H-1B Visa Director Of Research Operations Jobs
Director of Research Operations roles qualify as H-1B specialty occupations, typically requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in a research-related field. Universities, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutes are among the most active H-1B sponsors for this title, making institutional and industry employers your strongest targets.
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Associate Controller - Financial Reporting
Job Type
Full Time
Open until filled:
Yes
Requisition:
202500040ES
Educational And Experience Requirement
Bachelors degree in accounting, business, finance, or related field required. Masters degree or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license preferred. Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, post-award management, or sponsored projects accounting or in a related field. Demonstrated leadership experience with a proven record of team building, staff development, and fostering a culture of service. Additional education may be considered in lieu of experience.
Nature And Purpose Of Position
Performs complex and highly advanced managerial work providing direction and guidance in the strategic and operational leadership of the university's post-award administration of sponsored projects, ensuring sponsored projects are managed with excellence throughout their life cycle while serving faculty with integrity, accuracy, and responsiveness, and partnering with researchers, administrators, and external sponsors to remove administrative barriers, safeguard compliance, and empower the pursuit of research.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Provides vision, leadership, and direction for all post-award functions, ensuring alignment with the university's research growth goals.
- Leads, mentors, and develops staff to build a culture of service, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Fosters strong partnerships with Pre-Award, Compliance, Finance, and other key stakeholders to create a seamless research support environment.
- Serves as a primary resource for faculty and research administrators on financial management of sponsored projects.
- Promotes a customer service culture that prioritizes timely, accurate, and proactive support.
- Communicates complex regulations and financial requirements in clear, faculty-friendly language.
- Oversees the full life cycle of post-award activities, including award setup, budget management, invoicing financial reporting, effort certification, and closeout.
- Ensures compliance with federal (Uniform Guidance), state, system, and sponsor regulations.
- Manages risk through timely reconciliations, proactive monitoring, and corrective actions when necessary.
- Establishes policies, procedures, and internal controls that ensure strong financial stewardship of sponsored funds.
- Coordinates audits and review with internal and external entities, ensuring accurate and timely responses.
- Stays current on regulatory changes and sponsor requirements, translating them into effective institutional practices.
- Partners with Pre-Award to improve transition between pre- and post-award and create a unified, faculty-centered research support model.
- Identifies opportunities to streamline processes, leverage technology, and reduce administrative burden on faculty.
- Serves as a bridge between researchers and administrative units, ensuring clear communication and resolution of issues.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Other Specifications
- Expert knowledge of federal, state, and sponsor regulations (Uniform Guidance, NIH, NSF, etc.)
- Strong financial management, budgeting, and compliance skills.
- Must exhibit a high level of professionalism and maturity, executive ability, and a keen understanding of protocol.
- Ability to organize work effectively and prioritize objectives.
- Ability to exercise discretion, excellent reasoning, and independent judgment.
- Assists in the development of policies and operational procedures for the overall department.
- Skilled in directing multiple tasks, setting priorities, and organizing operations.
- Asset and fiscal resources management skills preferred.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with administration, faculty, staff, and the public.
- Strong communication skills, both orally and written.
- Requires the critical judgment for the department, in which very serious consequences on decision-making can occur.
- Interprets and applies complex directives, policies, regulations, statutes, and procedures, and/or written guidelines for a department or major work group.
This position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA).
Sam Houston State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or protected veteran status. The University takes seriously the initiative to ensure equal opportunity in the workforce and to comply with Title VII as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Sam Houston State University is an "at will" employer. Employees with a contract will have additional terms and conditions. Security-sensitive positions at SHSU require background checks in accordance with Education Code 51.215.
Physical Address
Human Resources Department
1831 University Ave, John W. Thomason Bldg. Suite 202
P.O. Box 2356
Huntsville, TX 77341-2356
SHSU Employment Office: (936) 294-1070
Email: Employment@SHSU.edu
Employment Portal: shsu.peopleadmin.com
Department
Associate Controller - Financial Reporting
Job Type
Full Time
Open until filled:
Yes
Requisition:
202500040ES
Educational And Experience Requirement
Bachelors degree in accounting, business, finance, or related field required. Masters degree or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license preferred. Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, post-award management, or sponsored projects accounting or in a related field. Demonstrated leadership experience with a proven record of team building, staff development, and fostering a culture of service. Additional education may be considered in lieu of experience.
Nature And Purpose Of Position
Performs complex and highly advanced managerial work providing direction and guidance in the strategic and operational leadership of the university's post-award administration of sponsored projects, ensuring sponsored projects are managed with excellence throughout their life cycle while serving faculty with integrity, accuracy, and responsiveness, and partnering with researchers, administrators, and external sponsors to remove administrative barriers, safeguard compliance, and empower the pursuit of research.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Provides vision, leadership, and direction for all post-award functions, ensuring alignment with the university's research growth goals.
- Leads, mentors, and develops staff to build a culture of service, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Fosters strong partnerships with Pre-Award, Compliance, Finance, and other key stakeholders to create a seamless research support environment.
- Serves as a primary resource for faculty and research administrators on financial management of sponsored projects.
- Promotes a customer service culture that prioritizes timely, accurate, and proactive support.
- Communicates complex regulations and financial requirements in clear, faculty-friendly language.
