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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Get Access To All JobsTemple University's School of Medicine is searching for a Director, Research Finance and Operations!
Become a part of the Temple family and you will have access to the following:
Full medical, dental, vision coverage
Paid time off
9 Federally Observed Paid Holidays
3 Personal Days
Tuition remission - eligible employees and their dependents can obtain a degree TUITION FREE
A generous retirement plan and so much more!
Position Summary:
The Director, Research Finance & Operations, provides strategic financial, operational, analytical, and project management support to the Executive Director of Research Administration (EDRA) for the Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM). This elevated role serves as a key partner in the financial management and operational advancement of the School’s growing research enterprise, with responsibility for research financial analysis, forecasting, reporting, data analytics, process improvement, and strategic project execution.
The Director translates complex financial and operational data into actionable information to support executive decision-making, resource planning, risk management, and the effective stewardship of sponsored research and other research-related activities. The position develops and maintains reporting tools, dashboards, financial models, standardized processes, and other resources that promote consistency, transparency, and informed decision-making across research administration.
Dually reporting to the Executive Director of Research Administration and the Executive Director, Finance, the Director works collaboratively with the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR), Business Intelligence, Finance, research administrators, faculty, and other institutional partners. The position supports alignment between School and University priorities, strengthens financial and operational controls, identifies opportunities for improvement, and advances strategic initiatives across the research enterprise.
This position plays a critical role in helping LKSOM manage the complexity and continued growth of its research portfolio by connecting financial analysis, operational data, and strategic planning to improve performance, promote compliance, mitigate risk, and support the School’s research mission.
Job Details:
This position requires the following background checks: criminal history review
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree and at least 6 years of directly related experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Required Skills and Abilities:
- High-level proficiency with Excel (pivot tables, lookups, modeling), and comfort working with large data sets.
- Experience with research administration systems (e.g. Banner, Oncore, Effort Reporting systems, etc).
- Strong understanding of pre-award and post-award processes, including budgeting, expenditure tracking, effort reporting, and compliance requirements.
- Strong writing skills for reports, justifications, and policy documentation
Preferred Skills and Abilities:
- Experience supporting research service/recharge centers and sponsored program financial operations.
- Ability to maintain, enhance, and integrate data across multiple systems, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
- Ability to analyze complex research, financial, and operational data to support institutional decision-making.
Essential Duties:
Data, Analytics & Reporting
- Lead the collection, organization, validation, and analysis of research-related financial and operational data for internal and external reporting and decision-making.
- Develop and maintain high-level reports, dashboards, metrics, and analytical tools for executive leadership and research administration.
- Monitor research financial and operational trends and identify data discrepancies, gaps, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
- Maintain and enhance databases, spreadsheets, tracking tools, and other resources supporting sponsored programs, research service centers, clinical research, and research administration operations.
- Collaborate with Business Intelligence, Finance, OVPR, and other institutional partners to improve data quality, reporting capabilities, and integration across systems.
- Establish and maintain standardized definitions, reporting methodologies, and documentation for key research administration metrics.
Research Finance & Sponsored Programs
- Provide financial analysis and operational support for sponsored programs and research service centers.
- Prepare grant activity summaries, budget forecasts, expenditure analyses, financial projections, and other financial reports.
- Partner with research administrators and principal investigators to monitor grant expenditures and ensure adherence to approved budgets, University policies, sponsor requirements, and applicable regulations.
- Review expenditure transactions for compliance with sponsor terms, University policies, and applicable accounting requirements.
- Monitor sponsored program closeout activities and coordinate follow-up necessary to bring financial and accounting processes to appropriate conclusion.
- Support preparation and review of final financial reports and required supporting documentation.
- Maintain appropriate records of grant applications, awards, financial activity, and status information in applicable research administration systems.
- Provide guidance to research personnel regarding sponsored program financial matters, including budgeting, expenditures, effort reporting, and financial compliance.
- Develop tools, templates, and standardized processes to improve financial stewardship and consistency across research units.
