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ASSOC VP, RESEARCH
Job Title: ASSOC VP, RESEARCH
Job Code: 3773
FLSA: E
Job Level: 98
Revised Date: 08/01/2019
Job Family: JF 28
Occupational Summary
As principal deputy to the Vice President for Research & Innovation (VPR&I), the Associate Vice President for Research (AVPR) is responsible for the overall administrative management and coordination of the Office for Research & Innovation's (OR&I) operations and business-related functions including finance, budget, personnel, research services, facilities planning, grant administration, and research policy development, interpretation, and dissemination. The AVPR also oversees certain research administration units in OR&I and the Office of the Provost and promotes research growth through the execution of effective and efficient research administration operations and services across the institution. The AVPR advises senior leaders and partners with faculty and staff to design, refine, and implement services, programs, and policies to further Duke's position as a leader in world-class research. The role requires a broad view of research that demonstrates an understanding of the many forms and environments in which it is conducted and the different means necessary to provide appropriate support. A commitment to engendering trust, promoting diversity, creating a culture of integrity and ethics, and ensuring compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory requirements is essential to advance Duke's research mission.
Work Performed
Executive Leadership (30%)
Advance strategic development and key planning activities with senior leaders to shape and implement Duke's research strategy. Inform leadership of potential challenges, opportunities, recommended actions, and monitor achievement of goals.
Design solutions to resolve complex administrative issues and develop new and inclusive research structures and initiatives to meet the evolving needs of a growing research-intensive enterprise. Facilitate the development of long-range strategic and financial plans to assure continued financial health for the advancement of the research mission. Be a key collaborator and leader in the strategic alignment of research priorities across all Duke's schools, centers, and institutes.
Serve as a member of the VPR&I's leadership team, the Executive Research Oversight Committee (EROC), the Research Administration Continuous Improvement (RACI) initiative, and other committees and task forces as appropriate.
Organizational Operations and Support (40%)
Lead analysis of and interpret financial and research compliance data for OR&I's research units. Provide administrative direction and coordination in the formulation, interpretation, and administration of current and long-range research policies, strategic initiatives, procedures, and programs. Apply fiscal controls to ensure expenditures are allocated in the best interests of Duke, ensuring the financial health and sustainability of the research administration infrastructure.
Determine fiscal requirements, make projections, and work with OR&I office representatives to prepare overall office budgets. Lead OR&I directors/financial staff and management center resources to plan office budget needs by analyzing short- and long-term program plans; confer with OR&I and institutional leaders to analyze and recommend priorities and goals for future department needs.
Lead and support the design and implementation of new research and administrative initiatives and strategies. Coordinate operational activities and support HR initiatives to ensure adequate resourcing, space, and facilities for various research initiatives and programs across OR&I.
Manage and track commitments to OR&I's strategic resources; craft agreements for partnering with schools/departments on research investments.
Coordinate the compilation and preparation of operational and financial reports and analyses setting forth progress, trending, and appropriate recommendations or conclusions. prepare financial statements reflecting status of programs and activities; ensure compliance with institutional policies and procedures.
Liaise with all levels of leadership and administration across management centers to coordinate OR&I business, manage financials, accomplish directives, and solve problems. Promote interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration, enhance relationships with sponsoring agencies, and represent Duke with appropriate external offices.
Work closely with school leadership, faculty, and professional staff to ensure policies, processes, and procedures are delineated and effectively implemented. Streamline administrative, compliance-related, and record-keeping activities and support new strategic uses of technology to enhance faculty satisfaction and efficiency in research.
Cultivate a diverse and inclusive environment focused on research integrity, accountability, compliance, and stewardship for sponsored programs as directed by Duke's values and all applicable federal, state, and university policies, procedures, and regulations.
Work closely with faculty and staff to understand their needs and create new programs and services required to convert their ideas into funded projects. Work to make more transparent the research opportunities and services that exist at the university and ensure related information is more broadly accessible and digestible for researchers. Share information regarding research initiatives and financials at leadership venues, faculty orientation sessions, manager meetings, etc.
Supervise and coordinate work of staff supporting business and operations functions, including business/financial managers, research support personnel, communications resources, operational leads, and other administrators.
Provost area research support (30%)
In the role of Vice Provost for Research Administration, work with the Provost, Executive Vice Provost, Associate Vice Provost for Finance & Administration, and others to progress initiatives of the Provost's Office and implement facets of the academic strategic plan. Develop and execute a comprehensive vision for research administration in the Campus schools into the future. Lead committees, advisory councils, and task forces for a variety of initiatives to achieve the goals of the office.
Oversee the Provost's research administration offices. Foster a culture that rewards innovation and creativity among staff, embraces change management, and sustains the open exchange of ideas. Provide clear direction across all functional units to ensure high performance and continuous process improvement.
Design an operating structure that provides the efficient and effective delivery of customer-oriented research administration support services. Collaborate with school leadership, faculty members, and other key leaders to develop solutions and enhance systems for the approval of research protocols, grant development, post-award oversight, compliance with research regulations, and facilitating and managing other steps in the research process with appropriate internal controls.
Ensure a high level of service through ongoing assessment and evaluation of administrative functions and programs designed to measure efficiency, effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and growth that can be applied to operations and strategic planning. Guide investments and manage the expenditures of the Provost's Instrumentation Fund.
Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein. The above statements represent the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.
Required Qualifications at this Level
Education/Training
A master's degree or doctorate in science, engineering, business, finance, higher education, or related field required.
Experience
Minimum of 10 years of combined experience in primary research and progressive management roles in research administration at an institution of higher education.
Experience in financial control systems, grants and contracts management, federal research compliance regulations, information tools, and all financial aspects relating to complex academic business systems is preferred.
A strong background in quantitative approaches to scientific research and evidence of scholarship and depth of knowledge in research models is preferred.
OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Skills
Fluency with regulations and compliance regarding sponsored research, animal welfare, human subjects research, conflicts of interest/commitment, and scientific misconduct; a strong understanding of the importance of compliance and regulatory matters to the research enterprise and its ability to strategically align and balance education and research missions.
Demonstrated ability to work with leadership, faculty, staff, and students across disciplines to create and implement innovative research and scholarly initiatives while promoting and enhancing the diversity of the university community.
Ability to manage and provide oversight for budgeting, accounting, internal controls, and financial reporting for research and sponsored program activities.
Proven track record of supporting world-class research, leading research operations, and managing change initiatives at a complex research institution.
Proficiency with Duke's financial, research administrative, and sponsored effort systems in a decentralized, faculty-driven environment.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple complex projects/problems simultaneously.
Ability to delegate, manage people effectively, foster the professional development of staff, and make sound decisions regarding personnel.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively regarding Duke's mission, research administration, and compliance issues both verbally and in writing with all levels of the organization and external stakeholders.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
