Associate Director - Research Development

The Associate Director, Research Development, works as part of the Research Development and Support (RDS) team in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), and is a key individual contributor with a primary focus on mapping Vanderbilt University (VU) research strengths to external federal, state, industry, and private foundation opportunities, as well as assisting faculty and teams of faculty in the preparation and submission of complex grant proposals to these sponsors. Reporting directly to the Executive Director of RDS, this individual will work closely with the Associate Deans of Research in the various colleges, schools, and networked campuses, on defining and executing strategy for increased successes in external sponsorship.

About the Work Unit:
The Research Development and Support team within the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation provides research development and support services to VU leadership, faculty, and program staff throughout all VU colleges and schools, including networked campuses. The RDS team strives to match the interests and priorities of federal, state, industry, and private foundation sponsors with Vanderbilt’s research and programmatic strengths, as well as to advance the University’s academic, research, and institutional goals through lasting partnerships with sponsors. These partnerships help develop solutions to scientific, technical, and social challenges, as well as enrich the excellence of faculty research and teaching. The RDS team focuses on federal and state funding opportunities, industry opportunities, as well as non-family private foundations supporting scholarly and scientific research via a Request for Proposal (RFP) process; family foundations making a gift to VU are under the purview of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR).

The goal of the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation is to promote Vanderbilt’s distinctive research culture, which aspires to improve the human condition through path-breaking discovery and innovation. In addition to overseeing the university’s research portfolio on all sites, the VP-RI also oversees the implementation of the university’s new future vision and trans-institutional strategies and works closely with the Provost, academic Deans, Vice Provosts, and faculty at large to advance the quality of research and scholarship university-wide. The Office develops strategies and provides services to enhance extramural support for research from all sources including corporate, foundation, federal, and philanthropic; advance a cohesive and vibrant trans-institutional research agenda; and build strategic partnerships around shared priorities in research. The VP-RI works with a broad range of University stakeholders, including faculty and others, in advocating for the research and scholarship missions of all disciplines at Vanderbilt.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Advise Vanderbilt leadership, faculty, and key research centers and institutes in the identification and prioritization of funding and partnership opportunities; remain abreast of university-wide
  priorities and interdisciplinary programs that may be relevant to sponsors; and maintain knowledge of sponsor directions, long-term strategies and priorities, new programs, public events, and build and maintain relationships with program officers.
• Provide consulting services on strategic proposal and white paper development, including high-level conceptualization to match sponsor priorities, effective team organization, red-team review, pitch development and coaching, credible administrative, management, education/outreach, and/or data sharing plans to assist investigators in the complex process of developing competitive proposals.
• Bring together strategic teams of faculty and academic leadership that cross departmental and disciplinary lines to create and pursue opportunities where trans-institutional support is available.
• Develop a working knowledge of the university's existing relationships with sponsors in order to utilize, leverage, and expand those relationships, as well as identify opportunities to establish ties with new prospects.
• Organize workshops/seminars for potential and existing Principal Investigators.
• Establish relationships with faculty to provide information and strategy on funding opportunities to help them navigate time-sensitive grants and awards.
• Plan and execute site visits, including the development of effective briefing materials for university leaders, preparation of faculty for their roles in meetings and events, and the creation of communications (such as one-pagers and white papers) for distribution to sponsors for relationship building and shaping sponsor initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues on the development of proposals, providing technical expertise, mentorship, and informal leadership to those seeking support.
• Track and maintain a grants calendar which summarizes funding opportunities, grant submission dates, historical funding data, and other funding agency requirements.
• Undertake other projects and duties as assigned.

Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Executive Director for Research Development.

Education and Certifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent is necessary.
• A Master’s degree or Ph.D. is preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• At least eight years of relevant experience, or the equivalent, is necessary.
• At least two years of experience working on a high-functioning research development team is preferred.
• Higher education experience is strongly preferred.
• Exceptional persuasive writing and verbal communication skills are required, as is superior ability to creatively articulate the needs, interests, and accomplishments of Vanderbilt University to a wide range of audiences. The ability to convert scientific and academic writing to lay language is required.
• A proven track record of soliciting and closing research grants is preferred, as is prior experience in developing center-scale proposals working with large cross-disciplinary faculty groups.
• Working knowledge of internal processes related to research administration and proposal submission is preferred.
• Working knowledge of the principles and current trends in federal, state, industry, and private foundation funding is preferred.
• The ability to balance multiple priorities is required.
• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, diplomacy, and tact in all work efforts.
• Possess creative skills that facilitate success in an environment where critical thinking and teamwork are essential.
• Demonstrated experience in collaborative project management, independently setting and reaching goals and gathering and organizing information.
• Project a high degree of intelligence, energy, and imagination, and have an outstanding work ethic and enthusiasm for the mission of Vanderbilt University, as well as a genuine commitment to the advancement of science and education.