Senior Associate Vice President Research Operations

Position Overview

The Senior Associate Vice President for Research Operations (SAVP) is a senior executive leader within the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge (ERIK) and serves as a strategic partner to the Vice President for Research. This position provides leadership, oversight, and direction for Ohio State’s research operations infrastructure, ensuring excellence in research administration, regulatory compliance, research integrity, and operational effectiveness across the university’s research enterprise.

The SAVP leads critical research support and compliance functions, including Sponsored Programs, Responsible Research Practices, University Laboratory Animal Resources, the Animal Care and Use Program, the Biosafety Program, and ERIK’s Instructional Design team. Serving as the university’s designated Institutional Official, the SAVP ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations governing research activities and oversees institutional research assurances, regulatory relationships, and university-wide compliance programs.

Working collaboratively with university leadership, the Wexner Medical Center, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Office of Legal Affairs, Office of Academic Affairs, and other campus stakeholders, the SAVP advances operational excellence and develops best‑in‑class research administration practices that support faculty, staff, and student researchers. The position plays a central role in implementing ERIK’s strategic plan, driving growth in externally sponsored research, reducing administrative burden, and enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of research support services.

The SAVP is accountable for substantially enhancing day‑to‑day operations across the research operations portfolio, with a focus on improving service quality, strengthening process discipline, increasing consistency across units, reducing unnecessary administrative burden, and ensuring that operational practices are aligned with institutional strategy. This position is expected to translate ERIK and university‑level research strategies into actionable operating plans, measurable priorities, implementation roadmaps, and consistent management practices across the functions within the SAVP portfolio.

The SAVP serves as a visible ambassador for Ohio State’s research enterprise, representing the university at the state and national levels through professional organizations, boards, councils, and external partnerships. The successful candidate will bring extensive experience in research administration and compliance, a collaborative and consensus‑building leadership style, exceptional communication and relationship management skills, and a demonstrated ability to lead complex organizations and engage diverse stakeholders within a large research‑intensive university environment.

An earned doctorate, terminal degree, or equivalent combination of leadership experience and expertise is require

The Senior Associate Vice President for Research Operations (SAVP) is a member of the core leadership team of the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge (ERIK) and reports directly to the Vice President of Research (VPR). This position plays a key role in ensuring Ohio State is a leading university in research and creative expression. This individual must possess the personal, intellectual, and leadership qualities to implement strategy, oversee administration, and enable the growth of Ohio State’s research operations.

The SAVP will direct the operations of multiple teams, including Sponsored Programs, Responsible Research Practices, University Lab Animals Resources, Animal Care and Use Program and…