Associate Director, Research

Arizona State University•Tempe, AZ

10d•$94,300 - $125,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Knowledge Enterprise (KE) Research Project Management Office (PMO) at ASU seeks an energetic, creative, and analytical individual to join us as an Associate Director, Research to help our faculty uncover the lessons of the past, navigate the perils of the present, and reinvent the promise of the future. ASU is evolving into a New American University that achieves excellence, access, and impact. To that end, KE, the home base for research at ASU, is charged with managing and growing a research portfolio that now exceeds $1B annually. Research PMO personnel work closely and collaboratively with faculty, staff, and other stakeholders to plan, direct, organize, and execute fast-paced, complex research projects across a range of scales. In the university environment this requires developing a working knowledge of cutting-edge concepts and technologies; working with teams to develop proposals and other strategies to fund projects and programs; understanding the importance of graduate and other training in the research enterprise; navigating and anticipating the dynamic ASU environment; and managing resources efficiently while meeting sponsor and university expectations. The Associate Director, Research provides leadership for these activities across RPMO-supported research projects and programs. The position works closely with the RPMO Director to develop and execute short- and long-range goals and strategies; provides leadership, guidance, and support to RPMO personnel; and develops strong, collaborative relationships with faculty, research teams, university leadership, and other stakeholders as appropriate. The Associate Director, Research combines research project management expertise with organizational leadership and strategic planning. The position helps identify emerging needs and opportunities across the RPMO portfolio, develops and implements approaches to improve outcomes, and ensures that RPMO staff and resources are effectively aligned with KE priorities. The Associate Director, Research is expected to work independently, exercise sound judgment in complex and ambiguous situations, communicate effectively across organizational levels, and foster an environment of collaboration, accountability, professional development, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and seven (7) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field including two (2) years managerial experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Experience working 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, and/or interdisciplinary projects and programs.
Experience supervising, coaching, mentoring, and developing project management personnel.
Evidence of effective verbal and written communication skills, including experience preparing and presenting information, recommendations, or analyses for senior leadership.
Experience in writing, developing, and/or managing proposals for funding from federal, state, industry, and/or philanthropic sources.
Demonstrated experience developing or improving project/program management processes, tools, standards, training, and/or organizational capabilities.
Knowledge of PMBOK project management principles, practices, methods, and techniques needed to manage large, complex, and 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 appropriate risk response and mitigation strategies.
Ability to lead through influence and build effective working relationships across organizational boundaries and with individuals at multiple levels of an organization.
Ability to establish priorities, allocate resources, and balance strategic and operational requirements across a portfolio of activities.
Ability to identify and implement opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness, efficiency, consistency, and quality.
Ability to effectively manage, supervise, and mentor assigned staff.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex information to non-technical and executive audiences.

Nice To Haves

Evidence of Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification.

Responsibilities

Works closely and collaboratively with the RPMO Director to develop and execute strategic and operational plans that support the growth, effectiveness, and long-term objectives of the RPMO.
Provides leadership and oversight for complex, high-profile, and/or strategically important research projects and programs, ensuring appropriate project management practices, resources, and support are in place to achieve desired outcomes.
Supervises, coaches, mentors, and develops assigned RPMO staff; establishes expectations, monitors performance, provides feedback, supports professional development, and fosters an effective and collaborative team environment.
Provides guidance and consultation to RPMO staff in the planning and execution of complex research projects and programs, including but not limited to scope management, schedule management, budget management, risk management, and sponsor reporting.
Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with faculty, academic and administrative units, KE leadership and staff, sponsors, collaborating institutions, and other internal and external stakeholders critical to the success of ASU research initiatives.
Supports the development of new and expanding research initiatives by working with faculty and other stakeholders to define program strategy, scope, organizational structures, deliverables, milestones, staffing and resource requirements, budgets, risks, and implementation approaches.
Supports the identification of funding opportunities and development of competitive research proposals. Works with faculty and research teams to develop proposal strategies, establish responsibilities and timelines, coordinate contributors, define project management and implementation approaches, and develop project scope, schedule, and budget.
Provides strategic and operational consultation to Principal Investigators and research leadership regarding the development, launch, management, growth, and sustainability of complex research programs.
Identifies opportunities to improve RPMO processes, tools, practices, and service delivery; leads or supports the development and implementation of solutions that increase effectiveness, consistency, efficiency, and quality.
Promotes the consistent and appropriate application of PMBOK principles, practices, methods, and tools across RPMO-supported activities while recognizing the differing needs of individual research projects and programs.
Assesses current and anticipated staffing requirements across assigned activities and works with the RPMO Director to establish priorities and deploy resources effectively.
Facilitates resolution of complex project, program, stakeholder, and organizational issues. Anticipates potential conflict, clarifies roles and expectations, develops collaborative solutions, and escalates issues when appropriate.
Represents RPMO in meetings, committees, working groups, and other activities involving KE, academic and administrative units, research partners, and other internal and external stakeholders.
Builds and maintains an organizational culture that values proactive engagement, collaboration, accountability, adaptability, continuous learning, effective communication, and high-quality service.