Vice President for Research & Innovation

UO HR Website•Eugene, OR

About The Position

The University of Oregon (UO), a top-tier public research university, seeks a strategic and collaborative administrator and transformative leader to serve as its next Vice President for Research and Innovation (VPRI). Reporting to the President, the Vice President for Research and Innovation will lead efforts to enhance UO’s research programs and impact by strengthening existing programs and developing new partnerships and collaborations across the state and globe. The Vice President provides strategic leadership for the Research and Innovation portfolio, advancing research excellence, faculty success, and societal impact through collaborative vision-setting and strong administrative support. The role fosters an inclusive research environment, delivers service-oriented and compliant research administration, and empowers institutional partners to navigate an evolving regulatory landscape while minimizing risk. The Vice President will appoint and evaluate senior leaders and faculty directors, guiding divisional priorities and overseeing the stewardship of budget and resources. The role also collaborates across the University to align space planning and resource allocation with divisional and institutional strategic goals. The Vice President serves as a senior advocate and ambassador for Research and Innovation, advancing the office’s mission through strategic communications, fundraising partnerships, and engagement with internal and external stakeholders. As a key member of the President’s cabinet, the role represents the University on critical committees and supports state and federal advocacy efforts. To see a full position profile or to apply, click here: https://www.parkersearch.com/opportunities/oregon-vice-president-research-and-innovation.

Requirements

Doctorate or equivalent degree from an accredited institution
Significant leadership experience with university research administration and/or technology transfer and innovation activities, including management of budgets and personnel
Outstanding communication and collaboration skills, including evidence of the ability to facilitate connections within and external to the University; to articulate a strong and clear vision for the University’s research programs; to exhibit sound judgment; and to interact effectively with multiple and diverse constituencies
A deep understanding of interdisciplinary research and team science, including its challenges and advantages
Impeccable academic judgment, an eye for high-quality research, and a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by world-class researchers
Ability to enhance research impact through support of university-led efforts in entrepreneurship, commercialization, technology transfer, science communication, and/or industrial collaborations
An understanding of and commitment to the mission of the University of Oregon
A commitment to transparency in policy, strategy, and financial management, with an appreciation of and support for shared governance
Highest ethical standards in all matters

Nice To Haves

Distinguished record of management of external funding as a sponsored researcher or innovator
Experience and interest in securing financial resources from a variety of public and/or private sources
Demonstrated record of organizational leadership in higher education or similar complex organizations, as evidenced by experience having supervised a team; having led or contributed to the development of budgets and operational strategy; having fostered an inclusive, collaborative, and respectful work culture; having navigated political and legislative contexts, government agency bureaucracy, corporate sponsorship, and complex regulatory environments
Distinguished record of capitalizing on and aligning university research with regional and national economic development priorities and issues
Leadership experience heading a large, complex research program
A demonstrated record of attracting and helping to recruit and retain research-active faculty
Track record of growing institutional research and scholarship with a balanced funding portfolio

Responsibilities

Lead efforts to enhance UO’s research programs and impact by strengthening existing programs and developing new partnerships and collaborations across the state and globe.
Provide strategic leadership for the Research and Innovation portfolio, advancing research excellence, faculty success, and societal impact through collaborative vision-setting and strong administrative support.
Foster an inclusive research environment, delivers service-oriented and compliant research administration, and empowers institutional partners to navigate an evolving regulatory landscape while minimizing risk.
Appoint and evaluate senior leaders and faculty directors, guiding divisional priorities and overseeing the stewardship of budget and resources.
Collaborate across the University to align space planning and resource allocation with divisional and institutional strategic goals.
Serve as a senior advocate and ambassador for Research and Innovation, advancing the office’s mission through strategic communications, fundraising partnerships, and engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
Represent the University on critical committees and supports state and federal advocacy efforts.