Research Institute Employment

The Executive Director is expected to be a capable, engaging leader able to collaborate alongside faculty, governmental agency, and business leaders as well as nonprofit and civic organizations with diverse research interests, capabilities, and ideologies. The Executive Director accomplishes this while focusing on developing and shaping pre and post award services and staff expertise to be matched with the expertise and capabilities of faculty researchers’ capacity that result in successful project/grant awards.

The primary responsibility of the Executive Director is to develop strategic goals and objectives collaboratively with the Indiana University of Pennsylvania administration to ensure alignment with IUP’s research agenda as detailed in the annually agreed-to “Scope of Work” and “Letter of Understanding.” From these guiding documents, and with input and engagement from staff and the IUP-RI Board of Directors, the Executive Director is expected to develop and implement a comprehensive business plan for the IUP-RI that aligns to and supports a multi-year strategic direction for the attainment of those goals and objectives in the “Scope of Work” and “Letter of Understanding.”

The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing all activities of the organization, including IUP-RI’s internal operations, personnel management, client services, business development, board/community relations including university, businesses, government and community leaders and partners, as well as consultants and subcontractor’s relations.

The Executive Director is expected to manage IUP-RI finance controls, risks, human resource processes, business development, client management, research projects pre/post-award processes, and implementation of processes and procedures to positively guide the success of the organization.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Governance

The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day management of the IUP-RI, working alongside the IUP-RI Board to ensure appropriate governance and management of the overall organization. Facilitate scheduling of IUP-RI Board of Directors meetings. Assist the Board Nominations Committee with recruitment of new board members. Interact and support efforts of independent auditors with the annual audits and successful completion of reports and filings with federal, state, and local audit and tax authorities.

Organizational Management

The mission of the IUP-RI is to advance the research agenda and educational objectives of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and partner institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and to promote greater collaborations across the system. The IUP-RI is a nonprofit organization recognized as federally tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is an affiliate of IUP and governed by a Memorandum of Understanding with IUP as to its mission and services. IUP is considered a doctoral-granting university Tier 2 Carnegie Classification that awards at least 20 research or practice doctorates per year. The IUP-RI provides a full range of research administration services to IUP and six other university campuses within PASSHE.

In FY22/23, the IUP-RI submitted nearly $30 million in proposals and received nearly $20 million in sponsored project awards from a variety of agencies. Top agencies include US Department of Defense, US Department of Labor, Pennsylvania Department of Education, the National Security Agency, the US Department of Commerce, and a plethora of corporate and private foundations.

Community Client Relations

The Executive Director is responsible for external affairs, including growing strong relationships with key stakeholders such as federal, state, and local agencies. Oversee public engagement strategy to grow the IUP-RI services and brand, such as working with media relations in alignment with university goals and achievements, networking with community organizations, speaking engagements supporting successful research awards and delivery of, and meetings to interact and grow relationships with key constituencies. Engage regionally with community stakeholders, including Board members and IUP administration.

Research and Project Development and Oversight

The Executive Director needs to collaborate with staff to cultivate and deliver faculty/client research projects and independent research that contributes to IUP-RI’s mission. The Executive Director must:

