"Director of IRB Administration and Compliance"

Job Description

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuit university with a 200-acre campus located along the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprised of approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students pursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School of Engineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, and School of Education and Human Development. As an expression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values.

The University seeks highly qualified candidates for the role of Director, Institutional Review Board (IRB) Administration and Compliance.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Senior Director, Office of Research & Grants, the Director of IRB Administration and Compliance is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Fairfield University. This individual ensures that all research involving human subjects is conducted in accordance with ethical principles, federal regulations, and institutional policies. The Director serves as the university's subject matter expert on human subjects’ research compliance and plays a central role in advancing the mission of ethical research through policy development, education, and effective oversight.

This individual provides strategic and operational support to the IRB, ensures consistent and thorough pre-review of research protocols, and supports the research community—including faculty and doctoral students—through training and guidance. The Director is also responsible for maintaining compliance documentation and records, coordinating IRB meetings, and fostering a culture of responsible research conduct.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

IRB Operations & Compliance

• Oversee daily IRB operations to ensure efficiency, regulatory compliance, and ethical oversight of human subjects’ research.
• Conduct pre-reviews of IRB protocol submissions for completeness, accuracy, and appropriate level of review.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the IRB and the research community, providing regulatory support and guidance.

Regulatory & Administrative Support

• Ensure university compliance with federal regulations, institutional policies, and ethical guidelines related to human subjects’ research.
• Maintain all IRB records, including documentation of IRB meetings, protocol determinations, and compliance monitoring.
• Maintain records of all grants and contracts involving human subjects’ research.

Policy & Procedure Development

• Collaborate with the Associate Vice Provost for Research & Scholarship and the IRB Chair to develop, review, and revise IRB policies, procedures, and forms.
• Identify areas for process improvement and implement solutions to enhance efficiency and compliance.
• Monitor evolving regulations and best practices to keep institutional procedures current.

Training & Education

• Develop and deliver educational programs and materials on human subjects’ research compliance for faculty, staff, and doctoral students.
• Serve as a resource for ethical research practices and federal regulatory requirements.

IRB Meeting Coordination

• Organize and facilitate monthly IRB meetings, including agenda preparation, protocol distribution, and minutes documentation.
• Provide guidance and regulatory support to IRB members during protocol reviews.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in IRB administration or human research protections, preferably in a university or research institution.
• In-depth knowledge of federal regulations governing human subjects’ research
• Certified IRB Professional (CIP) certification preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with policy development, compliance oversight, and educational programming.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with faculty, administrators, and students.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Hands-on approach to problem solving.
• Desire for continuous improving and learning.
• Collaborative, listening to learn and to understand, respectful of others’ views.
• Pay careful attention to details and follow through. Do not let things fall through the cracks, do not omit details or derail a project
• Organize work and manage priorities and competing demands effectively.
• Adapt wisely to complexity and change without losing sight of the goal and the mission.
• Act with honesty, discretion, and integrity, consistently with values and principles.
• Earn trust and maintain confidence, do what is right.
• Do not cut ethical corners.
• Deliver results and keep verbal and written commitments – formal or informal.

EDUCATION

• Master’s degree required; advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., public health, law, research administration) preferred.
• Certified IRB Professional (CIP) certification preferred.

COMPENSATION

A competitive compensation package including base salary along with a full benefits package will be offered.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Ken McGovern
KMR Executive Search
(860) 404-2526
kmcgovern@kmrsearch.com

Category: Academic - Admin

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.