What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Vice President for Research Administration position at Montana State University?
As a direct report of the VPRED the AVPRA leads and manages research administration at MSU. The AVPRA oversees all university policies and procedures relating to research grant and contract administration and fiscal compliance. The AVPR provides leadership for an organization that must be agile, adapting to the size and complexity of MSU research initiatives by increasing efficiencies and capacity. MSU is a Carnegie R1 (Doctoral University— Very High Research Activity) university and annual research expenditures currently exceed $250M, growing 10-15% annually. The AVPRA also represents MSU at state and national level by serving as a spokesperson and advocate for the research mission, and as a liaison to public and private sponsored programs funding agencies.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Serve as a key member of the VPRED’s Executive Leadership Team. Provide updates, guidance and insights on all matters related to research administration.
- Lead a customer-focused research administration organization with a leaderships team and a staff of approximately 20. Effectively manage operations, staff onboarding and training, employee engagement and retention.
- Assist the VPRED in the development, enhancement and implementation of research administration services to meet the ever-changing needs of a growing and vibrant research university.
- Support the VPRED in performing strategic short and long-term planning for effective allocation and utilization of VPRED and OSP resources.
- Drive advancements in administrative systems and processes, assess and refine staffing and organizational structures, and encourage professional development and excellence among sponsored programs team members.
- Develop, update, and deliver relevant research administration training and guidance for faculty, departmental staff, OSP staff and other central offices.
- Assist in the establishment and improvement of business processes that support strategic partnerships to benefit the MSU research enterprise. Use data analytics and artificial intelligence to develop innovative solutions for operational excellence and to streamline processes. Provide the VPRED with timely data and reports to use in decision making.
- Oversee policy and procedure development relating to research, award negotiations and management (both financial and non-financial), reporting, cash management, compliance, subcontracting, and award closeout. Monitor agency regulations and adjust university policies as needed. Interpret federal and state policies for university stakeholders.
- Represent and work with the VPRED to optimize research space, both leased properties and on campus labs, offices and facilities. Attend University Facilities Planning and Budget meetings, Space Management meetings, Research Space Committee and Research Council.
- Interface in a leadership capacity on behalf of RED with central administration, colleges and units to ensure research fiscal compliance, including the University Business Services, Procurement Services, Human Resources, Information Technology, Provost Office, Asset Management, Payroll, Legal Counsel, Audit Services, and Safety and Risk Management.
- Identify opportunities to collaborate with other organizations in the MSU community, expand and build relationships and partnerships to support and enhance the research mission.
- Build strong relationships with agency officials. Prepare official responses to notifications from government entities and funding agencies with support from MSU Legal Counsel.
- Review, draft, negotiate new and continuing master agreements and cooperative research agreements with federal, state and private agencies.
- Coordinate and streamline pre-award activities and proposal services in collaboration with the Office of Research Development. Develop metrics for research administration to promote efficiency and effectiveness across the pre and post-award process.
- In collaboration with MSU Information Technology, direct the OSP information technology infrastructure and the electronic research administration portals that interact with MSU to handle proposals, awards, and research compliance to ensure accurate and timely delivery of services as required by federal, state and private sponsors.
- Serve as the Authorized Organization Representative for extramural funding documents for OSP and other central offices.
- Coordinate, prepare and submit the annual National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development Survey (NSF HERD).
- Represent MSU at the state and national level by participating in national professional organizations, such as Council on Government Relations, National Council of University Research Administrators, Federal Demonstration Partnership and the State of Montana Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education and Governor’s Office.
- Identify possible compliance risks to the institution and help develop pragmatic and proactive solutions to mitigate these risks.
- Review requests for cost share on extramural grant proposals as needed and manage commitments made to sponsors.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Master’s degree in business or public administration, or related field, and extensive experience in research development and administration, university research development, and/or research administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated success working with high level, strategically important internal and external constituencies.
- Extensive knowledge about university research environments and infrastructure and current federal and state research compliance regulations, policies, and practices.
- Leadership experience and a desire for continuous professional development.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Certified Research Administrator- Research Administrators Certification Council.
- Experience implementing research administration software.
The Successful Candidate Will
- Have excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
- Have proven leadership experience, team management, supervision, coaching, and staff development.
- Have demonstrated success in fostering a positive work environment, delegating responsibilities, managing performance, and navigating change.
- Have demonstrated the ability to take initiative in decision making, problem solving, and managing conflicts.
- Have demonstrated the ability to maintain effective working relationships with a broad range of constituents both internal and external to the organization.
- Have the ability to appropriately handle sensitive and confidential information.
- Have the strong desire to provide excellent customer service.
- Have the ability to adapt to changing priorities, policies, and procedures while maintaining a positive, effective and professional approach.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties?
Yes
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Upon completion of a successful search.
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on August 20, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Salary : $250
