Chief Research Operations Officer
Georgia Institute of Technology invites nominations and applications for the Chief Research Operations Officer.
Reporting to the Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR), the Chief Research Operations Officer (CROO) plays a pivotal leadership role in advancing Georgia Tech’s research operations. The CROO oversees Research Integrity Assurance, Research Administration, Research Operations/Infrastructure, and Research Development within the Office of the EVPR. As a key member of the EVPR’s leadership team and deputy to the EVPR, the CROO contributes to shaping and implementing the Institute’s Strategic Plan while driving its research vision, mission, and goals.
The CROO will act as deputy to the EVPR, providing strategic direction, oversight, and representation in internal and external contexts, with specific oversight of:
- The Office of Sponsored Programs - responsible for the review and interpretation of contract and grant requirements (3,000+ proposals annually), determination of appropriate terms and conditions, and establishment of pre-contract agreements as well as the monitoring of all active contracts and grants, including modification of existing agreements.
- The Office of Research Development - provides strategic and practical support for the planning, development, and launch of large-scale sponsored research projects. These projects typically include the formation of a center or institute with multiple functions, engagement of teams that span disciplines and institutions, and proposed budgets greater than $10 million.
- The Office of Research Integrity Assurance - works with faculty oversight committees and boards to promote the ethical conduct of research and to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements relating to research involving human subjects, vertebrate animal subjects, rDNA, synthetic nucleic acids, and dual-use research of concern research. The committees supported by this office include the Institutional Review Board, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, the Institutional Biosafety Committee, and the Institutional Review Entity.
- The Office of Research Operations and Infrastructure - oversees the facilitation and support of research across campus and is responsible for a variety of principal investigator (PI)-facing activities within the research enterprise, including internally funded research programs. Additional oversight includes research space, core facilities, research computing and data, and contributions to policies related to research administration and operations.
In addition, the CROO will:
- Collaborate with executive, administrative, research, and academic leaders to align research initiatives with Georgia Tech’s strategic priorities.
- Lead efforts to articulate and execute a forward-looking research strategy consistent with the Institute Strategic Plan and Research Next.
- Inspire and guide a high-performing leadership team to thrive in a dynamic research environment.
- Represent Georgia Tech in national and global discussions on research policy, operations, and administration.
This role is central to ensuring the success of Georgia Tech’s research enterprise, fostering innovation, integrity, and excellence.
Qualified candidates will have a demonstrated track record of success in leadership with at least 10 years of experience in leading research operations and administration and transforming operational infrastructure within a higher education academic environment, national lab, hospital, corporate research organization, or, other related organization. In addition, the candidate will:
- Possess deep knowledge of issues in higher education, university research, and research culture
- Demonstrate strong advocacy for research, faculty, staff, and students.
- Understand academic and research faculty, their motivations, and their challenges.
- Bring experience managing the operations of a comparable research center or program.
- Display a high level of organization and attention to detail.
- Approach research operations/infrastructure in an innovative and imaginative manner.
- Implement a sustainable and scalable structure to support the institution’s current portfolio and the projected rapid growth.
A bachelor's degree and a minimum of 10 years of substantial, proven experience in research operations are required. To qualify for a faculty position, candidates must hold a terminal degree in a relevant field.
Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 50,000 students through top ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted $1.37 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school.
Georgia Tech has retained Korn Ferry, a national executive recruiting firm, to assist with this search. The search is led by Victoria Antolini and Anna Flagg. All nominations, inquiries, and application materials should be submitted in confidence to Korn Ferry. Korn Ferry will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. Please direct all applications, nominations, and inquiries for the position to the search firm at the contact information below:
GeorgiaTech-CROO@KornFerry.com
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Georgia Tech fosters a fair and respectful environment. Prohibiting discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and other protected classes, we adhere to federal and state laws, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy. Our commitment to core values ensures a workplace free from discriminatory practices, promoting integrity, excellence, accountability, and respect.
