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Senior Associate Vice President for Research

Texas Tech University
United States, Texas, Lubbock
Apr 21, 2025
Lubbock Senior Associate Vice President for Research 40857BR VP Research Position Description The Senior Associate Vice President is a key member of the university's leadership team, providing strategic direction and operational oversight to support Texas Tech University's mission. This role involves high-level administrative responsibilities, cross-functional leadership, and the implementation of policies and programs that drive institutional excellence and operational efficiency. About the University Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School. The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world. About Lubbock:Referred to as the "Hub City" because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock's Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories. About the Department and/or College Led by Joseph A. Heppert, PhD, Vice President for Research & Innovation, the Office of Research & Innovation (OR&I) serves as a resource to all faculty members and offers guidance at every step of the research process, from finding funding to taking technology to market. Research and innovation are supported by several offices under the OR&I, including the Office of Research Services, the Office of Research Development & Communications, the Office of Responsible Research, Environmental Health & Safety, the Office of Research Commercialization, the Innovation Hub at Research Park and more. To view the full organizational chart for the OR&I, please visit this link. Research at OR&I is on an upward trajectory, with a 126% increase in federal awards since 2018. In FY2024 Texas Tech reached a university record of $257 million in total research expenditures, including $83.5 million in federal awards. Additionally, passage of the Texas University Fund (TUF), a $3.9 billion endowment established by the Texas Legislature, provides approximately $60 million annually to Texas Tech to invest in growing its research enterprise. Current and emerging research emphases include water sustainability, human biology, materials science, microchip manufacturing, food safety and security, cyber-physical national security, biomaterials, severe weather, crop genomics and energy innovation. Thus, the University has a tremendous opportunity to expand its contributions to regional, state, and national economic vitality, security, and quality of life. Through intentional investments in the research enterprise, Texas Tech aims to meet the rigorous research benchmarks set by institutions in the Association of American Universities. Major/Essential Functions The Senior Associate Vice President for Research (SAVP) is an important leader in the research, scholarship and creative activities of the University. This position is responsible for the oversight and strategic direction of University Recognized Research Centers and Institutes and provides leadership and stewardship to support the research mission of the University. The SAVP works strategically to support Texas Tech faculty, students, and staff researchers, increase federal sponsored project funding, and help the institution achieve its ambitious research goals. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Research & Innovation (VPR&I), the SAVP is supported by two Executive Directors - one focused on Research and Innovation and the other on building Strategic Research Partnerships - and an Executive Associate. The directors of nine research centers and institutes report to the SAVP: Center for Biotechnology & Genomics Free Market Institute Global Laboratory for Energy Asset Management & Manufacturing Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance National Wind Institute Institute for Materials, Manufacturing, and Sustainment Institute for Sustainability and Circular Economy Center of Excellence in Obesity and Cardiometabolic Research Texas Tech Neuroimaging Institute Additionally, two research institutes that report directly to the VPR&I, the Critical Infrastructure Security Institute and the Institute for One Health Innovation, have dotted line reporting to the SAVP. As a key steward of the University's research mission, the SAVP will provide broad strategic oversight and support to these Research Centers and Institutes, including those that report directly to the Vice President of Research & Innovation. The key responsibilities for the SAVP include: Research Strategy Assisting in executing the University's Strategic Research Plan. Aiding in allocating research investment funds for current and new strategic initiatives, consistent with the Texas Tech's identified strategic research priorities. Identifying potential targets for strategic faculty recruitment. Identifying new research opportunities to maximize the impact of the Texas Tech research enterprise. Establishing dialogues with OR&I's Faculty Research Advisory Council and Associate Deans for Research to monitor and promote College and institutional research goals. Collaborating with University leadership to identify policy and procedural changes that promote Texas Tech research. Promoting the institutional strategic research plan and the accomplishments of faculty, staff and students both internally and to external stakeholders and partners, exemplifying the University's commitment to research and innovation. Required Qualifications The VPR&I and university stakeholders anticipate and appreciate that each candidate will possess strengths in different measures. Nonetheless, the successful candidate will bring a majority of the following qualities to the role: A strategic and global perspective about the university research mission. Demonstrated administrative experience, including budget and people management (examples include, but are not limited to, having served as a chair of a major department, an associate dean for research, and/or a center/institute director). Understanding of faculty needs related to research, and capacity to support faculty efforts. Ability to work collaboratively within a large management team. Strong management, interpersonal, and communication skills, including the ability to work well with senior OR&I staff (non-faculty) as colleagues. Ability to evaluate, refine, and grow the Texas Tech research enterprise, positioning Texas Tech to achieve its goal of AAU status. Openness to engagement with and willingness to learn about different disciplines, departments, and Colleges at Texas Tech. Demonstrated experience in effectively organizing and managing large projects. A flexible mindset, with the ability to evaluate what is working and what is not, and to pivot when necessary. The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. (or equivalent academic degree) and five years of demonstrated academic leadership experience. In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to support sensitive strategic research initiatives, including those involving projects regulated under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). As such, the candidate must be able to work in environments subject to these regulations, either currently meeting, or actively working to meet, the requirements as specified by the relevant project sponsors. It is anticipated that the SAVP will have a 10% appointment as a tenured full professor in an academic department within Texas Tech in alignment with candidate-specific qualifications. Preferred Qualifications The following qualifications are preferred: STEM background. Prior experience at an R1 and/or AAU member institution. Strong record of competitive extramural funding, faculty mentoring, interdisciplinary scholarship, and leadership. Experience addressing research administration and compliance issues in a complex organization; ability to balance federal, state, and local regulations with practical needs and limitations. Experience leading multidisciplinary institutional centers or institutes. Experience in leading interdisciplinary research initiatives and developing successful international research partnerships. Experience with private-public partnerships, multiple federal, private sector, and philanthropic granting agencies. Safety Information Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees. Occasional Duties Major Essential Functions Continued Research Centers and Institutes Directly overseeing the operations of existing centers and institutes placed under the VPR&I, including assisting with the development and oversight of budgets and staffing of these centers and institutes. Meeting regularly with center and institute directors who report directly to the Office of Research & Innovation. Leading the development of new centers and institutes that support the University's research mission, when needed. Conducting annual performance reviews of the centers and institutes, including but not limited to review of center and institute leadership. Enhancing Funding Working to obtain research support from federal agencies, the private sector, and philanthropic partners. Facilitating collaboration between Texas Tech faculty and research teams, and external partners, focusing on federal opportunities. Additional Responsibilities Serving as Officer in Charge (OIC) when the VPR&I is unavailable. Representing the VPR&I in meetings, when needed. Organizing seminars and dialogues that enhance internal, inter-institutional, and private sector partnerships. Does this position work in a research laboratory? Yes Special Instructions to Applicants Texas Tech University has retained Opus Partners to support this recruitment. Katie Dean, Partner, Ann K. Adams, Associate Partner, and KD Sweaney, Senior Associate, are leading the search. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be submitted by email to KD Sweaney at kd.sweaney@opuspartners.net. The search process will unfold with the greatest possible attention to candidate confidentiality. Required application materials include a resume and cover letter by May 30, 2025. Required Attachments Cover Letter, Resume / CV Job Type Full Time Pay Basis Monthly Pay Statement Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan. For additional information, please reference the institutional pay plan by visiting www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/payplan. Travel Required Up to 25% Shift Day Grant Funded? No Job Group Executive Administration EEO Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.