Description:

Associate Vice President for Research Operations

University Research Services & Administration (URSA)

Georgia State University

Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (VPRED)

Georgia State University has been one of the fastest growing research universities in the nation over the past decade. The Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (VPRED) at Georgia State University is dedicated to supporting research and instructional laboratories, animal facilities, Sponsored Programs and environmental programs to ensure regulatory compliance, guidance, and best practices for the health and safety of our campuses and surrounding community. We strive to create an environment that fosters excellence, teamwork, and accountability.

VPRED is seeing (1) dedicated and experienced Associate Vice President for Research Operations .

WHAT MAKES URSA GREAT PLACE?

• A flexible work environment

• Generous benefits, including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, etc

• A knowledge-sharing organization that works collaboratively with diverse partners.

• Professional development opportunities and mentorship

• A rapidly growing research portfolio

HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL DO

Reporting to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (VPRED), the Associate Vice President for Research Operations (AVPRO) provides senior leadership for the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of Georgia State's research operations. The AVPRO oversees a portfolio that includes, but is not limited to, Regulatory Affairs, Research & Environmental Safety, Research Integrity & Assurance, Animal Resources, and Research Solutions.

The AVPRO serves as a member of the VPRED leadership team and acts as a key deputy to the VPRED in research-operations matters. The AVPRO advances the university's strategic plan by operationalizing the institution's research vision, mission, and goals, and represents the VPRED in internal and external roles related to research operations (e.g., Georgia Research Core Alliance, the State of Georgia, and relevant national organizations), as assigned.

This position is a full-time classified staff role. The AVPRO is expected to work in person, Monday through Friday, from the research office on the Atlanta campus.

The essential duties and responsibilities of the Associate Vice President for Research Operations:

The AVPRO is responsible for building and sustaining a high-performing, service-oriented research operations organization that balances compliance, risk management, and researcher support.

Key responsibilities include:

• Operational leadership and continuous improvement
  
  
  • Optimize research operations and infrastructure by identifying and implementing best practices that improve efficiency, consistency, and productivity across the research enterprise.
  • Design, refine, and implement business processes, service standards, and policies that minimize institutional risk while delivering excellent customer service across the full award lifecycle.
• Strategic execution and organizational effectiveness
  
  
  • Develop and execute high-level operational plans that support the overall success of Georgia State's research operations.
  • Oversee the development and delivery of training and communications for research personnel and research support staff, as appropriate.
• Talent and people leadership
  • Build and sustain a staffing, succession, and talent pipeline strategy across reporting functions.
  • Manage and supervise direct reports, including performance management, annual evaluations, and merit assessments as applicable. Current direct reports include:
    
    
    • Director of Research Operations Improvement & Training
    • Director of Internal Controls & Policy Development
    • Assistant Vice President for Regulatory Affairs
    • Assistant Vice President for Research & Environmental Safety
    • Director of Research Integrity & Assurance
    • Director of Animal Resources
    • Assistant Vice President for Research Solutions
• Service delivery and stakeholder partnership
  
  
  • Ensure that reporting offices provide consistent, high-quality service to researchers, staff, and students.
  • Strengthen cross-functional coordination to ensure effective, timely research support from proposal development through closeout.
• Compliance, integrity, and risk management
  
  
  • Oversee the development, coordination, and implementation of compliance programs and operational strategies governing research to reduce risk and prevent non-compliance.
  • Ensure a research environment that promotes safety, integrity, and ethical conduct, consistent with evolving federal, state, local, sponsor, and institutional requirements.
• Culture and collaboration
  • Promote collaboration and foster a culture of respect, transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement among and between research operations teams.

Disclaimer:

This job requisition provides a high-level job definition. It is not intended to provide a comprehensive or exclusive list of job duties.

As such, job duties and/or responsibilities within the context of this job requisition may change at the discretion the employee's direct supervisor.

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements:

• Doctoral degree and seven years of related experience, or a combination of education and related experience.

Preferred Hiring Qualifications

• Qualified candidates will demonstrate successful senior leadership and at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience leading research operations and research administration and improving operational infrastructure in a higher education institution, national laboratory, hospital/health system, corporate research organization, or related setting.
• Deep knowledge of higher education research culture and the research administration ecosystem.
• Ability to partner effectively with faculty and understand their motivations, constraints, and compliance responsibilities.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated experience implementing sustainable, scalable structures that support a growing research portfolio.
• Creative problem-solving and the ability to develop flexible, compliant solutions in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to bring structure to complex initiatives, set clear priorities, and deliver measurable improvements.
• Strong people leadership skills and experience building high-performing, collaborative teams.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence across a complex organization.
• Experience overseeing the administration of complex research programs, centers, or portfolios.
• Working knowledge of sponsored projects and the full research administration lifecycle (pre-award through post-award and closeout).
• Experience engaging research funders and partners (federal agencies, foundations, and industry/commercial sponsors).
• Demonstrated ability to build transparent, collaborative relationships across a diverse stakeholder environment.

Salary offers will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications in relation to the Minimum Hiring Standards. Candidates earlier in their careers are typically offered salaries closer to the minimum of the hiring range, while those with more advanced or relevant experience may be considered for compensation at or above the hiring range.