluation and provides recommendations for improvements/efficiencies in the delivery of IRN shared services.
• Prepares quarterly progress/status reports for the Executive Director, Networks and Innovation and co-directors of each IRN, and other reports and presentations as required.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment
• Work Location: 4300 Duncan Avenue, St. Louis, MO (As of 7/1/25)
• Ability to travel to various on- and off-campus locations

Physical Effort

• Typically working at desk or table
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Relevant Experience (8 Years), Supervisory (3 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Required Qualifications:

• Eight years’ experience managing, developing, scientific writing and editing, and reviewing multi-investigator grant applications, preferably in a research-intensive university or similar public or private sector organization.
• Three years of supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in social sciences, natural sciences, or scientific and technical writing.
• Experience leading, managing and/or facilitating the research efforts of multi-disciplinary research teams.
• Five years’ or more experience as a supervisor, exercising a high degree of autonomy and using skills in planning, initiative and problem-solving.
• Excellent attention to detail, locating and interpreting information related to project management and budgeting.
• Working knowledge of data analysis and performance/operation metrics.
• Prior experience working in a shared services model.
• Experience analyzing RFAs, RFPs and other funding calls.
• Experience planning events, seminars, workshops for large groups, including development of agendas and active facilitation of such events.
• Ability to be effective in a fast-paced environment and to meet deadlines.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize changing needs and work under pressure.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of autonomy, using strategic skills in staff planning, initiative and problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to develop alliances and coordinate shared interests of all parties.
• Proficient in the use of software programs such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability to work with different constituencies in the university and external public and private organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Certifications:

No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Skills:

Communication, Competitive Intelligence (CI), Consulting, Grant Proposals, Grant Proposal Writing, Multitasking, People Management, Planning Ability, Quality Control (QC), Researching, Research Methodologies, Scientific Writing

Grade

G15

Salary Range

$84,200.00 - $148,500.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO/AA Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.