Executive Director

Position Information

General Information


Position Number
003955


Vacancy Open to
All Candidates


Working Title
Executive Director


Position Designation
EHRA Non-Faculty


Employment Type
Permanent - Full-time


Months per Year
12


Work Schedule


8:00 am - 5:00 pm; Monday - Friday with occasional evening and weekend hours required, as necessary.

Hours per week
40+


FLSA Status
Exempt


Division
Research


Department
Div of Research (Adm)


Work Location
Cameron Hall


Salary Range

Primary Purpose of Department


The Office of Research Development and Engagement (RDE) provides: 1) research development opportunities to researchers, collaborators, and multidisciplinary research teams across the university, and 2) engages with the research community through communication and reporting that supports exceptional decision-making and amplifies research to increase visibility of research in all its forms. With a focus on fostering and building a robust research ecosystem across campus, RDE plays a key role in furthering the University Research Strategic Plan. RDE works closely with the colleges/departments, the library and Advancing Faculty Success, along with all other DR units, to grow the research enterprise in meaningful and strategic ways. Activities within RDE include: the post-doctoral support program, faculty research development and training (for researchers and research administration professionals), communications, events, internal awards and limited submissions management, the Complex, Large, or Interdisciplinary Program (CLIPP), and research reporting. With an explicit goal of increasing external funding, RDE offers project-opportunity-sponsor alignment, ongoing proposal development support, plus training and professional development programs designed to support increased research productivity among faculty and postdoctoral fellows.

Primary Purpose of Position


The Executive Director provides strategic leadership to strengthen the university's research ecosystem, leading efforts to grow external funding, support faculty, staff, and postdoctoral research success, furthers communication and outreach across the University, and enhances reporting in support of decision-making. The Executive Director works collaboratively with academic units, the library, and the Center for Advancing Faculty Success, along with other university units to elevate and expand the university's research portfolio. The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing and managing research and proposal development, limited submissions, internal seed grant programs, Complex, Large, or Interdisciplinary Proposal Program (CLIPP), campus-wide faculty/staff research training/professional development programming, the postdoctoral fellows program, coordinating outreach, communication, and reporting for the Division of Research, ultimately facilitating and building a community of practice that supports research development and providing a wide range of support to researchers for obtaining external funding.

Summary of Position Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership. Lead strategic research development and engagement initiatives aligned with the university's research mission. Facilitates and directs proposal development (non-budget), including convening meetings and conducting team-building hat lead to the development of responsive and competitive proposals; serves as a mentor to faculty on proposal development; works with senior faculty who have exceptional experience and expertise in grant writing and preparation to establish a community of practice and mentoring network that supports research development and grant seeking; directs faculty support programs, including grant development services, proposal review, mentoring, and capacity-building workshops; stays abreast of upcoming funding opportunities to proactively organize teams of faculty, working with Center and Institute directors; fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration and strengthen the university's research ecosystem.

Reporting and Assessment. Provide data-driven insights and reporting to leadership on research activity, funding trends, to guide strategic opportunities and decision-making. Develops assessment and evaluation processes and metrics for each of the programs within the Office of Research Development and Engagement.

Communications & Engagement . Oversees communications and engagement within the Division of Research and across the University research community to foster connections and increase awareness of opportunities and impact via the website, newsletter, marketing materials, research events, presentations, and stories.

Management. Manages unit operations, including identifying professional opportunities for research professional, program development, staffing, budgeting, and performance assessment.

Senior Leadership. Serves as an active and team-oriented member of the Division of Research senior leadership team and shares experiences, knowledge and best practices with a goal to improve operations and research support.

Minimum Education/Experience


Advanced degree in appropriate research discipline and 5+ years of relevant experience with proposal and/or research development

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Doctorate preferred.
• Exceptional interpersonal and motivational skills, strong writing and editing skills with a demonstrated track record of achievement in proposal development in an academic setting
• Ability to assess individual faculty skills and strengths
• Familiarity with a variety of research methodologies, and vision and creativity for developing new directions in interdisciplinary research.

Necessary Certifications/Licenses

Preferred Certifications/Licenses

Special Notes to Applicants


An option of intermittent telecommuting will be considered, subject to satisfactory job performance and operational need.

Posting Open Date
06/15/2026


Posting Close Date

Open Until Filled
Yes


Proposed Hire Date
07/13/2026


If time-limited please indicate appointment end date

Contact Information