University of Minnesota – Research and Innovation Office – Senior Associate Vice President

Overview

The University of Minnesota is seeking an innovative, strategic research leader to serve as the Senior Associate Vice President for Research Development and Strategy (SAVPRDS). The position reports to the Vice President for Research and Innovation and will play a key role in implementing the university’s Elevate Extraordinary 2030 strategic roadmap.

The SAVPRDS will act as the university’s senior strategist for monitoring and responding to changes in the federal research funding environment, including shifts in agency priorities, congressional appropriations, and executive policy. They will cultivate ongoing intelligence relationships with federal program officers, agency leadership, and congressional staff to provide early visibility into emerging opportunities, and lead scenario‑planning efforts to assess the impact of federal landscape shifts on the university’s research portfolio.

The SAVPRDS will also build the university’s research ecosystem by galvanizing faculty, staff, students, federal agencies, corporate sponsors, and other external partners. They will champion innovation, entrepreneurship, and translational impact across disciplines and campuses, and foster a culture of collaboration that connects researchers effectively. Additionally, the SAVPRDS will act as a vocal advocate for the university’s research enterprise in Minnesota, Washington, D.C., and beyond, leveraging strategic insight, presence, and networks to secure new funding opportunities and partnerships.

• Advance a comprehensive vision for the university’s research and innovation ecosystem, aligning with the broader strategic plan and engaging senior leaders, faculty, and staff.

• Forecast federal changes in research funding to ensure stability and resilience for the institution’s research enterprise.

• Encourage creative activity that transcends disciplinary and campus boundaries, supporting programs that translate discoveries into application, commercialization, and public benefit.

• Develop and advance a diversified funding strategy that strengthens the research base across federal, private foundation, industry, philanthropic, and state sources.

• A commitment to the scholarly, educational, service, and land‑grant missions of the University of Minnesota.
• A collegial, accessible, transparent, and consultative research administrator with absolute integrity and ethics.
• Experience with data‑informed decision‑making in a complex institutional environment.
• A record of leading in a complex research environment, convening diverse partners around shared challenges, and supporting an organization through transformation and growth.
• Demonstrated ability to strengthen research infrastructure and lead the development of organizational processes and policies that support a high‑performing research organization.
• A global and interdisciplinary thinker able to harness and facilitate collaborative activities across schools, campuses, and disciplinary boundaries.
• Critical problem‑solving skills and creativity to balance effectively the needs of researchers, sponsors, and the university.
• Deep ties to leadership in business, government, and industry; demonstrated experience securing major research funding from multiple sources including federal, state, and private sources.
• A successful track record of building and sustaining ecosystems that generate new research opportunities, innovation, and societal impact.
• Experience supporting technology transfer, commercialization, and industry partnerships.
• Successful experience in an academic administrative and leadership role, managing scope, scale, and complexity comparable to the University of Minnesota.
• A leader who serves as a connector, catalyst, and strategist, creating the conditions under which transformative collaborations, partnerships, and funding opportunities emerge and thrive.
• A strategic mindset combined with the ability to work effectively with senior research leadership, faculty, and staff in executing ambitious goals.
• A superb communicator and enthusiastic advocate for the university’s scholarly…