- Support the development of business cases, financial models, and financial analyses for new research initiatives.
Other Responsibilities
- Prepare and distribute recurring financial and operational reports, including monthly, quarterly, and year-end reports.
- Provide analytical and operational support to the EDRA on special projects and strategic initiatives.
- Serve as a resource to research administrators, faculty, and staff on research-related financial and operational matters.
- Train and/or assist in the training of research personnel to promote effective application of University policies, procedures, practices, and standards.
- Support EDRA in the other areas such as:
- Developing and maintaining practical "how-to" guides, job aids, FAQs, checklists, workflow diagrams, and other resources to support consistent application of research administration processes.
- Identify recurring questions, process gaps, and training needs and develop educational resources to address them.
- Tracking and reporting progress on strategic initiatives led by the EDRA, including policy development, financial modeling, system enhancements, data initiatives, and operational improvements.
- Developing standardized templates and documentation to promote consistency across research administration functions.
- Coordinating periodic review and revision of research administration procedures and guidance.
- Working with appropriate subject matter experts and institutional offices to ensure documentation accurately reflects current University policies and requirements.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
This position is assigned a hybrid work arrangement (on-campus and remote), the duration of this hybrid work arrangement is at the discretion of Temple University and the Department.
Temple University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in every aspect of its operations, including employment, service, and educational programs. The University has pledged not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or veteran status.
Compliance Statement: In the performance of their functions as detailed in the position description employees have an obligation to avoid ethical, legal, financial and other conflicts of interest to ensure that their actions and outside activities do not conflict with their primary employment responsibilities at the institution. Employees are also expected to understand and be in compliance with applicable laws, University and employment policies and regulations, including NCAA regulations for areas and departments which their essential functions cause them to interact.
Temple University's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains statistics, policies, and procedures related to campus safety. Go here to review: https://safety.temple.edu/reports-logs/annual-security-report
You may request a copy of the report by calling Temple University’s Department of Public Safety at 215-204-7900.
Temple University's School of Medicine is searching for a Director, Research Finance and Operations!
Become a part of the Temple family and you will have access to the following:
Full medical, dental, vision coverage
Paid time off
9 Federally Observed Paid Holidays
3 Personal Days
Tuition remission - eligible employees and their dependents can obtain a degree TUITION FREE
A generous retirement plan and so much more!
Position Summary:
The Director, Research Finance & Operations, provides strategic financial, operational, analytical, and project management support to the Executive Director of Research Administration (EDRA) for the Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM). This elevated role serves as a key partner in the financial management and operational advancement of the School’s growing research enterprise, with responsibility for research financial analysis, forecasting, reporting, data analytics, process improvement, and strategic project execution.
The Director translates complex financial and operational data into actionable information to support executive decision-making, resource planning, risk management, and the effective stewardship of sponsored research and other research-related activities. The position develops and maintains reporting tools, dashboards, financial models, standardized processes, and other resources that promote consistency, transparency, and informed decision-making across research administration.
Dually reporting to the Executive Director of Research Administration and the Executive Director, Finance, the Director works collaboratively with the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR), Business Intelligence, Finance, research administrators, faculty, and other institutional partners. The position supports alignment between School and University priorities, strengthens financial and operational controls, identifies opportunities for improvement, and advances strategic initiatives across the research enterprise.
This position plays a critical role in helping LKSOM manage the complexity and continued growth of its research portfolio by connecting financial analysis, operational data, and strategic planning to improve performance, promote compliance, mitigate risk, and support the School’s research mission.
Job Details:
This position requires the following background checks: criminal history review
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree and at least 6 years of directly related experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Required Skills and Abilities:
- High-level proficiency with Excel (pivot tables, lookups, modeling), and comfort working with large data sets.
- Experience with research administration systems (e.g. Banner, Oncore, Effort Reporting systems, etc).
- Strong understanding of pre-award and post-award processes, including budgeting, expenditure tracking, effort reporting, and compliance requirements.
