Assistant Vice President for the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects

Overview

The University of Michigan, one of the leading research universities in the world and the top public university in the U.S. for research volume, seeks an inspiring leader and deft administrator to serve as Assistant Vice President for Research–Sponsored Projects (AVP). Operating within the Office of the Vice President for Research, the AVP is responsible for leading all sponsored research activities in support of the research mission of the University. The AVP reports to the Vice President for Research and works closely with key stakeholders across the University to ensure the highest level of service to the U-M research community. This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned research administrator with a keen interest in mentorship, management, and visionary leadership to elevate the Office of Research–Sponsored Projects (ORSP) into a best-in-class operation, ensuring it is recognized across the University and the world as a leading provider of authoritative, innovative, and high-value guidance on the conduct of sponsored research and other externally funded activities.

The University of Michigan (U-M), one of the world’s most powerful engines of scholarly research, service, and impact, has a budget of $10.7 billion, an endowment exceeding $17 billion, and total annual research expenditures of over $1.7 billion. It has 19 top-ranked schools and colleges, and more than 100 doctoral programs ranked in the top ten nationally, along with exceptional law and business schools. With more than 65,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on three campuses, the breadth and scale of intellectual strength is something few public or private institutions can match. U-M will welcome Santa J. Ono as its 15th president in October 2022.

U-M’s sponsored grant volume has doubled over the past decade, and today, ORSP manages the largest grant volume among all U.S. public universities. ORSP oversees pre-award and non-financial post-award activity across this highly complex institution with units that conduct sponsored research, both large and small, across three campuses (Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint) and a medical center. The AVP will strengthen relationships at these and other units across U-M, providing expert counsel regarding regulatory changes and challenges as they arise, guiding stakeholders through interpretation and implementation, and providing excellent service to the research community. Equally important, the AVP will have a keen focus on operations, optimizing systems and processes to ensure the greatest efficiency and capacity within ORSP as U-M’s research enterprise continues to grow. Recognizing that staff members are the most valuable asset, the AVP will foster a welcoming and inclusive culture across a team that is mostly remote, and will create opportunities for people to connect with each other and celebrate individual and team successes.

Ideal candidates will understand that leadership requires self-awareness and a high degree of emotional intelligence, mastery of technical knowledge, and exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills. Significant experience leading and motivating others to embrace the mission and achieve goals is required, as is experience leading a remote team. Ideal candidates will have demonstrated success implementing new policies, procedures, and business processes and have comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of research administration in a complex, decentralized environment.

Please see https://www.imsearch.com/search-detail/8696 for confidential inquiries, referrals, nominations, and applications.

Daniel Rodas is leading this search with Jean Jacoby.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The University will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, or marital status. Further, the University, through its employment practices and procedures recruits and employs qualified personnel for all of its diverse activities and at all of its facilities. The University provides equal opportunities before and during employment by administering each and every phase of its personnel program without regard to race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, or marital status.

Contact Information

Company
Isaacson Miller on behalf of the University of Michigan
First Name
Daniel
Last Name
Rodas
Address
Phone
617-262-6500
Contact Email
drodas@imsearch.com
Contact URL

Background Information

Education
4-Year Degree
Years of Experience
Industries
  • College/University
Categories
  • Compliance
  • Finance, Operations
  • Government
  • Grants and Contracts
  • Institutional Review Board
  • Research Administrator/Manager
  • Sponsored Projects/Programs
Work Authorization
Security Clearance
None

Target Job Information

Salary
Job Type
  • Full Time