Vice President for Research

the client seeks an innovative, decisive leader to serve as Vice President for Research (VPR) and Chief Research Officer. The VPR will join a senior leadership team and work collaboratively with the President, Provost, and deans to advance the university’s research enterprise in a rapidly changing funding and innovation landscape. This role will help shape strategic priorities and set a vision to strengthen research growth, impact, and primacy for the next era. As a strategic thought partner, the VPR is expected to balance decisiveness with a consultative approach, leveraging the strengths of institutional leaders while engaging faculty and academic units. The position will support efforts to transform and connect research activities across the university and to fulfill ambitious research goals. The VPR will also serve as an active national presence, building relationships and networking with federal agencies, industry partners, and nonprofit funders to stay aligned with emerging national priorities and to expand the organization’s influence. The client will look for a record of research excellence in the VPR’s own field, along with deep, active curiosity about research and scholarship across a broad range of disciplines. The VPR will be expected to bring the ability to lead strategically, foster collaboration across academic units, and champion innovation through shared governance. Success in this role will depend on combining strong leadership and research credibility with an outward-facing mindset focused on partnership-building and research advancement. Confidential