Assistant / Associate Vice President for Research Business Operations - University of Oregon
Eugene, OR
About the Job
Department: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $140,000 - $205,000 per year; Commensurate with experience
Compensation Band: OS-OA13-Fiscal Year 2024-2025
FTE: 1.0
Application Review Begins
January 21, 2025; position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
With your online application, please upload a resume and a cover letter describing your experience, professional competencies and qualifications, and your interest to serve the University in the role. You will also be asked to enter the names and contact information of three professional references; candidates will be notified prior to contacting references.
Candidates with advanced skills and experience may be considered for the title of Associate Vice President for Research Operations.
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
• Master's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related field; in exceptional circumstances, a bachelors degree plus 6 or more years of financial experience in higher education administration may be considered equivalent.
• Four years of financial, accounting, and budgetary experience in a lead financial officer capacity.
• Five years of supervisory experience, including progressive leadership of professional and administrative staff.
• One of the following:
• Six years of related and increasingly responsible experience at a research university, research institute, hospital, or research and development unit of a corporation; OR
• Three years of experience as an academic leader with research administration responsibilities (e.g. assistant/associate dean for research, research institute head, head of research-intensive department, familiar with research funding programs) AND experience as a principal investigator with a sponsored research portfolio;
OR
• Ten years of increasingly responsible experience in a government agency or similar highly regulated environment, where job duties have included high-level management, setting of strategic direction, customer service, regulatory compliance, and execution of programmatic and process improvement.
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.
Professional Competencies
• Deep understanding of accounting principles, complex financial modeling, and budget planning; ability to manage and provide oversight for budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting.
• Strategic and analytical thinking, with a commitment to innovation, improvement, and facilitating faculty research and operations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to collaborate with internal and external partners, and to interact with financial decision-makers, maintaining a high level of sensitivity, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Proven ability to lead diverse teams, foster collaboration, and manage change effectively.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural competency.
• A sophisticated approach to cultural change that balances awareness of established practices with bold, reasoned pursuit of innovation.
• Demonstrated ability to develop policy and procedure, sustaining and continuously improving operations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, set appropriate work priorities, and balance multiple competing priorities.
Preferred Qualifications
• Advanced or terminal degree in business administration, public administration, finance, accounting, or human resources.
• Financial leadership experience at major research university or similarly complex institution.
• Expertise in fund accounting, human resources management, space allocation, change management, and complex data analysis/reporting.
• Familiarity with enterprise resource planning systems like BANNER.
• Proven ability to develop performance metrics, manage workflows, and oversee technology-driven projects.
• Experience developing and leading professional teams.
• Experience developing and managing a shared service unit, including tracking performance metrics, managing staff workflow, and ensuring adherence to deadlines and quality standards.
FLSA Exempt: Yes
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit https://hr.uoregon.edu/about-benefits.
The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.
UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.
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