Johns Hopkins University seeks a seasoned senior executive with demonstrated success in both high-level strategic planning and day-to-day execution within a large research-intensive university, preferably one with an academic medical center. Reporting jointly to the Vice Provost for Research and the Vice Provost and Chief Risk Officer, the Sr. Associate Vice Provost for Research Operations (SAVPRO) is responsible for oversight of a cohesive and flexible team that supports faculty and research staff in conducting externally funded research and scholarly activity. The SAVPRO will also be a partner in shaping the research strategy and execution for Johns Hopkins.

The SAVPRO will work collaboratively across the research enterprise to contribute to advancing improvements and efficiencies in Research Administration and the Animal Care and Use Program offices, ensuring high-touch, service-oriented cultures for both organizations. The position will be responsible for operations at both SOM’s Office of Research Administration (ORA) and JHURA, with the expectation that over time, the work of these two organizations will be steadily harmonized and work effectively as a single organization by the end of 2025. Working in concert with other senior leaders, the SAVPRO will also ensure compliance through the implementation of effective processes, transparent, open communication, and delivery of proactive, user-friendly customer service. In doing so, they will provide strategic leadership while creating a working environment that rewards new ideas and innovation, builds collaborations, encourages and nurtures teamwork, and promotes diversity.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership and Program Development

• Support a culture of research and research operations excellence, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration across departments, schools, and external partners.
• Develop and implement best-in-class policies that enhance research capabilities, ensuring Hopkins remains at the forefront of global research.
• Foster an environment where outstanding service and compliance coexist harmoniously.
• Exercise high-level strategic planning and day-to-day execution seamlessly.
• Build bridges across organizational units and motivate individuals at all levels to support overall department, university, and agency compliance objectives.
• Support and develop research talent across the university by mentoring faculty, staff, and students involved in research activities.
• Recommend changes to unit processes, as appropriate, to increase efficiencies and foster an environment of continuous improvement in all aspects of operation.

Research Administration

• Create and implement a detailed, phased harmonization plan that maintains current service levels within ORA and JHURA and results in a merged, single entity by December 2025.
• Lead transformational change by creating unified service metrics and excellent working relationships between research administration staff in central, divisional, and other support units.
• Ensure that research administration activities and systems align with the institution’s mission and goals, while managing resources, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Recruit, develop, and retain top research administration talent to support the institution's research goals.
• Lead efforts to enhance research infrastructure and support the growth of research initiatives across the organization, including efforts to increase external funding through grants, contracts, and industry partnerships.
• Provide strategic oversight and administrative support across Johns Hopkins’ extensive research portfolio, significantly contributing to a tradition of interdisciplinary excellence.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with federal agencies, industry partners, philanthropic organizations, and other external stakeholders.
• In collaboration with IT@JH, convene a Research Administration IT advisory committee with representatives from JHU, JHM, and JHHS that will be aligned with overall IT governance. This committee will be responsible for advising the IT Strategy Executive Council of responsible decision makers for IT across the university (e.g., Provost, EVPFA, JHM Dean/CEO, JHHS President, and CIO).

Research Animal Resources (RAR)

• Partner with the Institutional Official for the Animal Care and Use Program to oversee the operation of RAR.
• Help ensure animal welfare and compliance with regulations and accreditation standards, while also supporting the research objectives of the institution.
• Partner with the RAR Administrator to create financial models to forecast future expenditures and revenues for RAR.
• Support the development and implementation of appropriate service center cost rates for animal husbandry, veterinary services, and other related costs.
• Analyze historical financial data to identify trends and opportunities for cost savings or improvements in operational efficiency.
• Manage upgrades and renovations for all physical space occupied by RAR.
• Serve as a liaison between RAR staff, including veterinarians, and investigators.
• Promote continuing education and professional development opportunities for animal care personnel.

