Description

The Office of Research at Washington State University (WSU) is responsible for advancing the research enterprise at WSU systemwide. The Office of Research facilitates all aspects of the research from pre-award to compliance, advancement, development, and commercialization. The Office of Research amplifies WSU's land-grant mission by partnering with the university community, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to advance, extend, and grow the positive impact of WSU research for the state, region, and nation. 

The Director of Statewide Campuses Research Advancement plays a central role in implementing and advancing Washington State University’s (WSU) research strategy across all statewide campuses. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Research Advancement & Strategy and serving as a liaison to statewide campus leadership with a dotted line to the EVP for Statewide Campuses.  This position is responsible for leading efforts to harmonize research activities and needs across WSU’s statewide campuses in Everett, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver—ensuring that distinctive campus strengths are preserved while being strategically connected to build a more coordinated, competitive, vibrant and visible research ecosystem. 

This role facilitates alignment of research strategies, infrastructure, compliance and faculty engagement across campuses to support major interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary initiatives, strategic events, institutional research goals, and innovation and entrepreneurship programs in priority areas such as energy and environment, biofuels, sustainable aviation, agriculture, health, and emerging technologies. 

The Director serves as a primary connector between campuses, the Office of Research, and other institutional partners including External Affairs and Government Relations to expand participation in large-scale proposals, enhance research competitiveness, and amplify WSU’s statewide impact through a cohesive statewide research ecosystem consistent with the Office of Research mission to advance research from development through partnerships and impact, this role emphasizes system integration, place-based strengths, and collaborative growth across Washington. 

This role will require extensive in-state travel, including between WSU Campuses.

 Job Functions:

• 25% Statewide Research Strategy Integration
• 25% Cross-Campus Collaboration and Initiative Development
• 20% Research Capacity Building Across Campuses
• 10% Communication, Coordination, and Systems Alignment
• 10% Strategic Planning, Evaluation, and Reporting
• 5% Leadership and Supervision
• 5% Other

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Position require a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and six (6) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, which has included at least three (3) years of managerial experience. Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a yearforyear basis. A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience. Education and experience can be tailored to fit the specific organizational entity/directorial assignment.
• Demonstrated experience working in complex, multi-unit or multi-campus environments.
• Experience supporting interdisciplinary and multi-institutional research initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and foundation funding and compliance landscapes.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.
• Must be able to travel extensively throughout the state.
   

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field and six (6) years of progressively responsible experience, including at least three (3) years of managerial experience (or equivalent combination of education/experience). 
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in research development, research administration, or related field.
• Experience at a land-grant or Research 1 university with a distributed campus system.
• Experience advancing research in priority domains such as energy, environment, agriculture, or advanced technologies.
• Demonstrated success facilitating cross-unit collaboration and organizational alignment.
• Experience designing and leading strategic initiatives across geographically distributed teams.