Director of Research Security Compliance

Auburn University•Auburn, AL

17h

About The Position

The Director of Research Security Compliance provides strategic leadership and oversight of Auburn University's research security and classified research programs. The role is responsible for protecting sensitive research activities and ensuring compliance with applicable federal laws, regulations, and sponsor requirements. Serving as the University's Facility Security Officer (FSO) and Insider Threat Program Senior Official (ITPSO), the Director leads security operations and compliance activities for the classified research portfolio. The position oversees institutional programs and processes to identify, assess, and mitigate research security risks, and works with university leadership, faculty, researchers, compliance professionals, government agencies, and external partners to strengthen security practices, promote awareness, and support responsible research activity.

Requirements

Experience in intelligence, counterintelligence, information security, or related areas involving management, training, compliance, and federal requirements.
One of the following education and experience combinations: master's degree in any discipline and 6 years of experience; bachelor's degree in any discipline and 8 years of experience; or high school diploma or equivalent and 12 years of experience.
U.S. citizenship.
A current U.S. government Top Secret security clearance, or a current U.S. government Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance upon hire.
Completion of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agencies Facility Security Officers Course for Possessing Facilities upon hire.
ECoP Certified Export Compliance Professional credential upon hire.

Responsibilities

Identify and mitigate foreign influence risks by assessing international travel, collaborations, and affiliations with faculty and staff, and develop risk mitigation strategies, training, and compliance programs.
Manage the classified security program, including processes for federal research compliance, reporting, auditing, record maintenance, and training, while ensuring adherence to NISPOM, Intelligence Community Directives, and other federal regulations.
Advise university leadership, faculty, staff, and students on classified operations and safeguarding classified information through presentations, briefings, and internal assessments.
Conduct internal audits and risk assessments of classified, export control, insider threat, and controlled unclassified information programs between government audits, helping ensure compliance and prepare for external reviews.
Develop and implement university-wide foreign travel security and research security training programs, ensure covered individuals receive mandatory training, and establish and administer a system to track and report high-risk international travel.
Provide comprehensive oversight and leadership of the Insider Threat Program, including program development, cross-departmental collaboration, risk management, regulatory compliance, training, incident response coordination, and reporting to university leadership and government agencies.