Vice President Research & Innovation; VPRI

The Leadership Opportunity :

At a moment of unprecedented opportunity in its already impressive trajectory, Texas Tech University (TTU) seeks a Vice President for Research & Innovation (VPRI) to advance impact and excellence across the breadth of the university’s research enterprise. The VPRI will harness Texas Tech’s recent momentum to foster a culture of innovation that serves and effectively engages faculty, researchers, students, and staff in pursuit of the university’s significant aspirations.

As Texas Tech’s principal research officer, the VPRI reports directly to the President and serves as a member of the President’s cabinet. Working collaboratively across the research enterprise, the VPRI is responsible for developing a dynamic strategic plan to advance the university’s top tier research status; fostering collaboration across the university and System to enhance cooperative, interdisciplinary research programs and opportunities;

developing new and nurturing existing external partnerships that maximize Texas Tech’s research resources; promoting and supporting a culture that values compliance with all regulatory bodies; developing strategies for the investment of institutional resources in research; fostering a culture of safety; and managing all resources associated with the Office of Research & Innovation . The VPRI is responsible for the administration, management, and planning of the university’s policies, programs, and services within the assigned area(s).

All activities are performed under the administration of the President.

Texas Tech University seeks an innovative, strategic, and organizationally savvy leader with substantial experience managing an operationally complex institution through change. The next Vice President for Research & Innovation will be responsible for developing a compelling vision to amplify Texas Tech’s culture of research excellence and competitive innovation. Leading through influence and collaboration, the VPRI will champion ambition and excellence, foster interdisciplinary initiatives, and generate excitement, enthusiasm, and buy-in to advance the educational and research missions of Texas Tech University.

Ideal candidates will have demonstrated experience in many of the following areas :

• A terminal degree, along with relevant leadership experience advancing research at a research-intensive university or institute, with a record of distinguished scholarship and funded research .
• Proven track record of supporting technology transfer, commercialization, and industry partnerships .
• A history of promoting research interests and collaborations across an institution or System and with external partners.
• Keen understanding of federal funding processes , advocacy, and compliance.
• A leadership style characterized by the highest personal integrity and ethics, transparency, accessibility, and openness to a team-centered environment .
• An enthusiasm for collaborating with other departments and infrastructure development with multiple siloed constituencies; demonstrated capacity to create cross-campus partnerships.
• A demonstrated ability to mentor and support staff and provide successful development of people; a track record for inspiring a diverse staff with energy and dedication to their professional advancement, as well as commitment to clarity and accountability.
• A track record of effective oversight of budgets, infrastructure, and space of commensurate complexity and scope.
• A commitment to service coupled with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Outstanding communication skills , demonstrated by the ability to interact comfortably with a wide range of diverse people.
• The ability to obtain Personnel Industrial Security Clearance by the Department of Defense is required.

The Office of Research & Innovation (OR&I) supports a culture of creativity, discovery, innovation, and collaboration, empowering Texas Tech University to become an elite national research university. According to its mission statement :

" The Office of Research & Innovation facilitates excellent research, scholarship, and…