Director of Research Compliance

Harvard University • Boston, MA

16h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Research Compliance serves as Harvard Business School (HBS)’s senior subject matter expert on research compliance and a key member of the Research Administration team. The Director works collaboratively with faculty, researchers, administrators, and University offices to ensure compliance with applicable requirements while enabling innovative research. This role requires deep expertise in research compliance, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate complex and evolving issues with a practical, solutions-oriented approach.
The Director contributes in three primary areas:
1. Research Compliance Leadership
Provides strategic leadership, guidance, education, and oversight across research compliance domains, including human subjects protections, sponsored research, research collaborations, data governance, emerging technologies, and related regulatory requirements.
2. Governance and Institutional Decision-Making
Advises faculty and institutional leaders on complex research-related matters, helping balance research objectives, compliance obligations, and institutional risk.
3. Team Leadership
Leads and develops a team responsible for human subjects protections, research compliance, data management, and quality improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Master’s degree, JD, PhD, or equivalent experience required.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in research compliance, research administration, sponsored research, regulatory affairs, human subjects protections, legal affairs, or a related field is required.
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities and develop practical solutions.
• Strong understanding of research compliance, governance, and institutional risk management.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Exceptional relationship-building, facilitation, and influencing skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex issues clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative and matrixed environment.
• Strong service orientation and experience supporting faculty, senior leaders, and other key stakeholders.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and interest in leveraging technology, automation, data analytics, and AI-enabled tools to enhance compliance operations and the faculty research experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the School’s senior advisor on research compliance and lead the ongoing development and enhancement of HBS’s research compliance program.
• Monitor and interpret federal, state, sponsor, University, and School requirements affecting faculty research.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, guidance, training, and educational resources.
• Assess compliance risks and recommend practical mitigation strategies.
• Provide expertise in areas including human subjects’ protections, data governance and management, sponsored research compliance, export controls, intellectual property, research partnerships, and emerging technologies.
• Identify opportunities to improve compliance operations through technology, automation, data analytics, and AI-enabled tools.
• Lead efforts to modernize compliance operations and improve efficiency, consistency, and user experience through which compliance support is delivered.
• Support the development and management of research collaborations involving faculty, sponsors, external organizations, and research partners.
• Advise stakeholders on compliance, governance, and institutional considerations related to external partnerships.
• Collaborate with the Office for Sponsored Programs, Office of Technology Development, Office of the General Counsel, Office of the Vice Provost for Research, and other University offices.
• Guide faculty and research teams on issues involving data sharing, AI, cloud services, digital platforms, and evolving research methodologies.
• Help balance faculty research goals, institutional interests, compliance requirements, and partner expectations.
• Partner closely with the Director of Research Facilitation and Planning and other stakeholders to help faculty navigate complex research activities and develop practical, risk-informed paths forward.
• Advise faculty, administrators, and School leaders on research-related compliance, governance, risk, and operational issues.
• Facilitate review of research activities, collaborations, data acquisitions, and emerging technologies requiring institutional assessment.
• Support informed decision-making through effective communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead, manage, and develop the school’s research compliance team.
• Directly supervise: Assistant Director, Research Administration and Human Subjects Protection; Assistant Director, Research Compliance, Quality Improvement Program; Assistant Director, Research Compliance, Data Management.
• Establish priorities, goals, and performance expectations aligned with School objectives.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and high-performing team culture focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

What This Job Offers

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