Associate Director for Sheps Integrated Research Solutions (SIRS)

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research seeks to improve the health of individuals, families, and populations by understanding the problems, issues, and alternatives in the design and delivery of health care services. This is accomplished through an interdisciplinary program of research, consultation, technical assistance, and training that focuses on timely and policy-relevant questions concerning the accessibility, adequacy, organization, cost, and effectiveness of health care services, and the dissemination of this information to policymakers and the general public.

The Associate Director for Sheps Integrated Research Solutions ( SIRS) provides strategic, technical, and operational leadership for the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research. SIRS designs, builds, and supports secure web-based applications, databases, and workflow systems that enable health services research, multi-site clinical studies, community engagement, evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.

While Sheps( DATA)+ is not a Contract Research Organization ( CRO), it functions similarly by providing the full suite of technical, data, and operational infrastructure needed to support health services research, while scientific leadership remains with the Principal Investigator. SIRS is a core component of this integrated service model, contributing to critical application development, data collection platforms, and workflow systems that enable coordinated, multiservice research efforts across the Sheps Center.

In this role, the Associate Director is responsible for overseeing the delivery, quality and long-term sustainability of SIRS solutions, ensuring alignment with research goals, institutional policies, security and privacy requirements, and best practices in software engineering and product management. The Associate Director also plays a key role in identifying and advancing strategic initiatives for SIRS that are aligned with Sheps( DATA)+ strategic priorities and the broader mission of the Sheps Center.

The Associate Director works closely with Principal Investigators, study teams, Sheps IT leadership, and technical staff to translate complex research workflows into reliable, scalable, secure and compliant digital systems.

Masters' and 2-4 years' experience; or Bachelors and 3-5 years' experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

* Master's degree in information systems, computer science, public health, health informatics, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
* 7+ years of leadership experience managing software development, digital products, technical programs, or technology-enabled service delivery teams.
* Demonstrated understanding of software development lifecycles, systems architecture, and the ability to translate complex user, research, or business requirements into eBective technical solutions.

* Experience working in research, healthcare, or similarly regulated environments involving sensitive or confidential data.
* Experience supporting health services research, clinical research, or public sector research programs.
* Familiarity with HIPAA, research data governance, accessibility requirements, and institutional security practices.
* Experience using Agile or other iterative methodologies
* Prior experience in an academic research center, data coordinating center, or CRO-adjacent environment.
* Excellent written and verbal communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.