• Have a strong understanding of IUP’s research strengths and priorities and the ability to support complex, interdisciplinary research groups.
• Work independently and collaboratively, as well as adaptability to deadlines.
• Prioritization skills with competing timelines and pressure.
• Foster and encourage the expansion of externally funded opportunities by faculty and staff of IUP.
• Provide leadership to the IUP administration and assist with the development, communication, and implementation of the Research Agenda established by IUP.
• Stay abreast of research administration, Uniform Guidance, and agency updates and changes. Execute subcontracts and agreements for services, and review all contract and grant terms and conditions for compliance and consult with legal counsel, as needed.
• Draft policy or procedural changes to ensure best practices and efficient workflows. Policy changes must be reviewed and approved by the board of directors before implementation.
• Serve as primary point of contact for IUP administration and contracted PASSHE institution administrators, on all sponsored research initiatives, proposals, awards, and report data.
• Maintain a strong, professional working relationship with researchers, chairpersons, deans, and administration and interact regularly to ensure positive customer satisfaction.
• Review and provide final approval for all proposals in Kuali ensuring compliance with IUP, IUP-RI, and Uniform Guidance requirements.
• Provide direction, delegate responsibilities and oversight, and leadership to the IUP-RI team to assure achievement of the organization’s mission, vision, goals, and objectives.
• Provide guidance and opportunities to the staff for their professional development, effectively resolve work-related employee issues, and assist subordinates in accomplishing their work-related objectives while simultaneously building a strong team and creating a cooperative and collaborative environment.
• Keep the board of directors informed of the total operation of the IUP-RI and seek board counsel when appropriate.
• Serve as the lead representative of the IUP-RI in all external negotiations and opportunity exploration and represent the IUP-RI at legislative, community, and organizational functions.
• Assure the organization consistently presents a positive and customer-friendly image to all stakeholders.
• Evaluate performance of direct reports and ensure timely and efficient workflows.
• Maintain full and open disclosure and transparency of all IUP-RI finances and operations as would be appropriate for a 501(c)(3) corporation.
• Assure full compliance with all governmental regulations relating to 501(c)(3) corporations and relating to any regulations pertaining to external grants and awards such as Uniform Guidance.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Certification in Research Administration (CRA) with at least five to 10 years demonstrated experience and accomplishments in research administration, including a working knowledge of the federal acquisition regulations and compliance requirements related to Uniform Guidance.
• Experience developing and implementing effective organizational policies and procedures.
• Experience working with a broad variety of funding agencies (federal, state, foundations).
• Ability to read and interpret grantor guidelines for proposal preparation, compliance, submission, and award notices.
• Knowledge of sponsored programs administration (pre- through post-award) and reporting, including experience with online grant portal systems.
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills, including ability to manage multiple projects, delegate effectively, meet deadlines, and facilitate collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
• Extensive experience and knowledge of higher education administration.
• Supervisory, leadership experience, experience with building strong teams who work interdependently, preferably in higher education or nonprofit organization.
• Knowledge of nonprofit organizational models and operations.
• Experience in strategic planning and execution.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral/written communication skills, including a collaborative and initiative-taking approach to working with internal and external stakeholders, accessibility, and timeliness in responding to inquiries, and an ability to clearly communicate grant requirements (pre- and post-award) to researchers and key audiences.
• Travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal degree (PhD, DEd, JD, etc.) from an accredited institution.
• Experience with organizational change and management, nonprofit organizations, fiscal services, research regulatory, and compliance strategies.
• Demonstrated success in fulfilling the research mission of a comparable organization.
• Experience and/or knowledge of the management of computerized information and data management systems.

Physical Requirements

• Sit, stand, move around office and campus; lift up to 20 lbs.

Location and Compensation

• The full-time Executive Director position is based in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The IUP-RI offers a competitive salary and full medical coverage benefit package with dental and vision, currently Highmark blue cross/blue shield; 15 percent employee co-pay; employee and dependents. Retirement plan available, currently 10 percent into 401(k), after one (1) year of service and vested after three (3) years of service.

Diversity Statement

The IUP-RI is an equal opportunity employer. The IUP-RI does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, disability, age, citizenship status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law. The IUP-RI values diversity and is committed to creating a welcoming workplace that attracts and retains a wide variety of talented people with different perspectives and innovative ideas, and that is respectful and inclusive. 

To Apply

Please send résumé and cover letter to rgorman@indianacountypa.gov.

If you wish to have an address to send:

Indiana County Courthouse
Attention: Robin Gorman
825 Philadelphia Street
Indiana, PA 15701

If there is some reason to call:

Please use 724-465-3805 and ask for Robin Gorman, chair of the IUP-RI Executive Director Search.