Associate Vice President for Human Subject Protection

Overview

The University of Rochester seeks an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as its next Associate Vice President for Human Subject Protection (AVP-HSP). Reporting to the University’s Vice President for Research, the Associate Vice President is responsible for all the staff, resources, systems, and policies that enable research involving human subjects, sustaining safety and compliance while advancing knowledge. This in-person role is in Rochester, NY.

The AVP-HSP leads a comprehensive human subject protection program for the University and the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) in support of its mission in education, research, and patient care, and regardless of funding source or research site. Under the leadership of the AVP-HSP, the Office for Human Subject Protect (OHSP), ensures the University protects the rights, welfare, and safety of research participants.

Key functions of the OHSP include Research Subject Review Board (RSRB), Research Education and Training, and Research Quality Improvement. At any given time, there are more than 2,000 active research studies being conducted by approximately 3,000 investigators, across more than 100 departments, centers, and labs at the University and URMC. The AVP-HSP must be forward-thinking and proactive in considering the impact that evolving regulations and external factors may have on University-wide research plans, programs, and operations. They are the University leader in human subject research risk assessment and risk mitigation discussions.

As OHSP is a University-wide resource, the AVP-HSP collaborates with research deans across the University as well as the Office of Research and Project Administration, the Office for Clinical Research, the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, and the Office of General Counsel. Alongside research deans from each school and key members of the Office of the Vice President for Research, the AVP-HSP is a member of the Research Executive Committee.

The AVP-HSP ensures the appropriate staffing and planning for the office. Currently, the office has a full-time professional staff of 14, including four direct reports. The AVP-HSP is responsible for developing the climate and culture of the team that is supportive, inclusive, and equitable for all involved in its work.

The OHSP maintains assurances for: University of Rochester, Highland Hospital, FF Thompson Health System, St. James Hospital, and Nicolas H. Noyes Memorial Hospital. Rochester’s human-subject protection program has been AAHRPP-accredited since 2004.

The AVP-HSP will join the OVPR at a pivotal moment as the University of Rochester embarks on 5-year plan to increase clinical research activity. The AVP-HSP will play a central role in creating policy and evolving infrastructure to support this growth.

Qualifications

The AVP will have well-developed and tested leadership and collaboration qualities, extensive research compliance expertise, and experience working with clinical, translational, and behavioral researchers. They will have the highest level of integrity and will demonstrate a track record of developing, mentoring, and supporting diverse and high-functioning teams.

Successful candidates will bring a track record of effective leadership and collaboration, and will demonstrate:

• Experience with human research compliance, regulatory compliance, and/or IRB administration.
• Experience developing and managing relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with diverse faculty working in a range of research disciplines.
• Demonstrated understanding, and detailed working knowledge of federal regulations and agency guidelines for conducting research and the protection of human subjects.
• The ability to promote and implement activities to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations governing research.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity through research.
• Superb verbal and written communication skills, including ability to constructively resolve conflicts and problem solve.
• Ability to synthesize information from multiple sources to produce succinct, detail-oriented, and accurate documents, policies, reports, and announcements.
• Ability to exercise sound and consistent judgment within a defined process.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to diplomatically navigate complex and sensitive situations.
• Advanced competence utilizing MS Office suite, computerized databases, and other technological products that facilitate effective management.
• Fluency in cloud- or remote-based computer environments and video conferences.
• A commitment to be inclusive, collegial, and open, yet decisive.

Viable candidates will have at least 10 years of directly relevant experience, including in positions in which they had supervisory responsibility. A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree in a field that entails working with human subjects and Certified IRB Professional designation are preferred.

The pay range for this position is $178,474 to $285,558 annually, which represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job’s compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

The full position description can be viewed here.

To Apply

The University of Rochester has retained Opus Partners to support the recruitment of this position. Craig Smith, Partner, and Abigail Maynard, Managing Associate, are leading the search. Confidential inquiries, applications, and nominations should be sent by email to Abigail (abigail.maynard@opuspartners.net). The search process will unfold with the greatest possible attention to candidate confidentiality. Required application materials include a resume and cover letter. The cover letter should reflect how qualifications and experience match those described in this leadership profile, including examples that demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the context of the AVP-HSP role.

The University of Rochester values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for persons regardless of age, color, disability, domestic violence status, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation or any other status protected by law. Further, the University complies with all applicable nondiscrimination laws in the administration of its policies, admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs and activities.