Mass General Brigham
Research Administrative Director, Wellman Center for Photomedicine
40 Blossom Street, Boston, MA
Full-time · $124k–$181k (as posted)
First seen by offpeak October 22, 2026
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Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.
Job Summary
The Administrative Director is responsible for setting administrative direction (i.e., policies and procedures, systems, etc.) and coordinating the research aspects of the organization. Drawing on a broad understanding of Hospital and sponsor policies and requirements, and displaying a high degree of initiative and independent judgment, the incumbent will collaborate closely with physicians, scientists and leadership to continually assess and direct a wide range of research issues, including financial, personnel, operational, regulatory, facilities, systems, programmatic development, long-range planning and project development for the organization.Does this position require Patient Care? No
Essential Functions
-Assist in establishing and operationalizing the strategic priorities which include, research, faculty recruitment/retention, education and fundraising.
-Supervise the budgetary process, including review and approval of funding requests, as well as serve as liaison to the Development Office in providing strategic guidance and involvement with fund raising.
-Performs funding analyses, including forecasting anticipated deficits/surpluses.
-Oversee management of symposia and visits/lectures by outside researchers in the areas relevant to stem cell research to benefit the research community.
-Develops and implements tools, systems and resources to support and facilitate proposal and award activities and to improve coordination of grant activities among principal investigators and Research Management.
-Works in concert with Research Management and principal investigators to ensure the continuity of the overall research effort.
-Manages all phases of research grant and contract administration, including personnel management and staff training/development.
-Oversees and approves research financial transactional activities (payroll, travel requests, MSS employee changes, journal entries, check requests, etc.) as appropriate; Oversees research expense (telephones, staffing, etc.) management issues; Oversees these activities as they occur at the Divisional and laboratory level; Performs comparative analyses; Develops and implements policies and procedures and strategies for cost containment.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required in management, finance or related discipline; Master’s degree preferred.
- Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree? No
Experience
- Minimum of 5 to 7 years of directly related management experience within research settings.
- Research or technical experience in an academic environment is a plus.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Exceptional organizational skills and ability to organize time and priorities effectively.
- Ability to skillfully handle issues of sensitive nature with respect to confidentiality, abiding by institutional guidelines.
- Extensive knowledge regarding research financial, operational, business planning and project management, grant management, sponsor and institutional guidelines and requirements, etc.
- Ability to develop a common vision for stakeholders, communicate effectively, sell ideas, and take ownership and responsibility for activities.
- Effective financial and analytical skills, including ability to develop and monitor budgets, grant and contract management.
- Ability to ensure timely submission and review of budgets and performance evaluations.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to deal effectively with both senior management and staff.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills and proven ability to communicate complex material.
Additional Job Details (if applicable)
The Wellman Center for Photomedicine is the world’s largest academic research facility dedicated to investigating the effects of light on human biology and to the development of light-mediated, minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. Millions of people per month are treated or diagnosed with Wellman Center inventions. As the Center evolves to meet new challenges of science and medicine, within a changing hospital system, dedicated administrative leadership is necessary.
The incumbent is responsible for setting administrative direction (i.e. policies and procedures, systems, etc.) and coordinating research aspects of the Wellman Center for Photomedicine (WCP) in concert with the Center’s Director and Faculty. Drawing on a broad understanding of applicable policies and requirements, and displaying a high degree of initiative and independent judgment, the incumbent will collaborate closely with Center leadership and WCP faculty to continually assess and direct a wide range of research issues, including financial, personnel, operational, regulatory, facilities, systems, programmatic development, and project development for the Center. The Administrative Director will also manage day-to-day operations of WCP including strategic initiatives that will enhance the mission of the Center.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
Research Strategy and Operations
- Oversees all aspects of research administration, including grant administration, research compliance, procurement, data transfer and storage, and contracting activities, with clear linkage to the Center’s scientific objectives and mission
- Develops and implements program activities to further the Center’s research mission and efficient operations
- Leads an administrative staff group to address the needs of the Center, of individual researchers and the research staff
- Creates, improves, and sustains best practices to drive continuous improvement efforts
- Ensures compliance with research policies and procedures consistent with MGB, Harvard Medical School, and government guidelines; communicates changes in policies and procedures to Principal Investigators (PIs), Grant Administrators and staff
- Monitor WCP’s funding portfolio and prepare fiscal projection reports; provide counsel on funding strategies and initiatives that to ensure the ongoing fiscal health of the Center
- Review myriad transactions for compliance and approve as appropriate, including grant proposals, procurement transactions, fiscal support requests, space utilization reports, and asset records
Administrative Personnel Management
- Evaluates staffing needs operations to ensure appropriate staffing levels for both faculty/professional roles and staff positions
- Leads staff management, including onboarding/training, workload allocation, prioritization, performance reviews, and corrective action
- Remains up to date on personnel-related issues such as benefits, maternity leave, FMLA, UKG, Workday, etc., and develops and oversees center policies to ensure compliance and wellbeing of staff
- Identifies and encourages opportunities for staff professional development and implements employee retention strategies to ensure optimal employee engagement and productivity
- Oversees activities of ancillary research personnel, including non-employees/persons of interest (POIs), contractors, affiliates, and interns
Skills and Competencies
Leadership and Independence
- Experience in strategic development and team building to establish a common vision for diverse constituents, engendering teamwork, communicating effectively, gathering support around ideas, and taking ownership and responsibility for activities
- Independent approach and the ability to handle multiple tasks and competing deadline pressures
- Ability to appropriately evaluate all perspectives of complex situations and to independently make appropriate and timely decisions, knowing when additional input is needed
Professional Knowledge
- Extensive knowledge of research management and administration, strategic development, budgeting and financial projections, and contracts and negotiation
- Exceptional computer skills: fund management systems (e.g. Insight, Strata), database (e.g. RedCap), Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), MGB enterprise systems (Insight, Workday), and other office management systems
Personnel Management
- Respectful, professional, and supportive approach to handling issues of sensitive nature
- Ability to recruit, train and supervise staff; experience mentoring middle managers
- Experience providing support, direction, and development to staff
Drive for Results
- Skills in strategic development and forecasting for growth
- Ability to identify and distill complex issues, provide creative solutions, and implement these solutions
- Exceptional organizational skills, with an ability to prioritize effectively, asking for guidance when appropriate
- Ability to effectively manage day-to-day operations and establish and maintain policies and procedures
Interpersonal/communication
- Outstanding interpersonal/communications skills and written, verbal and listening skills
- Forthrightness and integrity
- Efficient, practical and effective work ethic
- Sensitivity to differences across cultures and lived experiences, and the ability to adjust communication accordingly
Working Conditions
Normal office conditions. May be required to attend meetings outside of regularly scheduled hours.
Remote Type
Hybrid
Work Location
40 Blossom Street
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Employee Type
Regular
Work Shift
Day (United States of America)
Pay Range
$124,342.40 - $180,897.60/Annual
Grade
9
EEO Statement:
1200 The General Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.
Mass General Brigham Competency Framework
At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership “looks like” by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.