Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation/Chief Operating Officer

Salary/Position Classification

• $250,000+ annual, DOE

Purpose of Position

The Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation / Chief Operating Officer (AVPRI/COO) serves as a senior executive leader within the Division of Research and Economic Development, providing high-level leadership for internal strategy execution, divisional operations, cross-unit coordination, organizational effectiveness, and internal relationship management. The AVPRI/COO ensures that the Division functions in a coordinated, efficient, mission-aligned, and service-oriented manner. The position oversees key internal functions including research compliance and integrity, divisional strategic initiative coordination, operational standardization, internal data and impact tracking, office administration, and team development. The role also serves as a key representative of the VPRED in internal and external settings and works collaboratively across academic and administrative units to advance the University’s research and innovation enterprise. The position has direct supervisory responsibility for designated internal operational and administrative functions within the Division, including supervision of administrative, operational, and human resources staff. The position also works closely with the Office of Economic Development, the Center for Innovation, and the Director of Finance to support alignment and integration across the Division.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Executive Leadership and Division Operations Provide executive leadership for the internal administration and effective functioning of the Division of Research and Economic Development.
  • Oversee the internal day-to-day functioning of the Division to ensure coordinated, efficient, and mission-aligned operations.
  • Serve as a key advisor to the VPRED on divisional operations, organizational needs, and implementation priorities. 
  • Translate strategic direction from the VPRED into actionable internal plans, timelines, and operational processes.
  • Identify operational barriers, organizational gaps, and workflow inefficiencies and implement solutions to improve effectiveness.
  • Represent the VPRED, as assigned, at meetings, events, and functions involving internal and external stakeholders.
• Compliance and Research Administration Leadership Provide leadership and oversight for the Office of Research Compliance and Ethics, research integrity and other select designated research compliance functions and research administration activities within the Division. 
  • Oversee the Office of Research Compliance and Ethics, research integrity and other designated compliance functions to ensure alignment with university policy, sponsor requirements, and applicable laws and regulations.
  • Support the development, refinement, and implementation of policies, procedures, and internal practices related to compliance administration.
  • Monitor compliance-related operational performance and identify opportunities for improvement, coordination, and risk mitigation.
  • Elevate significant compliance issues, trends, and resource needs to the VPRED as appropriate.
• Strategic Initiative Coordination and Organizational Execution Lead and coordinate high-priority internal initiatives that advance the goals of the Division and the University’s research and innovation enterprise. 
  • Develop and manage internal structures for tracking divisional priorities, milestones, deliverables, and cross-unit progress. 
  • Support planning and execution of new initiatives designed to strengthen research capacity and innovation infrastructure.
  • Develop internal briefings, implementation updates, and decision-support materials for the VPRED and other University leaders.
  • Promote accountability for progress on priority initiatives through active follow-up, coordination, and problem-solving. 
  • Coordinate with the Office of Economic Development, the Center for Innovation, and the Director of Finance to promote alignment of planning, communication, and finance functions across the Division. 
• Organizational Effectiveness, Team Development, and Standard Operating Procedures Strengthen the internal cohesion, consistency, and effectiveness of the Division through team-building, process improvement, and operational standardization. 
  • Support a collaborative, high-functioning, and service-oriented culture across the Division.
  • Lead efforts to improve organizational clarity, coordination, communication, and operational efficiency.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain divisional standard operating procedures (SOPs), workflow documentation, and other internal operating frameworks that promote accountability, continuity, and quality across the Division’s functions.
  • Partner with unit leaders to identify staffing, workflow, and coordination needs and to support strong team performance. 
  • Advance professional, respectful, and effective internal working relationships among Division staff and leaders.
• Administrative Operations and Internal Coordination Oversee core office and administrative functions that support the internal operations of the Division. 
  • Supervise the Director of Operations and, through that role, provide leadership for the Division’s administrative and operational support functions.
  • Provide leadership and supervision to the Division’s operations staff who may have Human Resources (HR) or Payroll paperwork responsibilities as liaison’s to UND HR.
  • Collaborate with the UND Senior Divisional Human Resources Partner on employee matters including recruiting, compensation, organizational development and employee relations, etc.
  • Ensure that office operations, administrative workflows, and support structures are effective, coordinated, and responsive to divisional needs.
  • Coordinate internal communication flows, meeting structures, and operational follow-through across units and leaders.
  • Provide operational leadership for internal planning, scheduling, and coordination related to major divisional activities. 
• Internal Data and Performance Monitoring Support the Division’s internal operational data and performance-monitoring efforts and coordinate alignment across related units. 
  • In collaboration with Division leaders, support the collection, organization, analysis, and reporting of internal operational data related to divisional performance, university research success, and institutional impact.
  • Develop metrics and reporting tools to support informed decision-making by the VPRED and University leadership.
  • Identify and track meaningful performance indicators related to divisional services, research activity, institutional outcomes, and operational effectiveness.
  • Use internal data to identify trends, opportunities, service gaps, and areas for improvement.
  • Support the preparation of reports, presentations, and briefing materials that communicate divisional and university research progress.

Required Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, build productive relationships, and represent senior leadership in internal and external settings.

Minimum Requirements

• Earned doctorate from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Current or prior appointment as a tenured full professor, or credentials sufficient for appointment as a tenure-eligible full professor.
• Experience in research leadership (e.g., Assistant Vice President for Research, Associate Dean for Research) at an academic institution.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible academic leadership experience.
• Experience providing executive leadership for complex organizational operations, including cross-unit coordination, strategic initiative execution, process improvement, internal relationship management, and organizational effectiveness.
• Experience working in the research enterprise in a university setting, including sponsored programs, research development, research compliance, faculty engagement, interdisciplinary research, technology transfer, and institutional research strategy.
• Experience supervising large and complex units of professional, administrative, operational, and/or compliance-related staff.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as an Associate Vice President for Research.
• Experience serving in a leadership role within an R1 university.
• Significant history of PI-level funding from a variety of sponsor types.
• Experience overseeing or coordinating institutional research compliance functions, such as research integrity, human subjects research, animal care and use, biosafety, export controls, conflict of interest, responsible conduct of research, research security, or related federally regulated compliance areas.
• Experience leading or overseeing faculty proposal development services, limited submissions, large-scale proposal coordination, interdisciplinary research initiatives, or faculty research capacity-building efforts.
• Experience leading organizational change, including operational restructuring, process modernization, development of standard operating procedures, implementation of service models, or improvement of administrative systems.

To Apply

Click here to view the position profile and university profile. 

Applications should include a letter of interest (not more than three pages) specifically addressing the applicant’s background in relationship to the qualifications described, a current resume or curriculum vitae and any additional materials as required/desired.

Applications can be submitted electronically, and in confidence, to: und.edu/careers

Applications received by November 5, 2026 are assured consideration. Confidential discussions about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting Peggy Varberg at peggy.varberg@UND.edu.