- Strong writing skills for reports, justifications, and policy documentation
Preferred Skills and Abilities:
- Experience supporting research service/recharge centers and sponsored program financial operations.
- Ability to maintain, enhance, and integrate data across multiple systems, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
- Ability to analyze complex research, financial, and operational data to support institutional decision-making.
Essential Duties:
Data, Analytics & Reporting
- Lead the collection, organization, validation, and analysis of research-related financial and operational data for internal and external reporting and decision-making.
- Develop and maintain high-level reports, dashboards, metrics, and analytical tools for executive leadership and research administration.
- Monitor research financial and operational trends and identify data discrepancies, gaps, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
- Maintain and enhance databases, spreadsheets, tracking tools, and other resources supporting sponsored programs, research service centers, clinical research, and research administration operations.
- Collaborate with Business Intelligence, Finance, OVPR, and other institutional partners to improve data quality, reporting capabilities, and integration across systems.
- Establish and maintain standardized definitions, reporting methodologies, and documentation for key research administration metrics.
Research Finance & Sponsored Programs
- Provide financial analysis and operational support for sponsored programs and research service centers.
- Prepare grant activity summaries, budget forecasts, expenditure analyses, financial projections, and other financial reports.
- Partner with research administrators and principal investigators to monitor grant expenditures and ensure adherence to approved budgets, University policies, sponsor requirements, and applicable regulations.
- Review expenditure transactions for compliance with sponsor terms, University policies, and applicable accounting requirements.
- Monitor sponsored program closeout activities and coordinate follow-up necessary to bring financial and accounting processes to appropriate conclusion.
- Support preparation and review of final financial reports and required supporting documentation.
- Maintain appropriate records of grant applications, awards, financial activity, and status information in applicable research administration systems.
- Provide guidance to research personnel regarding sponsored program financial matters, including budgeting, expenditures, effort reporting, and financial compliance.
- Develop tools, templates, and standardized processes to improve financial stewardship and consistency across research units.
- Support the development of business cases, financial models, and financial analyses for new research initiatives.
Other Responsibilities
- Prepare and distribute recurring financial and operational reports, including monthly, quarterly, and year-end reports.
- Provide analytical and operational support to the EDRA on special projects and strategic initiatives.
- Serve as a resource to research administrators, faculty, and staff on research-related financial and operational matters.
- Train and/or assist in the training of research personnel to promote effective application of University policies, procedures, practices, and standards.
- Support EDRA in the other areas such as:
- Developing and maintaining practical "how-to" guides, job aids, FAQs, checklists, workflow diagrams, and other resources to support consistent application of research administration processes.
- Identify recurring questions, process gaps, and training needs and develop educational resources to address them.
- Tracking and reporting progress on strategic initiatives led by the EDRA, including policy development, financial modeling, system enhancements, data initiatives, and operational improvements.
- Developing standardized templates and documentation to promote consistency across research administration functions.
- Coordinating periodic review and revision of research administration procedures and guidance.
- Working with appropriate subject matter experts and institutional offices to ensure documentation accurately reflects current University policies and requirements.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
This position is assigned a hybrid work arrangement (on-campus and remote), the duration of this hybrid work arrangement is at the discretion of Temple University and the Department.
Temple University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in every aspect of its operations, including employment, service, and educational programs. The University has pledged not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or veteran status.
Compliance Statement: In the performance of their functions as detailed in the position description employees have an obligation to avoid ethical, legal, financial and other conflicts of interest to ensure that their actions and outside activities do not conflict with their primary employment responsibilities at the institution. Employees are also expected to understand and be in compliance with applicable laws, University and employment policies and regulations, including NCAA regulations for areas and departments which their essential functions cause them to interact.
Temple University's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains statistics, policies, and procedures related to campus safety. Go here to review: https://safety.temple.edu/reports-logs/annual-security-report
You may request a copy of the report by calling Temple University’s Department of Public Safety at 215-204-7900.
See all 1,359+ 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.
Frequently 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 visa 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.