Assistant Director of Research Security and Conflicts Manager

The University of Southern Mississippi • Hattiesburg, MS

20d • Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Research Security oversees the Research Security, Export Control, Conflicts Management, Controlled Unclassified Information, and Facility Security programs for the University of Southern Mississippi. The University has implemented an expanded and comprehensive Conflicts Management program, which oversees financial Conflicts of Interest, Conflicts of Commitment, and Organizational Conflicts for both research and non-research activities. The University of Southern Mississippi Office of Research Security seeks an exceptional individual to fill the newly developed position of Conflicts Manager. This role will oversee the university’s Conflicts Program, serve as a subject matter expert on federal, state, and institutional Conflicts requirements, provide training to the University community, ensure the efficient management of Conflicts disclosures, and provide guidance and reporting to institutional leadership. As an Assistant Director in the Office of Research Security, the Conflicts Manager will work with the Office of Research Administration, the Office of the Provost, the Office of General Counsel, and other key stakeholders to implement and grow a robust Conflicts program. The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude, an active, energetic mind, and a leadership style that is characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to diversity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in computer or information technology, business administration, law, project management, or related area and ten (10) years’ experience in university, nonprofit, business, or research administration technology systems, including systems implementations and upgrades coupled with five (5) years’ experience working with, understanding, and conforming to highly complex federal regulations.
• Applicants MUST be eligible to obtain an Export Control license under U.S. export control regulations.
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates the ability to find, interpret, evaluate, and operationalize complex laws, regulations, and policies. Capable of evaluating gaps/overlap in regulations covering the same topic, and assessing meaningful conclusions from such gap assessment.Demonstrates ability to identify key risks in a set of facts.
• Professional Knowledge and Application: Takes initiative to develop and apply professional knowledge and skills in order to enhance individual effectiveness and improve organizational performance. Creates opportunities to apply new learnings and best practices into innovative solutions that positively impact results. Seeks opportunities for development for both self and the team.
• Communication: Demonstrates the ability to deliver accurate, concise and quality communication (verbal and written) in a timely manner. Encourages an open exchange of ideas and differing perspectives. Adapts communication style to meet the needs of diverse audiences and situations. Listens to understand others. Provides quality feedback.
• Relationship Management: Works to build and manage productive relationships with peers, leaders and customer groups. Effectively engages and interacts with others to collaborate and provide value-added support that enhances department results and team effectiveness. Affects outcomes and direction of customer’s decisions through effective relationships, trust and credibility.
• Business Strategy & Acumen: Understands higher education and can use industry/professional terminology fluently. Thinks strategically and seeks to align department services and goals with institutional strategic goals. Asks critical questions to delve to root cause to identify solutions. Understands the interconnection of decisions, actions, outcomes and measures. Ability to process and handle confidential information with care and discretion.
• Business Execution: Leverages professional expertise and University knowledge to assess areas of opportunity, identify solutions and effectively execute the plan. Demonstrates a high level of planning and organizational skills and the ability to move projects forward to completion. Capable of self-direction in analyzing, organizing, and prioritizing work while meeting multiple deadlines. Seeks advice and input from others and recognizes when to escalate issues or seek help.
• Leadership: Demonstrates an openness and flexibility towards new ideas and concepts and effectively influences or facilitates during times of change. Displays a high degree of personal integrity and discretion.
• Information Technology: Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, willingness to learn new software and hardware solutions, and inquisitiveness to investigate full capabilities of software.

Nice To Haves

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in computer or information technology, business administration, law, project management, or related area related field or a Juris Doctorate, along with more than five years of experience in conflicts management and/or research compliance.
• Experience managing a complex regulatory program within a higher education institution.
• Experience developing and leading training for diverse audiences.
• Prior experience in a university research or research administration setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directs the university’s comprehensive Conflicts program, serving as the subject matter expert on regulatory requirements related to conflicts of interest (COI), conflicts of commitment (COC), organizational conflicts (OC), and foreign influence prevention.
• Provides guidance to faculty, staff, and administrators on evaluating outside research activities and other potential conflicts to ensure compliance with federal, state, sponsor, and institutional regulations and policies.
• Oversees the development, review, and processing of annual and ad-hoc Conflicts disclosures (Outside Activity Reports) and works closely with individuals, the Conflicts Committee, and institutional leadership to mitigate conflicts as appropriate.
• Develops, implements, and audits Conflicts Management plans, as well as managing the Conflicts Committee, its meetings, member training, and related administrative functions.
• Develops, coordinates, and delivers workshops, seminars, and other training programs on COI, COC, OC, and foreign influence to support awareness and compliance across the university.
• Advises institutional leadership on Conflicts policies, procedures, disclosure forms, system updates, and guidance, and provides annual and ad-hoc compliance reports and data.
• Assists the Director with foreign influence prevention initiatives and other Research Security activities as needed.
• Builds and maintains strong, collaborative relationships with investigators, oversight committees, and other key stakeholders to ensure a robust, transparent, and compliant Conflicts program.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the Office of Research Security and the university’s broader research compliance objectives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager