[Hiring] Research Operations Director @FHI 360

Role Description

The Research Operations Director leads the strategic and operational support of research initiatives across global health and development sectors. The Director oversees the operational execution of a diverse research portfolio, ensuring projects are delivered on time and in compliance with ethical standards. They lead efforts to optimize workflows, manage shared resources, and interface with operations and enterprise services across the organization to support research initiatives.

Responsibilities / Duties

• Complexity & Problem Solving:
  • Advanced problem-solving skills to navigate complex regulatory environments, multi-country research logistics, and evolving donor requirements.
  • Identifies operational bottlenecks, develops scalable solutions, and ensures alignment with FHI 360’s mission and compliance standards.
  • Designing and implementing systems that streamline research operations across diverse geographies.
  • Anticipating and mitigating risks related to research implementation, ethics, and data security.
  • Driving innovation in research support services, including digital tools and process automation.
• Expertise & Influence:
  • Develops systems and processes to support research implementation and oversight.
  • Influences strategic decisions related to research infrastructure, compliance, and capacity building.
  • Impacts the organization’s reputation to deliver high-quality, compliant, and ethical research on all its projects.
• Key Accountabilities Include:
  • Leading the revision and enforcement of SOPs in conjunction with our Office of International Research Ethics, safeguarding and data security/privacy teams.
  • Integral part of discussions with new and continuing research partners, potential funders, and in leadership meetings.
  • Provides oversight to the development and execution of research project plans, ensuring adherence to SOPs, guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaboration & Interaction:
  • Extensive collaboration across internal departments (e.g., Research, Legal, Finance, HR, IT) and with external stakeholders including donors and regulatory bodies.
  • Communicates with clarity and diplomacy, engaging with VP-level leaders and cross-functional teams.
  • Facilitating cross-functional working groups to support research project lifecycles.
  • Building strong relationships with country offices to ensure local context is integrated into operational planning.
  • Mentoring mid-level managers and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.
  • Implementing project management tools and dashboards to track progress and performance.
  • Leading post-project reviews to capture lessons learned and inform future practices.
  • Embraces other duties as assigned, contributing to the team’s multifaceted and evolving responsibilities.
• Task Management & Efficiency:
  • May supervise direct reports.
  • Overseeing research teams and managing operations.
  • Provide leadership for vendor identification and selection, ensuring proper oversight and performance management.
  • Embraces other duties as assigned, contributing to the team’s multifaceted and evolving responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Understanding of global research operations, including IRB processes, donor compliance, and international research regulations.
• Expertise in operational strategy, risk management, and quality assurance in research settings.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools and data systems used in research environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Project, Excel, and Word, with experience using project management software.
• Master’s degree or its international equivalent in Public Health, Social Sciences, Research Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in operations or project management.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-country portfolios.
• Fluent in English language.
• Experience in NGO or non-profit research settings.
• Relevant degree or its international equivalent, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience to perform job responsibilities effectively.

Requirements

• Project Management (PM) certification preferred but not required.
• 5 years’ experience in a leadership role is preferred.
• We welcome candidates with other relevant certifications or their international equivalents.

Benefits

• FHI 360 contributes 7% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan account.
• All US-based staff working full-time receive 18 days of paid vacation per year, 12 sick days per year, and 11 holidays per year.
• Paid time off is reduced pro rata for employees working less than a full-time schedule.