University of Notre Dame

Associate Director of Research Operations

Notre Dame, IN, United States · Director · Contract

Sponsorship not specified$60k-$742kDetected 14 hours ago

BudgetingResearchExperimental DesignLeadershipCommunicationCollaboration

About the role

The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace!
Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person-mind, body, and spirit.
Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well-being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world.

Responsibilities

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration.
We value the community, collaboration, and relationship-building that comes from in-person engagement, we anticipate an on-site presence for this position.

Requirements

Strong candidates are experienced people leaders with exceptional strategic judgment, operational expertise, and communication skills who thrive in fast-paced, mission-driven environments.
Experience working within nonprofit or mission-driven organizations and familiarity with impact evaluation or applied research methodologies are highly valued.
A resume and cover letter are required to be considered for this position.

Nice to have

Evaluate project viability, identify portfolio-wide trends and risks, and guide research teams toward successful execution
Oversee operational planning and execution across all phases of impact evaluations, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and with fidelity
Serve as the operational integrator for LEO's Research function, aligning research operations with project development, dissemination, and organizational priorities
Strengthen collaboration across departments to improve communication, workflow efficiency, and research outcomes
Guide research operations supporting proposal development, external funding, and post-award reporting
Bachelor's degree required
Experience with impact evaluation or evidence-based research is strongly preferred.
Strong commitment to the missions of Notre Dame and LEO

Compensation

Up to $125,000 annually | Commensurate with experience

Company info

The Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) at the University of Notre Dame is a research center dedicated to reducing poverty by partnering with service providers to conduct rigorous impact evaluations.
LEO's mission is to improve lives through evidence-based programs and policies, empowering decision-makers with data that drives lasting social change.
As LEO continues to expand its national research portfolio, so does the opportunity to strengthen the operational systems that bring innovative ideas to life.
The Associate Director of Research Operations plays a central role in advancing that mission by leading research operations across every stage of the project lifecycle-from project exploration and study design to implementation, dissemination, and real-world impact.
Positioned at the intersection of research strategy, people leadership, and operational excellence, this role helps ensure LEO's evidence reaches the communities, organizations, and policymakers working to reduce poverty.
LEO is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as its Associate Director of Research Operations.
Reporting to the Managing Director, this role will oversee the operational execution of LEO's research portfolio while leading multidisciplinary teams, guiding project strategy, and ensuring rigorous studies move efficiently from concept to completion.
As the operational counterpart to Research leadership, the Associate Director will drive portfolio management, supervise research operations staff, strengthen cross-functional collaboration, and remove barriers that enable high-quality research to thrive.
This role is ideal for an accomplished people leader with exceptional organizational, analytical, and communication skills who excels at managing complex initiatives in fast-paced, mission-driven environments.
Successful candidates will bring demonstrated leadership experience, sound strategic judgment, and the ability to balance competing priorities while fostering collaboration across researchers, faculty, provider partners, and internal teams.
The Associate Director of Research Operations' top priorities will be:
Research Portfolio Leadership
Lead the strategic execution of LEO's research portfolio from exploratory development through active implementation and dissemination
Drive timely decision-making while ensuring projects remain aligned with organizational priorities and research excellence
Research Operations & Implementation
Anticipate and resolve operational bottlenecks while developing scalable systems that strengthen research quality and consistency
Coordinate cross-functional teams and external partners to achieve ambitious research, enrollment, and implementation goals
Leadership & Team Development
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Research Operations team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous professional growth
Establish team priorities, allocate resources, and build operational processes that support an expanding research portfolio
Create an environment that empowers staff while maintaining high standards of quality, performance, and service
Cross-Functional Strategy & Organizational Integration
Partner closely with Research Faculty, Faculty Affiliates, and senior leadership to advance strategic initiatives and organizational effectiveness
Research Excellence & External Partnerships

Equal opportunity

Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment.

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