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The Assistant Vice President for Research Administration (AVPRA) at Colorado State University is a key leadership position within the institution’s research administration structure. The AVPRA will play a pivotal role in overseeing and managing the comprehensive research administration functions within the Office of the Vice President for Research to support the university’s research mission. This position requires a dynamic and experienced individual capable of providing strategic direction, operational oversight, and fostering a culture of compliance, integrity, and excellence in research administration.

The Assistant Vice President for Research Administration reports directly to the Vice President for Research (VPR) and plays a lead role in accomplishing Colorado State University’s Research and Discovery goals. The AVPRA will work to support the research mission as set forth in the Office and University strategic plans. As a key member of the leadership team for the Office of the Vice President for Research, the AVPRA serves as an advocate and an advisor to the VPR for research administration activities. The AVPRA will effectively interface in a leadership capacity on behalf of the VPR with central administration, colleges, and other agencies and is responsible for building strong partnerships and relationships within this broader community. As an advisor to the VPR, the AVPRA will lead the implementation of strategic programs and the deployment of resources in a manner that builds the University’s research portfolio and complies with federal and other applicable regulations. The AVPRA serves as an officer of the University with delegated authority to execute agreements on behalf of the VPR and may hold State of Colorado Controller’s signature sub-delegation.

This position oversees and directs the Office of Sponsored Programs, which is responsible for assisting CSU faculty and staff in their efforts to secure and fulfill externally funded sponsored projects. The AVPRA ensures that the Office of Sponsored Programs is efficient and effective in its day-to-day operations, and that it operates with a strong service mindset and supports the research mission of the university and the researcher community. To that end, the AVPRA is expected to provide strategic direction and implementation in Office of Sponsored Programs including policy, organizational, and culture management. The AVPRA will provide innovative strategies and solutions in the recruitment and retention of a robust and highly skilled workforce and the effective organization of the Office of Sponsored Programs to meet the needs of a rapidly growing research enterprise, which has experienced nearly 70% growth in the past decade. The position ensures a strong service orientation of the research administration functions and compliance with federal, state, and local laws, policies, procedures, Uniform Guidance, and sponsor-specific guidelines in the negotiation and execution of grant awards and contracts for funded sponsored projects. This position provides effective leadership to remote, hybrid and in person pre- and post-award teams in sponsored programs, in addition to a wide range of internal and external constituencies, including faculty members, research staff, committee members, administrators, and federal agencies. The AVPRA will also work collaboratively with key partners and outside stakeholders of the OVPR to further the development and implementation of research administration and services strategies, and to help ensure a culture of innovation and compliance in research administration campus wide.

The successful candidate will possess strong leadership and communication abilities that foster effective and collegial working relationships with all University constituents. They will have strong financial management skills, project management expertise, and experience coordinating strategic planning, implementation, and assessment. The AVPRA is also expected to have deep and robust knowledge of federal regulations (including the Uniform Guidance, CFR, FAR, DFAR), technology transfer, and the legal and regulatory/compliance environment governing research administration. The AVPR will need to manage complex personnel issues including issues of diversity, inclusiveness, sensitivity, collaboration, performance improvement, and conflict resolution, and should have the requisite skills and experience to support the Office of Sponsored Programs in these areas. They also will have the appropriate skills and experience to positively lead a diverse group of professionals and to work constructively, collaboratively, and diplomatically with many diverse individuals and groups both within and outside the university. Ideally, the AVPRA will have experience managing and supporting organizational change.

This position may be considered for hybrid work or remote work for an exceptional candidate. The VPR Office supports flexible work arrangements for employees, including limited teleworking privileges. Read more here: https://pts.colostate.edu/employee/telecommuting/.

To apply, please submit an application through the below job posting link by our full consideration date of Monday, May 20, 2024.