Associate Director

Overview

The associate director leads, plans, and manages the activities of the compliance team in the Office of Sponsored Projects and Research Compliance (SPARC), overseeing activities related to the ethical and legal aspects of research compliance, including export control, conflict of interest, animal use program (IACUC), human participants research (IRB), use of Recombinant DNA (IBC), use of stem cells (SCRO), and the responsible conduct of research (RCR). The associate director manages staff to achieve goals and objectives managing complex, cross-functional projects with university-wide impact. Assists in the development and administration of Rice policies and procedures related to research compliance and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws, and regulations. Manages and leads projects with university-wide impact. Assists in the development and administration of Rice policies and procedures related to research compliance and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws, and regulations.

SPARC seeks an individual who is comfortable collaborating with faculty and administrators, communicating federal and university requirements to university stakeholders, overseeing compliance programs and policy development in response to government agency updates, leading a small compliance team, and handling multiple projects with competing deadlines.

Education Required: Bachelor's Degree

Substitution for Education Requirement
Experience may not be substituted for the education requirement.

Education Preferred:

Master's degree in business or legal field, or Juris Doctor (J.D.) specializing in compliance and export control.

Experience Required: 5 years

Type of Experience:

Related experience in research compliance.

Substitution for Experience Requirement
May substitute additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis in lieu of the experience requirement.

Experience Preferred

Related experience in research compliance programs for conflict of interest, export control, and/or law specializing in compliance and export control; experience managing and developing staff; and any of the following:

• Experience working in higher education
• Experience working in either a pre-award or compliance related office associated with research administration in a hospital or university setting
• Experience coordinating institutional programs for IACUC, IRB, SCRO, and IBC

License/Certification Required

None

License/Certification Preferred

• Certificate in healthcare compliance (e.g., CHC, CHRC)
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
• Certified IRB Professional (CIP)
• Certified Professional IACUC Administrator (CPIA)

Skills Required

• Extensive knowledge of research compliance and the associated laws and regulations
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Leadership experience
• Project management skills
• Ability to be discreet with confidential matters
• Have sound judgement so as to make decisions independently
• Outstanding attention to detail
• Ability to deal with difficult situations with a high degree of discretion and tact

Skills Preferred

• Sophisticated knowledge of sponsored research compliance particularly with regard to the NIH & NSF funding, federal contracts, and compliance with Export Control regulations
• Skills for developing university policies and procedures
• Able to manage complex projects and develop institutional policies and procedures

Internal / External Contacts

Internal: Extensive contact with faculty, academic and administrative departments

External: Contact with federal agencies and peer institutions

Physical Demands

Requires working at a computer for extended periods of time (up to eight hours per day).

Working Conditions

General office environment

Essential Personnel

Position is not considered essential during a campus emergency.

Rice University Standard of Civility

Serves as a representative of the University, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration and discretion in all interactions with other members of the Rice community and with the public.

Security Sensitive:

As defined under the Texas Education Code and Rice Policy No. 425, this position is security sensitive and employment in this position is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Essential Functions

• Manages, plans, controls, and supervises research compliance staff and assists the assistant vice provost (AVP) for sponsored projects and research compliance in the overall management of research compliance for the University
• Works with the AVP, institutional official (IO), committee chairs, and others to engage in strategic planning and implementation of systems, policies, and operations pertaining to research compliance.
• Makes recommendations and assists in the development and updating of University policies and procedures pertaining to research compliance; draft policies and procedures pertaining to research compliance.
• Manages direct reports (i.e., administrators for IACUC, IRB, IBC/SCRO administrators) including hiring/retaining staff, training, workload, and performance accountability
• Directs administrators responsible for IACUC, IRB, IBC, and other committees and serves as backup and first point of contact for issues for committees
• Audits/monitors unit activities with University policies, applicable laws, rules, and regulations
• Manages/provides expertise for export controls and conflicts of interest protecting the University and participant's rights and welfare with federal/non-federal sponsored research administration
• Manages compliance administration for COI as the institutional expertise in COI matters (e.g., promotes awareness and training of requirements for the disclosure of outside activities and financial interests and for the identification; reviews and manages potential conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment; provides support to Faculty Conflicts Committee (FCC); ensures FCC is supported and staffed; develops COI management plans; ensures monitoring and adherence to management plans)
• Manages export control matters (e.g., creates export control plans and seeks licenses when necessary; runs restricted party screenings; reviews contracts and sponsored research agreements, and research project for conformity with export control regulations; works with inside and outside counsel on matters pertaining to export control regulation; works with HR to conduct the I-129 export control license review process and ensures licenses are in place as necessary, promotes awareness and training for export control)
• Collaborates and manages compliance for export control regulation to plan and seek licenses
• Drafts policies and procedures regarding export control, conflict of interest, and compliance programs for animal use, human participants, and use of recombinant DNA, and other research compliance areas, as directed.
• Collaborates and recommends/develops/drafts new/changes to university policies and procedures
• Works with the AVP on special projects as assigned serving as lead advisor to the AVP for changes in federal policies pertaining to the research compliance programs including for export control, conflict of interest, animal use, human participants, stem cells, and use of recombinant DNA, and other areas of research compliance as directed.
• Manages the electronic research administration systems related to research compliance for annual disclosure or outside interests and financial conflicts of interest and other electronic systems used for research compliance
• Leads training sessions for internal constituencies on research compliance
• Develops process improvement ideas and services to increase effectiveness and efficiencies
• Develops and maintains internal documents, policies, and procedures are current and effective
• Escalates and resolves complex issues of staff, department administrators, and others
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Females/Minorities/Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity