Program Director - Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Adversity (CIRCA)

Oklahoma State University - Tulsa, OK

Full-time - Mid Level

Tulsa, OK

Educational Services

About the position

The Program Director for the Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Adversity (CIRCA) at Oklahoma State University will provide strategic and operational leadership to advance the center's mission. This role involves managing the center's activities, ensuring compliance with NIH funding requirements, and fostering academic and community engagement. The Program Director will work closely with the Principal Investigator and the administrative leadership team to enhance research productivity and maintain funding success.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Principal Investigator and Center leadership to implement CIRCA's strategic vision in line with NIH COBRE/P20 funding requirements.
• Foster a cooperative environment among staff to enhance research productivity and the Center's impact in childhood adversity research.
• Act as the primary liaison for CIRCA's communications and external relations, representing its mission and achievements to stakeholders.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators to assess the Center's progress and alignment with NIH funding goals for future eligibility.
• Ensure compliance with NIH funding mandates alongside the Principal Investigator, including progress reports, sponsor communication, renewal applications, and IRB coordination.
• Direct operational objectives specific to NIH COBRE/P20 standards, organizing Center activities and advisory committee meetings.
• Develop and implement procedures that align with NIH guidelines and best practices to improve operational efficiency.
• Conduct regular internal audits and employ risk management strategies to ensure compliance with NIH regulations and mitigate grant management risks.
• Collaborate with OSU financial resources to create and manage multi-year budgets in compliance with NIH COBRE or P20 regulations.
• Oversee pre- and post-award processes with university offices to ensure budget compliance, timely reporting, and financial reconciliations.
• Provide regular budget forecasts and reports to support financial decisions aligned with CIRCA's funding and objectives.
• Enhance CIRCA's outreach to strengthen relationships with local entities, organizations, and national partners.
• Identify and pursue new opportunities for the Center's growth in line with NIH COBRE goals and CIRCA's research focus.
• Assist the Principal Investigator in developing memoranda of understanding with partners to establish clear protocols for collaborative research.
• Support early-career researchers and faculty by sharing insights on grant management and best practices in research administration.
• Oversee and facilitate the professional development of CIRCA's administrative team, which includes direct management of administrative support personnel.
• Foster a cooperative and professional atmosphere within CIRCA, promoting cross-training and the exchange of knowledge among the various teams within the Center.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, public health, research administration, a related field or equivalent experience.
• Five (5) or more years of experience in research program administration, particularly within NIH or federally funded research centers.
• Demonstrated knowledge of NIH COBRE, P20, or similar center grant requirements, including financial compliance, operational management, and program evaluation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) and other office management software.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in business administration, public health, research administration, or related field is strongly preferred.
• Experience in grant administration, including budget management, federal reporting, and NIH or similar federal grant compliance.
• Experience with Ellucian Banner ERP System and other grant management tools.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to navigate complex organizational structures and support diverse stakeholders.