Director Of Research Operations Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Director of Research Operations roles attract H-1B visa and O-1 visa sponsorship from universities, biotech firms, and research institutions. Most require a master's or PhD in a relevant field, and employers regularly sponsor because qualified candidates with operational research leadership experience are scarce. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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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
See all 17+ Director Of Research Operations jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Director Of Research Operations Jobs
Target research-intensive employers
Universities, academic medical centers, and biotech companies sponsor research operations directors far more consistently than general corporations. These organizations have dedicated HR infrastructure for visa petitions and sponsor repeatedly across departments.
Lead with your operational track record
Sponsorship decisions hinge on demonstrating irreplaceability. Quantify the scale of research programs you've managed, budgets overseen, and compliance frameworks you've built. Concrete outcomes make the specialty occupation case stronger for USCIS adjudicators.
Understand the specialty occupation standard
USCIS requires your role to normally demand a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific specialty. For research operations directors, a degree in public health, biology, or research administration typically satisfies this. Generic management degrees alone can weaken the petition.
Ask about visa history during interviews
Some employers have sponsored research operations directors before; others haven't. Asking early whether they've filed H-1B petitions signals you understand the process and helps you gauge how much internal education you'll need to provide.
Consider O-1A if H-1B lottery is a concern
Directors with published research, major grant funding, or recognized leadership roles in national associations may qualify for the O-1A visa, which has no annual cap or lottery. It rewards demonstrable impact over academic credentials alone.
Get your credentials evaluated if your degree is foreign
If you earned your degree outside the U.S., a credential evaluation from a NACES-member evaluator is essential. Research operations roles often require field-specific degrees, so confirming equivalency before applying prevents delays in the petition process.
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Find Director Of Research Operations JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Director of Research Operations roles typically qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. Director of Research Operations positions generally qualify as H-1B specialty occupations because they normally require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as research administration, public health, life sciences, or a related discipline. Employers at universities, hospital systems, and biotech firms sponsor this title regularly. Roles that blend general management with research oversight can face closer USCIS scrutiny, so the job description must clearly articulate the degree requirement.
What degree do employers typically require for a sponsored Director of Research Operations role?
Most employers require at least a master's degree in a relevant field, with a PhD preferred for positions at research universities or NIH-funded institutions. Common qualifying fields include research administration, public health, biomedical sciences, clinical research, or a discipline directly related to the research programs being managed. A general business or MBA degree alone may not satisfy USCIS specialty occupation requirements without substantial field-specific experience.
How does the H-1B lottery affect my chances of getting sponsored in this role?
If you're subject to the H-1B cap, your petition enters the annual lottery, which selected roughly 25% of registrations in recent fiscal years. However, many Director of Research Operations positions are at cap-exempt employers, particularly universities, nonprofit research institutions, and affiliated teaching hospitals. Cap-exempt employers can file H-1B petitions year-round with no lottery, making them significantly more practical targets if you're currently outside H-1B status.
Could I qualify for an O-1A visa as a Director of Research Operations?
Possibly, if your career includes markers of distinction recognized by USCIS under the O-1A criteria. These include peer-reviewed publications, major grants awarded in your name, judging the work of others in your field, a critical role at a distinguished institution, or membership in selective professional associations. Research operations leaders who have built national programs, secured large federal funding, or hold leadership roles in organizations like NCURA may have a credible O-1A case worth evaluating with an immigration attorney.
Where can I find Director of Research Operations jobs that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate curates visa-sponsorship-friendly job listings specifically for international candidates, making it a practical starting point for this search. Beyond the job board, focus your outreach on R1 research universities, academic medical centers, and federally funded research institutes, where sponsorship infrastructure already exists. Filtering by employer type before applying saves significant time, since sponsorship willingness varies sharply between sectors.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Director Of Research Operations jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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