Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement
Associate Vice President for Research Administration
Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement, Bozeman, Montana, us, 59772
Associate Vice President for Research Administration
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Associate Vice President for Research Administration
role at
Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement .
Position Overview The Associate Vice President for Research Administration (AVPRA) leads the research administration for MSU’s vibrant research enterprise. The AVPR supports the vision, planning, and policy development of MSU’s research initiatives as led by the VPRED, ensuring fiscal compliance and effective administrative support.
Duties and Responsibilities
Serve as a key member of the VPRED’s Executive Leadership Team and provide leadership for research administration.
Lead a customer‑focused organization, managing a team of approximately 20 staff and overseeing operations, onboarding, training, and employee engagement.
Assist the VPRED in developing and implementing research administration services to meet evolving institutional needs.
Support strategic short‑ and long‑term planning for effective use of VPRED and OSP resources.
Drive advancements in administrative systems, refine staffing structures, and foster professional development within the sponsored programs team.
Develop training and guidance for faculty, departmental staff, OSP staff, and central offices.
Improve business processes supporting strategic partnerships, using data analytics and artificial intelligence to streamline operations.
Oversee policy and procedure development for research awards, financial and non‑financial management, compliance, subcontracting, and award closeout.
Represent and work with the VPRED to optimize research space, including leased properties and on‑campus labs, offices, and facilities.
Interface with central administration to ensure research fiscal compliance and collaborate with business services, procurement, HR, IT, provost office, asset management, payroll, legal counsel, audit services, and safety and risk management.
Identify opportunities for collaboration with other MSU organizations and external partners to enhance the research mission.
Build relationships with agency officials and prepare official responses to government notifications.
Negotiate and manage new and existing master agreements and cooperative research agreements.
Coordinate pre‑award activities and proposal services in collaboration with the Office of Research Development; develop metrics for research administration.
Direct OSP information technology infrastructure and electronic research administration portals to ensure accurate and timely service delivery.
Serve as the Authorized Organization Representative for extramural funding documents.
Coordinate and submit the annual National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development Survey (NSF HERD).
Represent MSU at state and national level through professional organizations.
Identify and mitigate potential compliance risks to the institution.
Manage cost‑share requests for extramural grant proposals and sponsor commitments.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Master’s degree in business, public administration, or related field, plus extensive experience in research development and administration.
Demonstrated success working with high‑level strategic constituencies.
Extensive knowledge of university research environments, federal and state research compliance regulations and policies.
Leadership experience and commitment to 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
Possess excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Have proven leadership, team management, supervision, coaching, and staff development experience.
Demonstrate success in fostering a positive work environment and navigating change.
Show initiative, problem‑solving, conflict management, and effective relationship building.
Handle sensitive and confidential information with integrity.
Provide excellent customer service and adapt to changing priorities and procedures.
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.
Posting Detail Information Number of Vacancies: 1 Desired Start Date: Upon Completion Of a Successful Search Position End Date: Open Application Deadline: Applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established. Screening of applications will begin on September 25, 2025.
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.
Applicant Documents
Resume
Cover Letter
Optional Documents Supplemental questions may be required. Fields indicated with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.
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Associate Vice President for Research Administration
role at
Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement .
Position Overview The Associate Vice President for Research Administration (AVPRA) leads the research administration for MSU’s vibrant research enterprise. The AVPR supports the vision, planning, and policy development of MSU’s research initiatives as led by the VPRED, ensuring fiscal compliance and effective administrative support.
Duties and Responsibilities
Serve as a key member of the VPRED’s Executive Leadership Team and provide leadership for research administration.
Lead a customer‑focused organization, managing a team of approximately 20 staff and overseeing operations, onboarding, training, and employee engagement.
Assist the VPRED in developing and implementing research administration services to meet evolving institutional needs.
Support strategic short‑ and long‑term planning for effective use of VPRED and OSP resources.
Drive advancements in administrative systems, refine staffing structures, and foster professional development within the sponsored programs team.
Develop training and guidance for faculty, departmental staff, OSP staff, and central offices.
Improve business processes supporting strategic partnerships, using data analytics and artificial intelligence to streamline operations.
Oversee policy and procedure development for research awards, financial and non‑financial management, compliance, subcontracting, and award closeout.
Represent and work with the VPRED to optimize research space, including leased properties and on‑campus labs, offices, and facilities.
Interface with central administration to ensure research fiscal compliance and collaborate with business services, procurement, HR, IT, provost office, asset management, payroll, legal counsel, audit services, and safety and risk management.
Identify opportunities for collaboration with other MSU organizations and external partners to enhance the research mission.
Build relationships with agency officials and prepare official responses to government notifications.
Negotiate and manage new and existing master agreements and cooperative research agreements.
Coordinate pre‑award activities and proposal services in collaboration with the Office of Research Development; develop metrics for research administration.
Direct OSP information technology infrastructure and electronic research administration portals to ensure accurate and timely service delivery.
Serve as the Authorized Organization Representative for extramural funding documents.
Coordinate and submit the annual National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development Survey (NSF HERD).
Represent MSU at state and national level through professional organizations.
Identify and mitigate potential compliance risks to the institution.
Manage cost‑share requests for extramural grant proposals and sponsor commitments.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Master’s degree in business, public administration, or related field, plus extensive experience in research development and administration.
Demonstrated success working with high‑level strategic constituencies.
Extensive knowledge of university research environments, federal and state research compliance regulations and policies.
Leadership experience and commitment to 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
Possess excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Have proven leadership, team management, supervision, coaching, and staff development experience.
Demonstrate success in fostering a positive work environment and navigating change.
Show initiative, problem‑solving, conflict management, and effective relationship building.
Handle sensitive and confidential information with integrity.
Provide excellent customer service and adapt to changing priorities and procedures.
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.
Posting Detail Information Number of Vacancies: 1 Desired Start Date: Upon Completion Of a Successful Search Position End Date: Open Application Deadline: Applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established. Screening of applications will begin on September 25, 2025.
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.
Applicant Documents
Resume
Cover Letter
Optional Documents Supplemental questions may be required. Fields indicated with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.
#J-18808-Ljbffr