Associate Provost for Research and Innovation

Position Details

Classification Information

Position Classification Title

Associate Provost

FLSA

Exempt

Position Class (Extract From Banner or PA)

80162

EPA Position Type

EHRA Non Faculty

Position Overview

Position Summary

Associate Provost for Research and Innovation
Job Description and Responsibilities
The Associate Provost for Research and Innovation serves as the institution’s Chief Research Officer ( CRO ). Reporting to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Associate Provost provides administrative structure and support to pursue research funding. The Associate Provost is responsible for building capacity, developing infrastructure, and procuring sponsored research that is aligned with the institution’s mission and that positions the University to achieve “Research 2” classification. The CRO sets strategic priorities for research, manages proposals and awards, and oversees regulatory compliance, ethics, and conflict of interest management. The CRO must have a keen understanding of the research and innovation process from inception to commercialization; the ability to marshal the University’s resources and create major partnerships with external organizations; the ability to lead through influence and persuasion in the face of uncertainty and ambiguity, and the acumen to understand and use the University’s intellectual capital to achieve greater connectivity with external collaborators.
The CRO works collaboratively with campus leadership and faculty within and across disciplines, departments, and academic units to define the vision for the research enterprise. This vision must encourage the development of new programs that support interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research. The CRO leads the effort to develop a comprehensive research strategic plan that aligns with the university’s strategic plan WSSU 2030: Unleash the Genius. Consistent with the strategic plan, the CRO must execute a plan that ensures research and innovation are conducted in every academic unit. Relatedly, the CRO must establish working relationships with private, state, and federal funding agencies; facilitate the handling of contracts and grants and protect the university’s interest in these agreements with external agencies. The CRO must recognize and develop opportunities for innovation between WSSU scholars, businesses, organizations, and other corporate entities. The CRO must partner with the Provost, academic deans, department chairs, and other members of the institution’s executive leadership and lead efforts to provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in research and applied learning. The CRO has the primary function of assisting faculty members’ development as teacher-scholars by identifying, obtaining, and managing sponsored research that supports and increases their scholarly and creative activity. Additionally, the CRO works to align policies to support collaborative scholarly pursuits of faculty, leverage endowed professorships to increase research productivity, and engage the campus community in collaborative research efforts.
Minimum Qualifications

• An earned doctorate or terminal degree from a regionally accredited university.
• An academic record of achievement in teaching, scholarship, and service appropriate for appointment in a WSSU academic unit at a minimum rank of associate professor with tenure.
• A proven track record of excellence in research, including interdisciplinary research and transdisciplinary research, and academic service roles that support colleagues.
• A proven record of achievement in building, enhancing, and sustaining excellent research programs.
• A record of progressively responsible and relevant leadership experience in higher education at the associate dean, dean, or associate provost level.
• Demonstrated experience securing major research funding, including interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects.
• A record that demonstrates support for student research and serves as a champion for research and creative activity outside his or her domain/area of expertise.
• A commitment to shared governance and a consultative leadership style.
• A record of managing large-scale university initiatives.

Major Duties and Responsibilities
The Associate Provost for Research and Innovation is responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:
Research and Innovation Leadership

• Work closely with the Provost, other executive officers, deans, department chairs, directors of centers, and faculty to construct and articulate a vision for the university’s research enterprise that aligns with the institution’s mission and positions the university to achieve “Research 2” status.
• Collaborate with Provost, academic deans, and department chairpersons to build teams for interdisciplinary research and design institutional research clusters that promote intentional research productivity.
• Lead the establishment of university-wide research policies that expand the breadth and depth of the university’s research portfolio.
• Ensure the effective operation of administrative systems that support the research enterprise.