Compliance

• Partner with the university’s Chief Compliance Officer and the Associate Vice Provost for Research Compliance to ensure that the university's research activities comply with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements related to research.
• Foster a compliant environment by staying abreast of changes in agency regulations, requirements, and policies, and by disseminating agency information.
• Advise faculty on compliance with policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.
• Conduct assessments to help ensure adherence to institutional research standards and compliance guidelines.

Financial Management

• Develop and maintain financial controls to measure performance, to reduce costs through innovative actions, to measure resource commitments against needs, and to ensure that spending patterns are within acceptable limits.
• Oversee the annual budget and expenditures for Research Administration and Research Animal Resources.
• Produce a flexible budget model and business plan for developing and allocating resources to achieve goals and objectives that align with the university’s resources.
• Advocate for research and research operations funding during the university’s budgeting processes, ensuring alignment of resources with strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with departmental finance teams to handle funding disbursement, budget forecasts, and financial reporting.
• Oversee procurement of high-level research materials, equipment, and services while negotiating vendor contracts when necessary.

Communication and Reporting

• Work collaboratively, fostering transparent, open communication and inclusive community-building.
• Forge exemplary working relationships across research administration and other research operations, enhancing a collaborative culture that engages faculty, students, and staff in groundbreaking research endeavors.
• Exhibit clarity and conciseness of verbal and written communications and a confident and reassuring communication style.
• Communicate the benefits of new procedures or systems in a tactful, compelling way which gains buy-in and support from senior administrators and academic leaders in both divisional and central units.
• Demonstrate persuasive presentation skills and political acumen in communicating and interpreting University and agency policies and procedures to large campus communities.
• Exercise tactful communication and negotiation skills in mediating conflicts between business and regulatory requirements, to control the campus exposure to risk.

• Represent Johns Hopkins and participates in national and international forums related to research operations.

Human Resources and Staff Management

• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Promote quality customer service, administrative innovation, respect for colleagues, teamwork, and open channels of communication.
• Establish standard operating procedures for service delivery; develops and monitors internal performance metrics to ensure high levels of service and accomplishment of objectives.
• Evaluate staffing needs and attracts, retains, and develops a high-functioning team.
• Establish daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual priorities and assign work within the departments to ensure that university and other regulatory requirements have been met.
• Mentor AVPs and director-level staff on fiscal compliance, management and planning, and communications to build skill sets that enable trust for the delegation of responsibilities.
• Attend training/workshops toward present and future career development, participate in general staff meetings and contribute to the implementation of special projects when assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Lead a dedicated team of 65+ FTEs (ORA and JHURA).

Budget Authority

• Will have direct budget authority over ORA and JHURA. Serve as the Institutional Official (as delegated by the President) in all pre-award and non-financial post-award grants and contracts management areas, including signature authority on all proposals, awards, contracts, and other documents related to sponsored research administration.

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Fifteen (15) year's experience required.

• Terminal Degree from an accredited institution required.
• Established subject matter expert, 10+ years’ experience in the specialized field of research operations.
• 7+ years’ supervisory experience including management of remote and hybrid staff.
• Highest level of professional and personal integrity.
• Proven track record leading research administration within a large, complex university (ideally one with an academic medical center) coupled with a broad and deep knowledge of federal, state, and private funding sources as well as regulatory compliance.
• Possess the vision, creativity, and ability to encourage people to be innovative problem solvers while still maintaining a highly compliant environment.
• Experience in, and appreciation for, a university’s academic environment; the governance structure, roles, and relationships of faculty, staff, and students; and the diverse needs for operational support.
• Demonstrated understanding of academic research funding with a sophisticated grasp of the changing funding landscape.
• Thorough understanding of and commitment to best practices within research administration and compliance.
• Demonstrated experience in leading change management.
• Values empathy, models accountability, ensures fairness, embraces community, and values diversity and creativity.
• Graduate Degree.

Classified Title: Sr. Associate Vice Provost 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Sr. Associate Vice Provost for Research Operations   
Role/Level/Range: ADMOFF/01/EX  
Starting Salary Range: Commensurate with Experience 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus 
Department name: ​​​​​​​Vice Provost Research Office of  
Personnel area: University Administration