Assistant Vice President of Research Operations & Finance

Assistant Vice President of Research Operations & Finance

Open until filled.

The Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Research Operations and Finance is a senior leader responsible for providing strategic, operational, and financial oversight of the university's research enterprise. This role serves as a key advisor to the Vice President for Research and plays a critical leadership role in aligning research operations, business processes, and financial strategies to support institutional research growth, compliance, and innovation.

The AVP will lead a cross‑functional team that includes research administration, financial compliance, infrastructure and systems support, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in financial management, costing policy, regulatory compliance, and process optimization in a complex academic or research‑intensive environment.

• Serve as a senior advisor to the Vice President for Research on matters related to research finance, operations, compliance, and infrastructure.
• Develop and implement financial models and operational strategies that support the expansion and sustainability of the research enterprise.
• Align operational and fiscal frameworks with institutional goals and evolving sponsor and federal regulatory requirements.
• Represent the research division in institutional budget planning, internal audits, risk assessments, and cross‑divisional initiatives.

• Support core research administrative functions, including:
  • Office of Sponsored Programs
  • Post‑Award Services
  • Research Costing and Effort Reporting
  • Research Risk and Compliance
  • Federal Reporting
  • Core Facilities and Shared Infrastructure
  • Lead the Facilities & Administration (F&A) proposal
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of systems, processes, and tools that streamline operations and enhance research support services.
• Coordinate with academic units and central administration to reduce administrative burden and ensure consistency in research‑related business processes.

• Develop and manage the division's operating budget and provide financial oversight for research cost centers.
• Ensure accurate and compliant financial reporting.
• Establish and monitor internal controls for research spending, cost transfers, and salary certifications.
• Manage and monitor institutional start‑up funding, providing strategic guidance, financial oversight, and planning support to maximize the effective allocation and utilization of resources while ensuring alignment with institutional and research priorities. Oversee institutional policies related to indirect cost recovery, service center rate development, and effort reporting.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the utilization, efficiency, and effectiveness of research equipment and research space across campus, supporting data‑driven decision‑making, strategic resource allocation, and institutional research growth.

• Maintain a robust compliance framework for sponsored programs and research‑related activities.
• Ensure institutional adherence to federal, state, and sponsor‑specific regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance, NIH, NSF, DoD).
• Serve as a liaison for matters related to research administration and financial compliance.

• Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software and ability to learn and use institutional software systems.
• Comply with all State and University policies.
• Occasional travel.
• Other duties may be assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Education:
  
  Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, finance, or a related field.
• Experience:
  
  Seven to ten years of experience related to the statement of duties and responsibilities; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Understanding of federal grant regulations, cost accounting standards, and research‑related compliance requirements.
• Proven record of strategic leadership,…