Associate Vice President for Research Administration - Office of Vice President for Research

University at Albany•Albany, NY

About The Position

The Associate Vice President for Research Administration (AVP) is a senior member of the Division for Research and Economic Development leadership team and reports directly to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (VPRED). The AVP provides strategic leadership, executive oversight, and organizational direction for the University’s research administration enterprise, including Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) and Research Foundation Human Resources (RFHR), and coordinates with the Office of Regulatory Research Compliance (ORRC). The role integrates research administration, compliance, and Research Foundation operations in support of the University’s research mission and strategic growth objectives. As the principal administrative partner to the VPRED for research administration and Research Foundation operations, the AVP leads strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, process improvement, stakeholder engagement, and institutional risk management. The position participates in developing, interpreting, and implementing policies and strategic initiatives; serves as a liaison among Academic Affairs, the Division, SPA, ORRC, Research Foundation Operations, and academic units; and uses data, operational analytics, and stakeholder input to identify improvements, strengthen service delivery, reduce administrative silos, and increase competitiveness for research funding. The AVP also leads succession planning and workforce development and coordinates research administration and compliance functions at the executive level. The role supports continuity of Research Foundation operational leadership and the VPRED’s responsibilities as Senior Research Official and Research Foundation Operations Manager. The AVP supervises the Assistant Vice President for Sponsored Programs Administration and the Director of Research Foundation Human Resources, and partners closely with ORRC and academic and administrative leaders. The position is based in a typical office environment. The professional rank is Associate Vice President, MP, with a salary range of $245,000–$260,000. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

Master’s degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or an internationally recognized accrediting organization.
Ten years of progressively responsible leadership and supervisory experience in research administration, sponsored programs, research operations, or higher education administration.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex administrative or operational functions and supervise professional staff and managers.
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives, operational improvements, and organizational change.
Demonstrated ability to analyze complex issues, manage institutional risk, and make sound decisions in a dynamic environment.
Strong relationship-building, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
Demonstrated success leading organizational improvement initiatives and supporting growth in externally funded research.
Ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within a diverse campus community.
Ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging in relation to the role.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, higher education, finance, human resources, research administration, or a related field.
Experience at a research-intensive (R1) university or similarly complex organization.
Professional certification in research administration, human resources, or a related field.
Professional experience working within higher education.
Professional experience working within the SUNY System or Research Foundation for SUNY.
Professional supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to the VPRED on institutional research priorities, research administration strategy, and Research Foundation operations.
Provide executive leadership for coordination among SPA, ORRC, RFHR, Academic Affairs, and research stakeholders to strengthen governance, communication, and accountability.
Lead development and implementation of strategic plans, operational roadmaps, and performance objectives for research administration infrastructure and institutional research priorities.
Serve as the executive escalation point for complex, cross-functional, or institutionally significant matters involving research administration and compliance.
Exercise authority delegated by the VPRED to advance strategic initiatives, coordinate across the enterprise, and resolve institutional issues affecting research administration and compliance.
Coordinate institutional responses to significant audit findings, compliance concerns, and enterprise risks with SPA, ORRC, and University leadership.
Lead cross-functional planning on emerging federal regulations, sponsor requirements, research security initiatives, audit readiness, and institutional risk management.
Identify organizational risks, operational challenges, and strategic opportunities and advise the VPRED on actions to strengthen institutional effectiveness and research competitiveness.
Engage stakeholders across schools, colleges, and administrative units to identify needs, promote shared accountability, and support research growth.
Build relationships with faculty, deans, department chairs, research staff, University leadership, and Research Foundation leadership.
Facilitate collaboration among SPA, ORRC, Associate Deans for Research, departmental research administrators, and post-award managers to improve communication, streamline processes, strengthen compliance awareness, and coordinate support.
Convene and facilitate divisional leadership meetings, stakeholder forums, advisory groups, and cross-functional working groups to promote collaboration and continuous improvement.
Represent the VPRED, as delegated, in University leadership meetings, institutional committees, Research Foundation forums, and external stakeholder engagements.
Attend national meetings such as APLU COR, COGR, and NCURA, and provide feedback and recommendations to the VPRED and campus stakeholders on timely action items and strategic plans.
Establish organizational goals, performance measures, and accountability standards for research administration.
Assess organizational effectiveness and long-term capacity needs and recommend organizational design, workforce planning, and resource investments.
Lead continuous-improvement and change-management initiatives to improve operational effectiveness, customer service, employee engagement, and institutional capacity.
Evaluate handoffs, workflows, and service delivery across SPA, ORRC, RFHR, and departmental research administration functions to identify opportunities to improve coordination, reduce administrative burden, increase efficiency, and better support researchers.
Lead and manage direct reports and teams, providing guidance, coaching, performance feedback, professional development, and accountability.
Complete performance management feedback and goals on time, provide constructive feedback, and develop improvement plans when needed.
Develop succession plans, leadership development strategies, and cross-training programs for SPA and RFHR leadership positions.
Provide mentorship, training, and operational knowledge transfer to support leadership continuity within Research Foundation operations.
Identify and cultivate emerging leaders and ensure critical institutional knowledge, processes, and leadership responsibilities are documented and transferred.
Perform other reasonable duties as assigned.