"Associate Vice President, Research Initiatives and Development"

Job Description Summary

The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by February 28, 2026. Applications received after February 28, 2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Vice President, Research Initiatives and Development is responsible for strategic direction and growth of URI's research ecosystem. Reporting to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, work closely with other members of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development's leadership team to facilitate a service-oriented leadership culture that benefits URI and its faculty, cultivating a culture of collaboration while providing leadership and strategic direction for URI's research to flourish. Work and provide support and counsel to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development and senior leaders on matters of strategic, operational, and tactical importance. Work closely with college research leadership and URI's government relations team to identify areas of strategic research growth and alignment with URI's strategic plan. Ensure that various groups and stakeholders are aligned and working in concert to achieve shared goals and objectives. Display a deep understanding of today's complex academic research and innovation environment and funding landscape. Cultivate professional relationships with faculty and institutional leaders and be an effective thought partner in organizing diverse and inclusive research teams, engaging external partners, and developing management and outreach plans to capitalize on funding opportunities while ensuring services meet the research community's needs and align with university priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement strategies to facilitate close collaboration with faculty and administrative staff for grant submissions, particularly for large interdisciplinary and center grants.
• Direct strategy for communicating information about research funding opportunities to the university research community.
• Support the role of the University as a convener of stakeholders to define and explore vital and emerging societal challenges.
• Develop and implement a service model to support major URI research initiatives.
• Develop and implement a strategy to create and pursue targeted external funding opportunities for research strengths and interests at the University, including by working with URI's government relations team.
• Direct strategy for URI's external research relations and web presence, in collaboration with External Relations and Communications.
• Support and develop research partnerships with federal, state, and local governments, foundations, industry, the entrepreneurial community, and other non-governmental entities, including community groups.
• Develop and support partnerships with a broad spectrum of educational institutions including other RI public and state universities including community colleges; schools outside the RI region, particularly in EPSCoR states; and universities and colleges that predominantly serve underrepresented minorities.
• Work closely with campus leadership across colleges and institutes. Partner with staff from organizations outside URI including the URI Research Foundation and the Business Engagement Center in the URI Foundation.
• Provide support for the Vice President for Research and Economic Development to the URI Board of Trustees and faculty senate committees.
• Lead and mentor staff to operationalize the activities, programs, and services set forth by the Associate Vice President, Research Initiatives and Development in coordination with the Vice President for Research and Economic Development and the research community.
• Direct the management of the internal process for selecting candidates to compete for opportunities with limited competitions.
• Advise the Vice President for Research and Economic Development and URI Faculty senate in the allocation of seed funds within the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development for proposal development and project completion.
• Prepare qualitative and metric-based analyses on the impact of research development on submissions and funding trends.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Perform other duties and special projects as needed.

LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT

Personal computers, printers; word processing, database management and spreadsheet software.

Posting Number: SF02127
Position Type: Professional Staff
Union: Non-Union Non-Classified Staff
Pay Grade Level: Grade Level: 18
Pay Grade Range: Anticipated Salary Hiring Range: $185,000 - $200,000
Department: SPA - VP Res & Econ Devel

Posting Date: 02/16/2026

To apply, visit https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/16178