Senior Associate Director, Institutional Research Funding

Penn Information Systems & Computing

Senior Associate Director serving as the operational leader for institutional research funding programs. Managing award processes, collaborating with stakeholders, and driving engagement in research initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania.

Posted 6/9/2026full-timePhiladelphia • Pennsylvania • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $110,907 - $135,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Tableau

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serves as the central operational leader for OVPR’s portfolio of institutional funding programs
Manages the competitive review and award processes for OVPR’s centrally managed funding opportunities
Oversees university-wide platforms that support the research funding ecosystem
Collaborates closely with the Vice Provost for Research to develop metrics, produce data-driven reports, and communicate insights about Penn’s research funding portfolio
Leads outreach, communications, and training efforts to drive engagement across Penn’s schools and research centers

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in a relevant field preferred
7-10 years in research administration, higher education, or related field
Demonstrated experience in grant or award administration, program management, or closely related function in a research or higher education context
Proven ability to manage complex, multi-phase programs and workflows
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; experience with data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI preferred
Familiarity with research information platforms such as Pivot, InfoReady, or similar systems
Comfortable working with institutional or sponsored research data, and translating quantitative findings into clear narratives
Strong written and verbal communication skills

Benefits

Comp & perks

comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
flexible spending accounts
exceptional tuition benefits for employees, spouses, and dependent children
generous retirement plans including Basic, Matching, and Supplemental options
substantial paid time off
long-term care insurance
wellness and work-life resources
professional and personal development resources
access to university resources including libraries, athletic facilities, and cultural activities
discounts on goods and services

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

grant administrationaward administrationprogram managementdata analysisdata visualizationMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft PowerPointTableauPower BIresearch data management

Soft Skills

leadershipcommunicationcollaborationorganizational skillsdata-driven reportingoutreachtrainingengagement