Associate Vice President Facilities and Infrastructure

The Associate Vice President (AVP) for Facilities and Infrastructure provides strategic and operational leadership for research infrastructure planning, capital initiatives, and facility strategy across the Enterprise for Research, Innovation, and Knowledge (ERIK). This role leads the ERIK’s research facility and infrastructure function, overseeing planning, development, and activation of research spaces and major initiatives that enable institutional research growth and impact. As an institutional leader, the AVP develops and executes enterprise strategies aligned with the university’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.

The position serves as a key advisor to ERIK senior leadership on research infrastructure investments, risks, and opportunities. Collaborates with colleges, academic units, and administrative partners across Ohio State to ensure institutional research priorities are understood, aligned, and effectively advanced through infrastructure planning and resource allocation.

The individual in this role will report to the Vice President for Research.

The role will lead enterprise research infrastructure strategy and long-range planning, translating institutional priorities into actionable capital and space initiatives that support research growth and impact. The role will provide executive oversight of ERIK capital planning activities in collaboration with ERIK Finance & Business Operations and university partners, and guide development and activation of major initiatives, including the Innovation District and VISTA Space Park, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.

• Oversee planning, design, construction, renovation, and activation of ERIK-stewarded facilities in partnership with Facilities Operations and Development (FOD), Facilities Design and Construction (FDC), Planning, Architecture, and Real Estate (PARE), and Medical Center facilities leadership.
• Execute leasing strategies for ERIK-managed spaces in coordination with Business & Finance and PARE.
• Ensure research infrastructure projects meet quality, schedule, cost, and compliance requirements.
• Provide strategic oversight for research-related facilities operations and maintenance considerations, including utility service delivery and infrastructure readiness.

• Lead strategies to attract industry partners, startups, and external organizations to ERIK facilities and innovation district initiatives.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with industry, government agencies, community organizations, and economic development partners to advance research collaboration and space utilization.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the university and external tenants located within ERIK-managed facilities, ensuring alignment with institutional policies and research goals.
• Partner with Corporate and Foundation Engagement and other university units to support economic development and industry engagement efforts.

• Provide leadership for research infrastructure governance processes, including policies, procedures, and enterprise planning frameworks.
• Oversee development of research space allocation strategies, utilization analyses, and long-term infrastructure planning to optimize institutional resources.
• Ensure appropriate physical access controls and compliance requirements for ERIK-stewarded facilities, including secure research environments, in collaboration with Research Compliance and other partners.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement processes related to research infrastructure planning and project prioritization.