Associate Director, Research

Arizona State University•Tempe, AZ

7d•$94,300 - $125,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director, Research joins Arizona State University's Knowledge Enterprise (KE) Research Project Management Office (RPMO), which supports a research portfolio exceeding $1 billion annually. The role provides leadership across RPMO-supported research projects and programs, working closely with the RPMO Director to develop and execute short- and long-range goals and strategies. It also provides guidance and support to RPMO personnel and builds collaborative relationships with faculty, research teams, university leadership, sponsors, and other stakeholders. Combining research project management expertise with organizational leadership and strategic planning, the Associate Director identifies emerging needs and opportunities across the RPMO portfolio, develops approaches to improve outcomes, and aligns staff and resources with KE priorities. The position works independently, exercises sound judgment in complex and ambiguous situations, communicates across organizational levels, and fosters collaboration, accountability, professional development, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and seven years of experience appropriate to the assignment or field, including two years of managerial experience; or an equivalent combination of experience and/or training demonstrating comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a university, academic research, research administration, scientific research, engineering, technology development, or similarly complex research environment.
Experience leading the planning and execution of large, complex research, scientific, technical, or interdisciplinary projects and programs.
Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification.
Experience supervising, coaching, mentoring, and developing project management personnel.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including preparing and presenting information, recommendations, or analyses for senior leadership.
Experience writing, developing, and/or managing proposals for funding from federal, state, industry, or philanthropic sources.
Experience developing or improving project/program management processes, tools, standards, training, or organizational capabilities.
Knowledge of PMBOK project management principles, practices, methods, and techniques for managing large, complex, interrelated research activities.
Knowledge of budget development, management, forecasting, and resource planning methods and techniques.
Ability to lead and support complex projects and programs.
Ability to assess complex situations, identify risks and opportunities, and develop risk response and mitigation strategies.
Ability to lead through influence and build effective working relationships across organizational boundaries and with people at multiple organizational levels.
Ability to establish priorities, allocate resources, and balance strategic and operational requirements across a portfolio.
Ability to identify and implement improvements to organizational effectiveness, efficiency, consistency, and quality.
Ability to effectively manage, supervise, and mentor assigned staff.
Strong communication skills, including communicating complex information to non-technical and executive audiences.

Responsibilities

Work with the RPMO Director to develop and execute strategic and operational plans supporting the office’s growth, effectiveness, and long-term objectives.
Lead and oversee complex, high-profile, or strategically important research projects and programs, ensuring appropriate project management practices, resources, and support.
Supervise, coach, mentor, and develop assigned staff; establish expectations, monitor performance, provide feedback, support professional development, and foster a collaborative team.
Advise RPMO staff on planning and executing complex research projects, including scope, schedules, budgets, risks, and sponsor reporting.
Build and maintain working relationships with faculty, university units and leadership, sponsors, collaborating institutions, and other stakeholders.
Support new and expanding research initiatives by defining strategies, scope, organizational structures, deliverables, milestones, staffing and resource requirements, budgets, risks, and implementation approaches.
Help identify funding opportunities and develop competitive research proposals, including coordinating contributors and defining proposal strategies, responsibilities, timelines, project approaches, scope, schedules, and budgets.
Consult with Principal Investigators and research leadership on developing, launching, managing, growing, and sustaining complex research programs.
Identify and implement improvements to RPMO processes, tools, practices, and service delivery.
Promote consistent and appropriate use of PMBOK principles, practices, methods, and tools across RPMO-supported activities.
Assess current and anticipated staffing needs and work with the RPMO Director to set priorities and deploy resources.
Facilitate resolution of complex project, program, stakeholder, and organizational issues; anticipate conflict, clarify roles, develop solutions, and escalate when appropriate.
Represent RPMO in meetings, committees, working groups, and other activities with internal and external stakeholders.
Build and maintain a culture of proactive engagement, collaboration, accountability, adaptability, continuous learning, effective communication, and high-quality service.