Assistant Vice President for Research, Compliance

Department: Office for Research
Salary/Grade: EXS/17

Job Summary:

The Assistant Vice President for Research, Compliance (AVP), reporting directly to the Chief Research Operations Officer (CROO), is a key member of the senior leadership team in Northwestern University's Office for Research (OR) and plays a leadership role on cross-functional teams navigating research compliance and regulatory matters with broad institutional impact. The AVP is responsible for overseeing and ensuring the efficient and effective operations of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Office, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Office, and the Research Integrity Office. In addition, the AVP will work collaboratively with the University's Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM) to oversee key operational and administrative functions and ensure regulatory compliance with CCM animal operations. The AVP will provide guidance to the Conflict-of-Interest Office on research-related policy, procedures and emergent matters.

This position requires frequent interactions with other OR leaders as well as key partners across other University offices. The AVP also engages with agencies, contractors, and peers outside of Northwestern. These critical interpersonal functions mandate on-campus, in-person presence at least three days a week.

In addition to providing operational oversight of the specified areas of responsibility, the AVP advises the CROO on developments, particularly at the federal level, related to evolving ethical and regulatory requirements to align strategy for research compliance operations while maintaining delivery of outstanding service to Northwestern's research community.

Additionally, as the University provides human research, animal research, and conflict of interest administrative support to the University's clinical affiliates (Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago/Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute), the AVP is actively engaged in building and maintaining relationships with these entities.

Through service on various University committees, including Research Compliance, IRB Chairs, IACUC (ex-officio), Conflict of Interest Oversight, Feinberg School of Medicine Conflict of Interest, the AVP influences policy and process, building consensus and consistency in coordination with other units and schools.

The Assistant Vice President for Research will support the OR mission and values of understanding empathy, modeling accountability, ensuring fairness, embracing community, and valuing creativity

Specific Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Collaborate with the Vice President for Research (VPR), the CROO, other AVPs and unit directors in OR to create a collegial and mutually reinforcing management team in alignment with the OR Values.
• Understand and keep abreast of federal and state regulatory environments and University policies relating to all reporting areas to ensure the VPR, CROO and senior leadership are apprised of research regulatory issues and significant new developments.
• Support cross-functional initiatives in pursuit of the university's research mission through leadership and participation in workgroups focused on regulatory compliance topics and other strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with the University's central compliance function, escalating issues and regulatory changes that may have broader impact. Represent Office for Research on the University's Compliance Committee.
• Collaborate with schools and units across the University, addressing areas of concern and enhancing support for the research enterprise.

Operational Responsibilities for Reporting Units

• Provide leadership and guidance to the IRB Office, IACUC Office, and the Research Integrity Office, ensuring they are structured and resourced to provide efficient and effective support to the research community in compliance with regulatory and legal obligations.
• Responsible for the appropriate functioning of the University's Human Research Protection Program (HRPP).
• Responsible for the appropriate functioning of the University's IACUC and animal oversight program.
• Responsible for the oversight and functioning of the Research Integrity Office and ensuring that all regulatory requirements are being adhered to across all research entities. Ensure appropriate reporting to federal agencies.
• CCM is a unit of more than 140 staff members including veterinarians, technicians, and other staff who provide training, operational resources and support services for animal research protocols. The CCM leader directly reports to a faculty Associate Vice President for Research, with a "dotted line" report to the AVP for Compliance for additional support on the administrative aspects of CCM.
• The COI Office directly reports to the university's Assistant Vice President for Risk & Compliance, with a "dotted line" report to the AVP for Compliance to provide guidance on research-related COI policy, procedures and emergent matters; over 90% of COI matters are within the research context. The research COI program covers >4,000 active Investigators on >10,000 projects. Projects include sponsored research agreements, grants, and protocols for research involving human participants submitted to the IRB Office.
• Ensure the units have robust electronic systems to support the university's research enterprise.

Policy Guidance and Coordination

• Provide guidance to and consult with reporting unit Directors on relevant policies to ensure alignment with best practices in enabling the research enterprise. Provide oversight on new policies, policy interpretation and revisions when needed.
• Influence policy and process through service on various University committees, including Research Compliance, IRB Chairs, IACUC (ex-officio), Conflict of Interest Oversight, Feinberg School of Medicine Conflict of Interest. Build consensus and consistency in coordination with other units and schools.

Collaboration and Community

• Actively engage in building and maintaining relationships with the clinical affiliates to which the University provides research support: Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago/Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute.
• Engage at the national level on matters relating to areas of responsibility through professional meetings and national forums.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 10 years of experience in a research or regulatory environment, particularly in compliance and research administration.

• Advanced degree (e.g., MA, MS, JD, PhD).

• Effective leadership and management skills, with ability to develop staff while delegating authority and responsibility.

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations, and the ability to interpret those requirements to a broad range of audiences.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, analytical and organizational skills.

• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of internal and external constituencies, including faculty members, staff across the University, students and oversight agencies.

• Ability to maintain a working environment characterized by effective teamwork and collaboration with peers.

• A deep appreciation of and respect for academic values and culture and an understanding of the critical role that basic and translational research plays in sustaining and broadening the intellectual rigor of an elite research university.

• Commitment to high ethical standards.

• The ability to manage confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A demonstrated track record of effective leadership in higher education.

• Experience with federal oversight agencies and officials at those agencies.

• Ability to translate complex and abstract regulatory and legal requirements into practical guidance.

• Experience interfacing with various and overlapping components of the research compliance organization within the University.

• Excellent social skills.

• A high level of confidence, with just as high a level of intellectual and interpersonal flexibility.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $240,000-$290,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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