"Director, Research Security (Associate Director or Director)"

The Research Policy and Integrity (RPI) office, within the Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Research, develops and oversees the implementation of university research policies in collaboration with research administration offices, faculty leadership, school deans, and campus stakeholders. The office ensures that new and revised policies are clearly communicated and consistently applied across Stanford’s research enterprise. In addition to supporting the development and stewardship of the Stanford Research Policy Handbook (the university’s central resource for research-related policies) RPI provides policy and regulatory support in the following major areas: Conflict of Commitment and Conflict of Interest; Research Security, Export Controls, and Global Engagement Review; and Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position provides programmatic leadership and operational oversight to ensure Stanford’s compliance with evolving federal research security requirements and to protect the integrity of the university’s research enterprise. Responsibilities include developing and implementing research security policies and processes; conducting risk reviews of research activities, disclosures, and international engagements; monitoring and analyzing federal and agency regulations to assess institutional impact; building awareness across the research community through training, tools, and guidance; and facilitating collaboration across university compliance offices and committees to ensure consistent and effective execution of Stanford’s Research Security Program. The position will also support related research policy, compliance, and integrity initiatives as assigned, reflecting the cross-functional nature of research oversight at the university. Specific responsibilities include:

• Provide complex operational and analytical support with minimal supervision.
• Identify, prioritize, and address competing institutional requirements and needs.
• Manage and coordinate committees, including preparing agendas, researching, and drafting background materials.
• Oversee and manage relationships with vendors and consultants.
• Draft documents and presentations; perform research, editing, and fact-checking to ensure accuracy and clarity.
• Analyze complex federal and agency policies to identify relevant requirements and affected stakeholders.
• Monitor federal and state statutory and regulatory updates to stay informed on national and state trends in research compliance.
• Build and maintain relationships and lines of communication with key stakeholders across campus to facilitate information sharing and process development.
• Organize and support working groups to ensure alignment with Research Security Program objectives and timely completion of milestones.
• Collect and analyze data, prepare reports, and identify trends to inform program implementation and continuous improvement.
• Regularly assess the effectiveness of the Research Security Program in partnership with stakeholders.
• Develop and manage record-keeping procedures and systems to ensure compliance and data integrity.
• Identify and assess potential risks related to international engagements using Visual Compliance, Dimensions AI, Refinitiv, and other tools.
• Create and maintain informational resources and tools to help faculty and staff independently assess and mitigate risk.
• Perform other duties as assigned related to the goals and operations of the Research Security Program.
• Support cross-functional research policy, compliance, and integrity initiatives, as assigned, in collaboration with university partners, contributing to coordinated and consistent institutional oversight.

CORE DUTIES:

• Lead strategic planning and analysis for complex university programs or functions with significant business, regulatory and/or technical challenges requiring subject matter expertise. Manage and direct the development, implementation, administration and evaluation of programs or functions. Monitor trends and recommend programs or functions direction.
• Act as the subject matter expert for School/unit and/or the university regarding the interpretation, implementation and compliance with policies and regulations. Recommend actions and/or resolve complex issues that span organizational boundaries.
• Represent the program or function at the university level and/or to external/internal stakeholders and constituencies.
• Direct and manage outreach strategy that may include relationship development, communications, and compliance.
• Oversee or supervise staff in the development and implementation of programs or functions.
• May develop and/or oversee budgets; manage finances including monitoring, analyzing, forecasting, and reporting

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and ten years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated expertise and comprehensive understanding of research security requirements and terminology, with the ability to interpret, analyze, apply, and clearly communicate applicable requirements, guidance, policies, and trends that affect research security.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, organize, and execute complex projects; identify, analyze, and resolve issues efficiently; use sound judgment to assess risk; and independently develop work plans, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple assignments to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate information, formulate logical and objective conclusions, recommend effective strategies and solutions, and clearly distill and communicate complex regulatory or operational information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to provide guidance on research security and other research-related regulatory requirements, resolve issues, and work collaboratively and responsively with stakeholders, while maintaining ethics, integrity, confidentiality, and responsible handling of sensitive research information.
• Demonstrated technology and software application skills; ability to learn new platforms; advanced proficiency with office productivity software; and familiarity with systems used in research security, such as screening tools, disclosure platforms, and compliance systems.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to sit for extended periods and work at a computer.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Extensive computer and electronic communication use.
• extended hours may be needed to meet deadlines or address time-sensitive issues.
• Work may involve handling confidential or sensitive information in secure settings.
• May attend meetings, trainings, or presentations across campus or via remote platforms; occasional travel between campus locations may be required.
• Work involves handling sensitive or confidential research-related information in accordance with university policies and federal regulations.

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide.

Onsite/Hybrid:

The expected pay range for this position is $181,914 - $231,158 per annum.

Remote:

This role is open to candidates anywhere in the United States. Stanford University has five Regional Pay Structures. The compensation for this position will be based on the location of the successful candidate.

The expected pay range for this position is $125,687 - $195,870 per annum for remote positions.

The expected pay range for this position is $181,914 - $231,158 per annum for hybrid positions.