What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant / Associate Vice President for Research Business Operations position at University Of Oregon?
Department Summary
The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) serves as an advocate and catalyst within the University of Oregon (UO) for expanding the range and impact of UO's research, scholarship, and creative endeavors. The OVPRI oversees sponsored programs, research compliance, technology transfer, economic development, industry engagement, research-based ventures, and research development and administrative responsibility for numerous high-profile research centers and institutes and core research facilities, which provide opportunities for faculty across the university to collaborate on research efforts that are inherently interdisciplinary, and of significant societal importance. As a university that holds the distinction of a “very high research activity” ranking (R1) in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the UO is also one of only two Pacific Northwest members of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Visit research.uoregon.edu to learn more.
OVPRI, including centers and institutes, has over 700 employees across faculty, classified and unclassified staff, postdoctoral scholars, graduate and undergraduate students, with over $50m annual budget. The Research Business Operations unit is comprised of more than twenty-five financial, technology, and administrative staff that ensure the smooth operations of this organization. The Research Business Operations portfolio spans activities from a major technology upgrade for research administration, managing faculty startup distributions, research core administrative operations, human resource development, research data analysis, financial budgeting, and, reporting and forecasting tools.
UO continues to experience a rapid phase of growth in its research portfolio as a result of increasing the number of its recent hires of tenure line faculty, with a significant increase in the sciences and other grant-active disciplines. UO opened the Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact in 2020 and it is expanding in 2025, adding up to 30 tenure line faculty with large, sponsored research portfolios. The Ballmer Institute was established in 2022 and will further expand UO’s sponsored research portfolio. We expect rapid growth in the amount and diversity of funding over the coming several years and are seeking a leader who can ensure that OVPRI is able to meet this new demand.
The OVPRI is committed to a respectful work environment. We value the cultural, educational, and life experiences of each employee. We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver culturally responsive services to all members of our community. As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we welcome, respect, and foster a sense of belonging for a wide range of identities and experiences in our workforce. We strongly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial / ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and / or LGBTQIA community members.
Position Summary
The Assistant / Associate Vice President of Research Business Operations (AVPRBO) reports to the Vice President for Research and Innovation and is a key member of the OVPRI’s executive management team. The AVPRBO oversees several research administrative units and serves as the strategic leader for research business operations within the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), working cooperatively with leadership and administrative staff of OVPRI administrative units, centers, institutes, and research cores. OVPRI seeks a leader who can continue the development as a best in class, high performing, customer-centric team that aligns with the goals and objectives of the office and the institution and leads the fiscal management of the unit.
The AVPRBO supports operational excellence and continuous process improvement in the face of ever-changing researcher needs and regulatory obligations. Responsibilities of this position include comprehensive research operations oversight and stewardship of OVPRI teams in four core areas : (1) financial operations, (2) data analysis and technology management, (3) human resources management, and (4) space management. Financial management includes management of the Research Finance and Business Administration team, and reporting on expenditures, commitments, multi-year financial projections, and budgeting for various sub-units of OVPRI and central OVPRI operations. Data and technology management includes management of the Research Technology Services team and Data Analysis team, and ensuring research operations are supported by data integrity, technology infrastructure, and data interpretation. Human resources management includes oversight of and collaboration with the Human Resources team, as well as coordination with all OVPRI units, to ensure and promote equitable practices across HR functions in support of UO goals and objectives. Space management includes advocacy for research needs, accommodation considerations, and negotiation with various UO units for optimal growth of the research community and partnerships. The AVPRBO will provide leadership and oversight for change management, risk management, and the development of best practices to support OVPRI and UO teams in improving business processes, with the goal of efficient, service-oriented, implementation. This position will also provide leadership and oversight during institution-wide process improvements, from representing OVPRI needs in UO-wide considerations of potential system or process changes, to the transition from an OVPRI legacy research administration system to Huron’s suite for Research Business Operations.
The AVPRBO is a key advocate, representing the needs and priorities of the UO research enterprise. This role is essential to ensure that policies, processes, and financial resources align with the university's research mission and support robust research operations and objectives. This position partners closely with the AVP of Sponsored Projects Services and AVP of Research Integrity. Candidates with advanced skills and experience may be considered for the title of Associate Vice President for Research Operations.
Success for this position after 36 months would include :
- Establishing clear financial forecasting practices and transparent reporting mechanisms.
- Developing robust infrastructure for data analysis and quality improvement initiatives.
- Leading a smooth and successful implementation of Huron’s Research Suite, including effective change management, outreach, and communication with the research community.
- Building strong relationships with OVPRI center and institute directors, as well as business managers, to ensure service-oriented and efficiently run operations.
Minimum Requirements
Candidates with advanced skills and experience may be considered for the title of Associate Vice President of Research Business Operations.
We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes with relevant transferable skills from a variety of sources and experiences. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
Salary : $50
