Chief Research and University Partnerships Officer

Appointment Type: Full-Time Regular

Location: Oak Ridge, TN (Eligible for Partial Telework*)

*Salary Range: $260,000 - $290,000 Base Pay + Incentive

*Telework: This position will be required to work in the office in Oak Ridge, TN multiple days per week

PURPOSE: The Chief Research and University Partnerships Officer (CRUPO) at Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) offers an exciting opportunity to drive innovation and foster collaboration across a vast network of over 150 universities that are part of the ORAU Consortium. The CRUPO oversees alignment of University Partnerships and the Research and University Partnerships Office (RUPO) staff to deliver exceptional research value to ORAU’s University Consortium, Business Units, Subject Matter Experts, and Program Offices. The CRUPO represents ORAU in promoting strategic partnership opportunities to key stakeholders including the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), other federal agencies, private industry, foundations, universities, and other professional organizations. The CRUPO serves as the Institutional Official for ORAU, responsible for safeguarding the integrity of human research, ensuring the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) operates at peak efficiency and guarantees ORAU’s commitment to ethical and compliant research practices.

• Ensures responsibility, accountability, and authority to strengthen ORAU’s Research Enterprise by fostering, monitoring, and advancing a robust research culture and its associated programs. Provides oversight and alignment of the RUPO staff in delivering research value to ORAU’s research enterprise and University Consortium. Leverages expertise in research administration, intellectual property management, technology transfer, and knowledge of funding agencies to strategically develop and strengthen the ORAU research consortium.
• Provides strategic leadership and oversight for ORAU’s University Consortium and the development of its strategic partnerships. This includes the development, direction, and strengthening of University Partnership programs to create collaborative research and education partnerships among universities, federal agencies, national laboratories, and private industry, with an emphasis on enriching research opportunities for ORAU. Facilitates the development of proposals seeking funding opportunities from government agencies and private industry that leverage the combined strength, capabilities, and expertise of our partner institutions in collaboration with ORAU subject matter experts.
• Directs and manages all activities of the RUPO and staff in the planning and administration of higher education programs that serves the University Consortium members such as the Annual Meeting of the Council of Sponsoring Institutions, Ralphe E. Powe Junior Faculty Awards, ORAU Directed Research and Development Program, Innovation Partnership Grants, and other education initiatives that promote professional development opportunities for faculty and students.
• Serves as the ORAU Institutional Official, responsible for ensuring that the Human Research Protection Program functions effectively and that ORAU provides the resources and support necessary to comply with all requirements applicable to research involving human subjects. The CRUPO provides management and oversight of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Manager for ORAU and assists in oversight of the Oak Ridge Sitewide IRB.
• Serves as a voting member of the ORAU Foundation Board and serves as the Liaison and organizer of the ORAU Board Research Committee. Facilitates the organization and activities of the ORAU Council of Sponsoring Institutions, including the development of the program content and communications for the annual meeting.
• Serves as the ORAU Core Liaison to the UT-Battelle, LLC, Core Universities. There are eight universities including ORAU that make up the Core Universities to support the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The Core Universities facilitate the establishment of joint appointments, collaborative research, and graduate student opportunities. The CRUPO serves to represent ORAU and ensure that the company’s role and relationship with ORNL continues to provide mutual benefit.
• Serves as key member of ORAU’s Executive Team, contributing to strategic planning and ensuring the RUPO aligns with and supports ORAU’s overarching strategic goals and priorities.

PhD in scientific, engineering, or education field and 10+ years of related experience required. An equivalent combination of education and experience requiring similar knowledge, skills, abilities, and performing duties as described may be substituted for the minimum requirements.

• Leadership skills and abilities commensurate with position.
• Academic credentials must include a terminal degree, with a preference for science and/or engineering combined with business-related experience.
• Relevant experience in research, education, administration, and marketing gained through a leadership or executive position in higher education, business/industry, public sector, or national laboratories. 
• The CRUPO must exhibit a measurable record of professional success, especially in the implementation of creative/innovative solutions requiring interactive and collaborative research by diverse groups of scientists, engineers, and educators. 
• Experience with research grants, funding procedures and proposal preparation involving government agencies and/or private sector funding sources. Familiarity with not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations.
• Experience with university funding models and research funding sources is essential.
• Experience with intellectual property management and technology transfer is advantageous.
• The CRUPO must have professional credentials and visibility to assure peer recognition with university leadership and ORAU research staff, e.g., ORAU Councilors.
• Must have a stellar track record that highlights superior communication skills (oral and written) including publications, awards, patents, and professional society activity.
• Must be persuasive and effective in influencing individuals and organizations with strong personalities and agendas so as to achieve the maximum positive outcome for all parties.
• Necessary to be conversant in a variety of scientific disciplines and have broad knowledge of science, scientific research, the role of the federal government in R&D, the operation of university research programs, and the activities of federal agencies with a scientific mission.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.
• Some travel is required.

*The candidate’s starting salary will be determined upon hire and ORAU will use salary survey data, internal comparators, and the candidate’s qualifications to determine salary.

TOTAL REWARDS

ORAU has a strategic approach to providing total rewards to employees through a fair, equitable, and competitive total compensation package. The goal of our total rewards system is to integrate compensation, benefits, work-life balance, performance, recognition, development, and career opportunities to attract, engage, and retain the talent required to achieve ORAU’s business objectives.  The benefit component of our total rewards program supports business goals by offering the following benefits based on employee eligibility:

• Legally required benefits
• Group Health insurance including: Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vision
• Retirement plan contribution matching
• Disability insurance
• Group life insurance
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Section 125 reimbursement accounts
• Other voluntary employee paid benefit and insurance offerings

The ORAU total reward package also promotes work-life balance. Mindful of the need for employees to care for themselves and their families, ORAU offers the following additional work-life benefits based on employee eligibility:

• Telework
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Flexible work schedules or compressed work weeks
• Occupational Health and Wellness Programs
• Employee Assistance Program