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Location: Raleigh, NC
Essential Job Duties:
As the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Strategy & Programs, you will provide strategic leadership for the Research Strategy & Programs unit within the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI). Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Initiatives, you will advance NC State's research priorities by strengthening early-stage concept development, strategic research planning, and alignment with emerging federal priorities. You will lead research development activities that support cross-university individuals and teams, coordinate research strategy and federal engagement efforts within ORI, and assist with the coordination and oversight of Centers and Institutes administered by ORI. Working closely with the Associate Vice Chancellor, Proposal Development Unit, colleges, centers, and institutes, you will help advance institutional research priorities and strengthen the university's competitiveness for research opportunities.
Essential Job Duties:
Research Strategy & Programs Leadership
- Lead strategic planning and concept development for the Research Strategy & Programs unit, with a focus on institutional research priorities, emerging federal priorities, and high-impact research opportunities.
- Direct the unit's strategic research development and federal engagement activities, ensuring coordination with ORI priorities and university research strategy.
- Lead and support staff responsible for research development, federal engagement, and proposal readiness activities.
- Establish priorities and coordinate activities across ORI divisions, colleges, centers, and institutes to advance institutional research goals.
- Monitor and analyze emerging federal research priorities, multi-agency initiatives, and funding opportunities to identify areas of strategic opportunity for NC State.
- Guide development of competitive research concepts, teams, and strategies in high-impact and emerging research areas.
- Partner with colleges, centers, and institutes to strengthen research concepts and align institutional capabilities with federal priorities and sponsor expectations.
- Coordinate with the Proposal Development Unit to connect strategic research planning with proposal development and institutional positioning.
- Advance cross-university coordination of strategic research initiatives involving ORI divisions, colleges, centers, and institutes.
- Support the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Initiatives in coordinating and overseeing activities for Centers and Institutes administered by ORI.
- Contribute to enterprise-level planning and strategic alignment for ORI-affiliated Centers and Institutes.
- Represent the Research Strategy & Programs portfolio in institutional planning, working groups, and ORI-wide strategic initiatives.
- Build relationships with faculty, research leaders, and external partners to identify and advance strategic research opportunities.
- Communicate federal priorities, institutional research strengths, and emerging opportunities to internal and external stakeholders.
- Develop and contribute to briefings, presentations, and other materials supporting research strategy, federal engagement, and institutional priorities.
- Represent the unit in meetings and discussions with internal and external stakeholders as delegated by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Initiatives
Other Work/Responsibilities:
In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the Office of Research and Innovation's mission and institutional research priorities.
Minimum Experience/Education:
- Master's degree in a relevant field and significant experience in research execution, administration, strategic research development, federal research engagement, or related areas.
- Demonstrated experience leading research strategy, program development, or large-scale research initiatives in a university, federal, or research-intensive environment.
Required Qualifications:
- Demonstrated ability to lead strategic planning and research development activities.
- Knowledge and understanding of federal research priorities, sponsor expectations, and emerging research domains.
- Previous experience supervising professional staff and managing unit-level operations.
- Ability to effectively communicate complex research strategies and priorities, collaborate across organizational levels, and build productive stakeholder relationships.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Doctoral degree in a relevant field.
- Demonstrated experience leading research strategy, program development, or large-scale research initiatives in a university, federal, or research-intensive environment.
- Experience supporting or leading large-scale federal proposals or multi-agency initiatives as a staff or faculty member.
- Familiarity with advanced technology research domains (e.g., advanced manufacturing, advanced materials, quantum, AI, defense and security).
Required License or Certification:
N/A
AA/EEO Statement:
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
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