Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
About SMU
A nationally ranked private university located near the heart of Dallas, SMU is a distinguished center for global research and teaching.
SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.
SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.
Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.
SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.
About the Department:
The Office of Research provides support services for faculty and graduate students to advance the University's research agenda.
About the Position:
This role is an on-campus, in-person position.
The position is part of the Office of Research and Innovation that reports to the Vice Provost for Research.
The Director of Research Operations and Infrastructure collaborates with a team who have responsibilities of managing compliance, infrastructure and facilities, and technology transfer.
The individual in this role will work to create a culture of collaboration and research business acumen, to attract sponsors and external collaborators, and empower investigators, focusing on portfolio growth in high-impact research.
Essential Functions:
Ensure conformance of various compliance process in proposal submission, IP development, Technology Transfer. Provide direction and day-to-day management and oversight of research activities occurring at SMU. Consult with faculty, staff, and stakeholders in various phases of research, and be responsible for managing operational processes of the organization. Ensure that strategy, structure, and research processes are supportive of and conducive to ongoing contractual obligations and future national grant awards.
In collaboration with other directors the Director of Operations will develop and execute enterprise-wide strategic and operational research plans. Lead enterprise-wide research projects to facilitate the ability of SMU investigators in the colleges and schools to conduct research. Provide input to optimize enterprise-level systems supporting research administration.
Collaborate with other support services and across campus to address the challenges associated with faculty research, facilitate the process and outcomes. Build and maintain positive working relationships with stakeholders and ensure effective communications and workflows.
Generate cogent, data driven, oral and written reports and dashboards to make recommendations, illustrate goals, milestones, and progress. Ensure a high level of service is provided to principal investigators and departmental, center, school and central administrators. Develop and monitor internal performance metrics to ensure high levels of service and accomplishment of objectives. Design and implement research administration training programs.
Support best research practices. Lead efforts to drive continuous improvement in the systems, processes and people skills which deliver the workflow of the organization, including being responsible for change management and stakeholder communication and engagement. Coordinate compliance training for OR staff, faculty and students in collaboration with Moody School.
Through the use of innovation and strategic thinking, identify opportunities for novel use of technology in research operations which supports harmonized/optimized use of existing technology platform/stakeholder investments supporting research, as well as identification and business planning for new technologies that improve efficiency, lower operating costs, and/or improve compliance.
The incumbent works closely with the Director of Sponsored Projects and Contracts, Office of Legal Affairs, OIT, GCA in establishing and periodically updating the POS for various operations in the OR.
Director will also assist the Director of Sponsored Projects and Contracts in negotiation, and approval of terms and conditions of external awards, contracts, and tech transfer agreements, and to insure compliance with Federal, State, University, and sponsor requirements.
Evaluate issues as they relate to federal, state, and local risk management for research. Monitor developments and changes in statutes and court rulings and communicate with Federal and State entities to maintain University research operations in compliance with government regulations, and provide expert advice to the Associate Provost for Research and the Provost on matters concerning responsible and compliant conduct of research. Advise the staff who work closely with the PI and Office of Research.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Master's degree is required.
A minimum of seven years work experience in research administration or higher education is required.
Experience in positions providing oversight on the ethical conduct of research and compliance with government regulations, and a combination of experience in research and administration of research is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.
Candidate must have strong organizational, planning and time-management skills. Must also be a self-starter, skilled in critical analysis with outstanding problem-solving skills. A high ethical standard and the ability to exercise judgment and discretion in interpreting and applying regulations and procedures are essential.
Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of MS Office Suite.
Physical and Environmental Demands:
Sit for long periods of time
Deadline to Apply:
The position is open until filled
EEO Statement:
SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.
Benefits:
SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.