- Oversees the full life cycle of post-award activities, including award setup, budget management, invoicing financial reporting, effort certification, and closeout.
- Ensures compliance with federal (Uniform Guidance), state, system, and sponsor regulations.
- Manages risk through timely reconciliations, proactive monitoring, and corrective actions when necessary.
- Establishes policies, procedures, and internal controls that ensure strong financial stewardship of sponsored funds.
- Coordinates audits and review with internal and external entities, ensuring accurate and timely responses.
- Stays current on regulatory changes and sponsor requirements, translating them into effective institutional practices.
- Partners with Pre-Award to improve transition between pre- and post-award and create a unified, faculty-centered research support model.
- Identifies opportunities to streamline processes, leverage technology, and reduce administrative burden on faculty.
- Serves as a bridge between researchers and administrative units, ensuring clear communication and resolution of issues.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Other Specifications
- Expert knowledge of federal, state, and sponsor regulations (Uniform Guidance, NIH, NSF, etc.)
- Strong financial management, budgeting, and compliance skills.
- Must exhibit a high level of professionalism and maturity, executive ability, and a keen understanding of protocol.
- Ability to organize work effectively and prioritize objectives.
- Ability to exercise discretion, excellent reasoning, and independent judgment.
- Assists in the development of policies and operational procedures for the overall department.
- Skilled in directing multiple tasks, setting priorities, and organizing operations.
- Asset and fiscal resources management skills preferred.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with administration, faculty, staff, and the public.
- Strong communication skills, both orally and written.
- Requires the critical judgment for the department, in which very serious consequences on decision-making can occur.
- Interprets and applies complex directives, policies, regulations, statutes, and procedures, and/or written guidelines for a department or major work group.
This position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA).
Sam Houston State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or protected veteran status. The University takes seriously the initiative to ensure equal opportunity in the workforce and to comply with Title VII as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Sam Houston State University is an "at will" employer. Employees with a contract will have additional terms and conditions. Security-sensitive positions at SHSU require background checks in accordance with Education Code 51.215.
Physical Address
Human Resources Department
1831 University Ave, John W. Thomason Bldg. Suite 202
P.O. Box 2356
Huntsville, TX 77341-2356
SHSU Employment Office: (936) 294-1070
Email: Employment@SHSU.edu
Employment Portal: shsu.peopleadmin.com
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Director Of Research Operations
Align your credentials to specialty occupation standards
USCIS requires your degree field to directly relate to the role. A Director of Research Operations position supported by a degree in public health, biomedical science, or research administration strengthens your petition against RFE risk.
Target research-intensive institutions with LCA history
Universities, hospital systems, and pharma companies file LCAs regularly for research operations roles. Search Migrate Mate to filter employers with verified H-1B filing history specifically for research and operations management positions.
Verify the prevailing wage tier before accepting an offer
Run the OFLC Wage Search using the correct SOC code for your role before negotiating compensation. Your offered salary must meet the DOL prevailing wage, and a lower-tier offer can delay LCA certification.
Confirm your employer's E-Verify enrollment early
H-1B sponsors must be enrolled in E-Verify. Directors stepping into roles at smaller research nonprofits or startups should ask HR to confirm enrollment status before your petition is filed, not after.
Document your oversight scope for the specialty occupation test
USCIS scrutinizes operations and management titles. A detailed job duties letter showing you direct research methodology, manage IRB compliance, or oversee grant administration builds the specialty occupation case more effectively than a generic job description.
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Find Director Of Research Operations JobsDirector Of Research Operations H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Director of Research Operations role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, provided the role requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field such as research administration, life sciences, public health, or a related discipline. USCIS will review the job duties, not just the title. Roles with broad generalist duties and no degree field requirement are more likely to receive an RFE challenging specialty occupation status.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for research operations directors?
Research universities, academic medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, government contractors, and large nonprofit research institutes are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for this title. These organizations file LCAs routinely and have established HR processes for sponsorship. You can browse employers with verified H-1B filing history for research operations roles on Migrate Mate.
What SOC code applies to Director of Research Operations for H-1B prevailing wage purposes?
The most commonly applied SOC code is 11-9121 (Natural Sciences Managers) or 11-1021 (General and Operations Managers), depending on how your employer characterizes the role. The DOL prevailing wage is tied to the SOC code selected on the LCA, so confirming the correct code with your employer before filing affects both compliance and compensation benchmarking.
Can a research operations director role face H-1B RFEs, and what triggers them?
Yes. USCIS frequently issues RFEs for operations and management titles when the job duties appear administrative rather than requiring specialized theoretical knowledge. Vague descriptions referencing general oversight, budgeting, or staff management without grounding them in a specific research domain increase RFE risk. A detailed duties letter tied explicitly to a scientific or technical field reduces that exposure significantly.
How does O*NET classify Director of Research Operations for H-1B purposes?
O*NET classifies closely related roles under Natural Sciences Managers and Management Analysts, both of which fall in Job Zone 4 or 5, supporting the specialty occupation argument. Referencing the O*NET profile in your petition documentation helps demonstrate that the position routinely requires advanced knowledge and a degree in a specific field, which is central to USCIS's specialty occupation analysis.
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