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The Training and Development Director will design, implement, and oversee all learning and development programs for research administration at Boston University. The role will support our Schools and Colleges and our Central Offices in ensuring we develop strong tools in support of best practice grants management. This role will ensure we have robust onboarding and support mechanisms for school-based grant and finance administrators and may play a role in ensuring we have a strong pipeline of candidates. The Training Director will oversee a Training Manager who will support the design and delivery of training programs and educational materials, including internal and external communications. The Training Director should have experience in research administration to be able to develop and deliver meaningful experiences. This role will help us develop our employees' and colleagues’ skills to grow and strengthen the working knowledge of our profession. A primary goal is to focus on staff retention and development within our research administration teams by fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development. This position will report to the Executive Director of Research Intelligence and Operations.

Training Director Responsibilities:

• Through extensive outreach, partnership and collaboration with schools and colleges, develop and maintain an assessment of training needs. Create a plan to address immediate needs and build a foundation for the growth of training delivery. Planning and implementing training programs based on specific business and strategic goals, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities. (40%)

• Develop comprehensive group and individual learning courses tailored to research administration, including pre-and post-award management, proactive forecasting, and BU systems and policies. (35%)

• Evaluation and Improvement: Evaluate the effectiveness of learning courses through assessments and feedback and continuously improve training programs based on results.

• Continuous Learning: Implement coaching sessions and mentorship programs to establish a culture of continuous learning and development within the research administration community.

• Innovation in Training: Recommend and integrate new training methods, including e-learning courses, game-based platforms, cohort development, and artificial intelligence tools to support enhanced grant management.

Required Skills

Requirements and Skills:

• Master's degree, or equivalent experience, and 8+ years of experience.

• Proven work experience as a Training or Development Director, Training Manager, or a similar role in a research administration or academic setting. Core understanding of traditional and modern training methods, including workshops, simulations, e-learning, and artificial intelligence, specifically tailored to research administration. Experience in organizing and facilitating training activities within an academic research environment. Hands-on experience with project management and budgeting for training programs.

• Experience in developing and creating strong relationships and partnerships across an organization.

• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in Learning Management Systems (LMS) and other educational technologies. Ability to work with Microsoft Office Suite and tools such as Copilot, Canva, Qualtrics, Zoom, polling software, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint.

• Communication and Leadership: Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills to effectively manage and elevate the knowledge of a diverse team of research administrators with differing needs.

  All applications must include a cover letter to be considered. This is a hybrid position.

  We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Required Experience