Senior Director, Research Security

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

11d • $140,000 - $183,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director of the Office of Secure Research leads and manages the Office of Secure Research and has oversight of the university’s compliance with export control and national security-related regulations and obligations, including compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and oversees the university’s National Industry Security Program. Provides oversight and leadership in monitoring the complex external regulatory environment in these areas of regulated research, and develops, implements and monitors institutional response plans. The Senior Director oversees the Office’s interactions with the Office of Sponsored Programs, Office of Research Compliance, Office of Academic Affairs, Office of Legal Affairs and other stakeholders across the university to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements, prevent and mitigate improper foreign influence and contribute to developing a strategic vision for research security. The Senior Director leads a team that develops, implements and assesses strategic and action plans to position the university to perform controlled and classified research in support of the university’s research goals. This role develops plans to increase the corresponding security infrastructure. The Senior Director will engage nationally to stay current with pending and proposed regulations, policies and guidance documents that may affect the university’s research activities and to develop and implement best practices of academic secure research. This role participates in and works to coordinate communication with appropriate federal regulatory and law enforcement agencies to strengthen the relationship between Ohio State and the agencies, and to facilitate interactions between the agencies and university leadership and faculty members. This role oversees educational offerings regarding fundamental research objectives of the University, foreign influence, and related matters. Additionally, the Senior Director directs the risk assessment process related to international research engagements, export controls, and related national security concerns. This position reports to the Associate Vice President for Research Integrity and Investigations, with functional reporting to the Vice President for Research and the Chief Compliance Officer. This position will lead the strategic planning for activities related to the development, implementation and maintenance of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with U.S. regulations and University policies as they relate to secure research, export control and sanctions regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 12 years of experience and knowledge leading and performing secure research operations to align with institutional, state, and federal compliance requirements.
• 5 years of experience and knowledge in export controls.
• 5 years of leadership experience in supervision and development of staff.
• 3 years of experience successfully leading compliance initiatives related to secure classified research.
• 10 years of experience working with sponsored research and compliance issues in higher education.
• Ability to lead projects requiring integration of efforts across many internal and external entities.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to promote, support, and foster a culture of integrity, engagement and collaboration.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in a relevant research-related field.
• Current security clearance at the Collateral Secret level, is within a year of having one, or is eligible to hold one.
• 5 years of demonstrated ability to exercise authority through influencing others and building strong relationships.
• 5 years of demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, operate with ambiguities, and communicate to a complex set of audiences.
• Ability to provide strategic leadership to the organization.
• 3 years of interaction with appropriate federal regulatory and law enforcement agencies.

Responsibilities

• Leads and manages the Office of Secure Research.
• Oversees the university’s compliance with export control and national security-related regulations and obligations, including ITAR, EAR, OFAC sanctions, and the National Industry Security Program.
• Monitors the external regulatory environment and develops/implements institutional response plans.
• Oversees interactions with various university offices (Sponsored Programs, Research Compliance, Academic Affairs, Legal Affairs) to ensure compliance and mitigate foreign influence.
• Develops and implements strategic and action plans for controlled and classified research.
• Develops plans to increase security infrastructure.
• Engages nationally to stay current with regulations and develop best practices for academic secure research.
• Coordinates communication with federal regulatory and law enforcement agencies.
• Oversees educational offerings on fundamental research, foreign influence, and related matters.
• Directs the risk assessment process for international research engagements, export controls, and national security concerns.
• Leads strategic planning for policies and procedures related to secure research, export control, and sanctions regulations.

Benefits

• Salary range of $140,000 - $183,000
• Hybrid work arrangements considered (at least 2 days in office per week)
• The successful applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, asylee or refugee, or an otherwise protected individual pursuant to Title 8 U.S. Code Section 1324b(a)(3)(b) due to export control regulations.

What This Job Offers

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