Associate Director - Research

Job Profile:

Research Administration Manager 3

Job Family:

Research Administration

Time Type:

Full time

Apply before 11:59 PM Arizona time the day before the posted End Date.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and seven (7) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field including two (2) years managerial experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Job Profile Summary:
Plans, develops, and executes routine research programs within a division, center, or department, solicits research opportunities, develops policies and procedures, and has significant responsibility for the overall functioning and effectiveness of research studies.

Job Description:

Position Salary Range: $94,300 - $125,000 per year; DOE

Job Description:

The Knowledge Enterprise (KE) Research Project Management Office (PMO) at ASU seeks an energetic, creative, and analytical individual to join us as an Associate Director, Research to help our faculty uncover the lessons of the past, navigate the perils of the present, and reinvent the promise of the future. ASU is evolving into a New American University that achieves excellence, access, and impact. To that end, KE, the home base for research at ASU, is charged with managing and growing a research portfolio that now exceeds $1B annually.

Research PMO personnel work closely and collaboratively with faculty, staff, and other stakeholders to plan, direct, organize, and execute fast-paced, complex research projects across a range of scales. In the university environment this requires developing a working knowledge of cutting-edge concepts and technologies; working with teams to develop proposals and other strategies to fund projects and programs; understanding the importance of graduate and other training in the research enterprise; navigating and anticipating the dynamic ASU environment; and managing resources efficiently while meeting sponsor and university expectations.

The Associate Director, Research provides leadership for these activities across RPMO-supported research projects and programs. The position works closely with the RPMO Director to develop and execute short- and long-range goals and strategies; provides leadership, guidance, and support to RPMO personnel; and develops strong, collaborative relationships with faculty, research teams, university leadership, and other stakeholders as appropriate.

The Associate Director, Research combines research project management expertise with organizational leadership and strategic planning. The position helps identify emerging needs and opportunities across the RPMO portfolio, develops and implements approaches to improve outcomes, and ensures that RPMO staff and resources are effectively aligned with KE priorities. The Associate Director, Research is expected to work independently, exercise sound judgment in complex and ambiguous situations, communicate effectively across organizational levels, and foster an environment of collaboration, accountability, professional development, and continuous improvement.

Essential Duties:

• Works closely and collaboratively with the RPMO Director to develop and execute strategic and operational plans that support the growth, effectiveness, and long-term objectives of the RPMO.

• Provides leadership and oversight for complex, high-profile, and/or strategically important research projects and programs, ensuring appropriate project management practices, resources, and support are in place to achieve desired outcomes.

• Supervises, coaches, mentors, and develops assigned RPMO staff; establishes expectations, monitors performance, provides feedback, supports professional development, and fosters an effective and collaborative team environment.

• Provides guidance and consultation to RPMO staff in the planning and execution of complex research projects and programs, including but not limited to scope management, schedule management, budget management, risk management, and sponsor reporting.

• Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with faculty, academic and administrative units, KE leadership and staff, sponsors, collaborating institutions, and other internal and external stakeholders critical to the success of ASU research initiatives.

• Supports the development of new and expanding research initiatives by working with faculty and other stakeholders to define program strategy, scope, organizational structures, deliverables, milestones, staffing and resource requirements, budgets, risks, and implementation approaches.

• Supports the identification of funding opportunities and development of competitive research proposals. Works with faculty and research teams to develop proposal strategies, establish responsibilities and timelines, coordinate contributors, define project management and implementation approaches, and develop project scope, schedule, and budget.

• Provides strategic and operational consultation to Principal Investigators and research leadership regarding the development, launch, management, growth, and sustainability of complex research programs.

• Identifies opportunities to improve RPMO processes, tools, practices, and service delivery; leads or supports the development and implementation of solutions that increase effectiveness, consistency, efficiency, and quality.

• Promotes the consistent and appropriate application of PMBOK principles, practices, methods, and tools across RPMO-supported activities while recognizing the differing needs of individual research projects and programs.

• Assesses current and anticipated staffing requirements across assigned activities and works with the RPMO Director to establish priorities and deploy resources effectively.

• Facilitates resolution of complex project, program, stakeholder, and organizational issues. Anticipates potential conflict, clarifies roles and expectations, develops collaborative solutions, and escalates issues when appropriate.

• Represents RPMO in meetings, committees, working groups, and other activities involving KE, academic and administrative units, research partners, and other internal and external stakeholders.

• Builds and maintains an organizational culture that values proactive engagement, collaboration, accountability, adaptability, continuous learning, effective communication, and high-quality service.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working in a university, academic research, research administration, scientific research, engineering, technology development, or similarly complex research environment.

• Experience leading the planning and execution of large, complex research, scientific, technical, and/or interdisciplinary projects and programs.

• Evidence of Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification.

• Experience supervising, coaching, mentoring, and developing project management personnel.

• Evidence of effective verbal and written communication skills, including experience preparing and presenting information, recommendations, or analyses for senior leadership.

• Experience in writing, developing, and/or managing proposals for funding from federal, state, industry, and/or philanthropic sources.

• Demonstrated experience developing or improving project/program management processes, tools, standards, training, and/or organizational capabilities.

• Knowledge of PMBOK project management principles, practices, methods, and techniques needed to manage large, complex, and interrelated research activities.

• Knowledge of budget development, management, forecasting, and resource planning methods and techniques.

• Ability to lead and support complex projects and programs.

• Ability to assess complex situations, identify risks and opportunities, and develop appropriate risk response and mitigation strategies.

• Ability to lead through influence and build effective working relationships across organizational boundaries and with individuals at multiple levels of an organization.

• Ability to establish priorities, allocate resources, and balance strategic and operational requirements across a portfolio of activities.

• Ability to identify and implement opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness, efficiency, consistency, and quality.

• Ability to effectively manage, supervise, and mentor assigned staff.

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex information to non-technical and executive audiences.

Working Environment:

• Climate-controlled office setting subject to extended periods of being in a stationary position. 

• Regular use of a computer and other office productivity equipment, such as a calculator, copy machine, and printer. 

Department Statement:

Driving Requirement:

Driving is not required for this position.

Location:

Campus: Tempe

Funding:

No Federal Funding

Instructions to Apply:

Current employees, student workers seeking staff opportunities, and students applying for student worker positions must apply directly through the Workday Jobs Hub.

To be considered, your application must include all of the following attachments:

• Cover letter
• Resume or CV

Multiple documents may be uploaded in the attachments section. Alternatively, applicants may combine all required materials into a single PDF for submission. Please ensure uploaded documents are clearly labeled and include your name.

Please ensure your resume includes all employment information in month and year format, for example 6/04 to 8/14, along with job title, job duties, and employer name for each position. Your resume should clearly demonstrate how your experience and background meet the minimum and desired qualifications for this position. Incomplete applications or missing required materials may not be considered.

Important: Do not withdraw your application to make edits. Once an application is withdrawn, it cannot be edited, reactivated, or replaced with a new submission. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact The Office of Human Resources Talent Acquisition before the posting close date.

Graduate Assistant, Intern and part-time positions are counted as half time for experience equivalency, meaning one year equals six months of experience.

Only electronic applications will be accepted for this position. By submitting an application, you confirm that the information provided is accurate and complete.

ASU Statement:

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions inclusive excellence, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

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ASU’s comprehensive benefits package is a key part of your total compensation. Visit the ASU Compensation Estimator

Employment Verification Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Background Check Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Fingerprint Check Statement:

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.