Associate Vice President, Research Computing and Emerging Technologies

About Us

Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower over 50,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our universitys vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come Take Flight at KSU!

Location

(Primary Location for Job Responsibilities) Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Job Summary

Provides strategic leadership for the technology services, platforms, and partnerships that advance the universitys research mission. This role serves as the primary IT leader for research enablement, working closely with faculty, research administration, academic leadership, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and external partners to support high-performance computing, research data management, secure research environments, advanced analytics, automation, and emerging technologies. Responsible for developing and executing a research technology strategy that aligns with institutional priorities, expands support for sponsored research, improves the researcher experience, and ensures that technology investments are scalable, secure, sustainable, and responsive to evolving needs. The role also leads exploration and adoption of emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, advanced computing platforms, cloud research environments, and other capabilities that may enhance teaching, research, innovation, and institutional effectiveness. