Assistant Vice President, Research Administration Service Units

Tulane University invites nominations, inquiries, and applications for the newly created role of Assistant Vice President, Research Administration Service Units. Tulane seeks a visionary leader and accomplished subject-matter expert who will direct the Research Administration Service Units (RASU) in supporting and stewarding the University's research activities with a commitment to service and technical excellence that will also sustain institutional compliance.

The Research Administration Service Units (RASU) provide services, support, and guidance to researchers and departmental administrators on sponsored research and project administration and in support of research funding and compliance. Reporting to the Vice President of Research, Giovanni Piedimonte, MD , the Assistant Vice President (AVP) oversees the research administration service units that provide a large portion of the pre- and post-award research administration support functions to researchers across campuses.

The AVP-RASU is responsible for oversight of four pods, comprised of pre- and post-award staff providing services including assisting PIs with budgets, proposal submissions, award set up, effort certification, financial reporting, and closeouts. The AVP leads the units including maintaining roles and responsibilities, job descriptions, standard operating procedures, service level expectations, and metrics for measuring performance and effectiveness on the key dimensions of service, cost-effectiveness, compliance, and accuracy. The University's externally sponsored awards total nearly $200 million annually.

Tulane is seeking a successful leader with a demonstrated track record of serving faculty and delivering effective and efficient research-support services in a complex university, research institute, or funding agency environment. The AVP will have strong management and leadership skills and a proven ability to work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and both private and public sponsoring agencies.

A Bachelor's degree, 7 years of work-related experience in grants and contracts management, and 3 years of direct supervisory and management experience; or a High School Diploma/equivalent and 13 years of directly related work experience are required. Also required are advanced skills in using sponsored research IT systems, particularly an eRA system such as Cayuse. Preference will be given to those with experience in higher education or other non-profit, research-based organizations, Department of Defense and other government contracting, fiscal administration, including management and supervision of the grants administration team. Knowledge of, and experience and familiarity with, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations and grant funding policies and procedures and federal forms is also preferred.

Tulane University has engaged Opus Partners to support the recruitment of this position. Katie Dean, Associate Partner, and Marisea Rivera, Senior Associate, are leading the search. Inquiries, applications, and nominations should be sent by email to Marisea ( marisea.rivera@opuspartners.net ).

Tulane University is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution committed to excellence through diversity. Tulane University will not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other status or classification protected by federal, state, or local law. All eligible candidates are encouraged to apply.