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The City University of New York (CUNY) is seeking an ambitious and collaborative research compliance professional to serve as its next University Executive Director for Research Integrity & Compliance. This dynamic leadership role, based in the CUNY Office of Research, will report to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and steer the University system’s research compliance enterprise, encompassing 25 colleges and schools with diverse missions, sizes, and compliance requirements. The University Executive Director will help set a vision for the next chapter of the CUNY compliance landscape to safeguard the institution, build consensus and trust among stakeholders, and nurture a supportive culture of compliance system-wide.

The oversight and agenda-setting mandate of the University Executive Director spans the full range of research compliance topics in higher education, but particular emphasis will be placed on the following key areas: Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR); Human Research Protection Program (HRPP); Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment (COI/COC); and Sponsored Research Compliance.

Specific duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Supervises, empowers, and evaluates the entire staff of the Research Integrity & Compliance division within the Office of Research. Manages the division budget and operations in collaboration with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research.
• Provides guidance and assistance to CUNY's Integrated Institutional Review Boards (CUNY UI-IRBs) and campus Human Research Protection Programs (HRPPs) to ensure robust compliance with University policy and procedures, as well as state, local, and federal regulations.
• Oversees the design of supportive education in all areas of research compliance, with a focus on training module strategies for University-wide delivery.
• Leads the monitoring of evolving federal and New York State regulations pertaining to all aspects of RCR, COI/COC, research integrity, protection of research subjects, export controls, and biosafety; and steers recommendations of University policy creation or amendment to ensure full compliance.
• Collaborates with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research in overseeing CUNY's RCR and COI regulation programs, including receiving and reviewing COI disclosures and making recommendations.
• Serves as the University's Research Integrity Officer (RIO) with oversight of the University's Disposition of Allegations of Research Misconduct policy, procedures, and investigations.
• Oversees renewals of assurances and communications with federal and accrediting agencies.
• Represents university leadership at regional and national professional and academic meeting on the full range of compliance topics.
• Guides and advises University-wide faculty and administrators on regulatory requirements related to research, in collaboration with the Office of the General Counsel and other intersecting teams.
• Performs other University compliance leadership duties as assigned.

NOTE:

Until further notice, this is a hybrid position, eligible to work remotely and work in the office.

Candidates will be required to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon commencing employment. Exemption (medical or religious) requests to this requirement will be considered in accordance with applicable law. Being fully vaccinated is defined for this purpose as being at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. Final candidates must be fully vaccinated as of their first day of employment.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree and eight years' relevant experience required.

The ideal candidate will also possess the following experience, knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Five years of managerial-level research compliance experience at federally funded organizations
• Master’s degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Relevant compliance certification(s) such as Certified IRB Professional (CIP) preferred
• Thorough knowledge of federal research compliance regulations, including human and animal subjects, responsible conduct of research, and export control
• Deep understanding of operational requirements of Institutional Review Boards, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees, and Institutional Biosafety Committees
• Experience developing and communicating research compliance policies to constituent users at various levels (leadership, administrators, researchers)
• Ability to comfortably navigate a complex multi-campus environment while spearheading compliance issue resolution
• Experience and readiness to lead a dynamic research compliance staff team
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills, and superb independent decision-making ability