Administrative and Budgetary Management

• Oversee the operating budget of the Office of Research and Innovation.
• Identify, solicit, and attract funding to support programs aligned with WSSU’s strategic plan and research vision.
• Oversee the use of direct and indirect costs to support research and help strategically invest in the research infrastructure, facilities, and activities that exceed $5 million annually.
• Collaborate with the Office of Government and External Relations on government relations priorities and strategies to support federal, state, and international research funding that strengthens relationships with state and federal government organizations as well as international funders.
• Delegate and manage people effectively, foster staff professional development, and make sound decisions regarding personnel.
• Understand the importance of compliance and regulatory matters to the research enterprise and the ability to develop an effective and efficient organization.
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of and experience with research funding.
• Possess deep knowledge of and experience with promoting/facilitating research and scholarly activity among faculty, graduate scholars, and undergraduate students.

Research and Scholarly Administration

• Partner with academic deans to develop research teams and partnerships that advance the university’s research mission and maximize the intellectual power of the University.
• Strengthen policies that improve the University’s research enterprise and innovation ecosystem.
• Serve on and partner with national organizations to provide input into research policy.
• Promote interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and engagement.
• Integrate cutting-edge technology that promotes and supports research, scholarly activity, and innovation among faculty and students at the institution.
• Promote effective technology transfer and University contributions to economic development.

Compliance with Ethics, Policies, and Regulations

• Oversee and hold accountable campus infrastructure that supports the research enterprise to ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations.
• Provide oversight of WSSU research compliance activities including IRB protocols.
• Ensure compliance with research misconduct regulations(or responsible conduct of research regulations).
• Initiate updates and revisions to existing policies or propose new policies that enhance the university’s research enterprise.
• Work collaboratively with Finance and Administration, Contracts and Grants, and other institutional offices to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.

Advancement, Stewardship, and Public Relations

• Collaborate with University Advancement, Government and External Relations, the academic departments, and other constituents to develop fundraising strategies to meet the vision and mission of the University’s research enterprise and innovation ecosystem.
• Cultivate new relationships with potential partners and nurture existing partnerships.
• Establish and maintain an Advisory Board for the research enterprise.
• Partner with Integrated Marketing Communications to develop a bold and effective communications strategy that continuously highlights the achievements and contributions of research-active faculty and students.

Position Information

Position Number

001838

Working Position Title

Associate Provost for Research and Innovation

Building and Room No.

Anderson C117

Appointment Type

Permanent Full-Time

If Time Limited.

No

Appointment Length.

12

Requirements and Preferences

Position required to work during periods of adverse weather or other emergencies

No

Normal Work Schedule

Department Required Skills

• An earned doctorate or terminal degree from a regionally accredited university.
• An academic record of achievement in teaching, scholarship, and service appropriate for appointment in a WSSU academic unit at a minimum rank of associate professor with tenure.
• A proven track record of excellence in research, including interdisciplinary research and transdisciplinary research, and academic service roles that support colleagues.
• A proven record of achievement in building, enhancing, and sustaining excellent research programs.
• A record of progressively responsible and relevant leadership experience in higher education at the associate dean, dean, or associate provost level.
• Demonstrated experience securing major research funding, including interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects.
• A record that demonstrates support for student research and serves as a champion for research and creative activity outside his or her domain/area of expertise.
• A commitment to shared governance and a consultative leadership style.
• A record of managing large-scale university initiatives.

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education

Required License or Certification

Valid US Driver's License

No

Commercial Driver's License Required

No

Physical Required

No

List any other medical/drug tests required

Posting Details

Posting Details

Internal Posting Only

No

Position Type

EHRA Non Faculty

Time Limited Position

No

Appointment Length

Salary

Commensurate with education and experience

Open Date

11/04/2022

Close Date

02/28/2023

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions Summary

Please Note: A criminal background check will be conducted on candidate finalist prior to the offer of employment. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. The application must be competed in full detail (including work history) for your qualifications to be considered.

Failure to complete the application completely may result in you not being considered for the vacant position.

Your application for the position will not be complete until you receive an online confirmation number at the end of the process of applying for a position.
Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Document
Required Documents Optional Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae