Director - Research Information Systems

Penn State University • Ferguson Township, PA

111d • $97,100 - $145,700

About The Position

The Office of Research Information Systems within the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research seeks applications for the position of a Director. The Director - Research Information Systems is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the vision, development, and operational oversight of information systems that support the research enterprise within Penn State. As the bridge between research administration, IT, and the research community, the Director will ensure the delivery of innovative, robust, and compliant systems that facilitate research productivity and uphold the institution’s commitment to data stewardship.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale, complex technology projects within a research or IT environment.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory and compliance frameworks relevant to research data.
• Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing, cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional communication skills, capable of translating complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.
• Experience in budget development, resource planning, and vendor contract negotiation.
• Expertise with research administration systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in information systems, computer science, research administration, or a related field.
• Experience with cloud-based research infrastructure and SaaS research administration solutions.
• Familiarity with data standards, ontologies, and interoperability frameworks for research data.
• Active participation in national or international research IT or research administration associations.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the strategic direction for research information systems, ensuring alignment with institutional research goals, regulatory compliance obligations, and emerging technology trends.
• Oversee the selection, development, and seamless integration of research administration system components including proposal management, awards management, compliance, and data warehouse systems.
• Serve as the primary liaison among research faculty, administrative staff, IT professionals, external partners, and vendors.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams in planning and executing system implementations, upgrades, and process improvements.
• Establish and enforce rigorous policies for data stewardship, privacy, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Identify, evaluate, and champion emerging technologies and industry best practices that enhance research administration.
• Oversee the development and continuous improvement of training programs and user support services.
• Lead ongoing assessment of system performance and user feedback, driving continuous enhancement through data-driven decision making.
• Develop and manage budgets, negotiate contracts, and allocate resources efficiently to support the research information systems portfolio.
• Enable advanced reporting, analytics, and business intelligence capabilities to support research activities.
• Develop and implement comprehensive business continuity and disaster recovery strategies for mission-critical research systems.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Robust retirement plans.
• Substantial paid time off including holidays, vacation, and sick time.
• Generous 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible spouses and children.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree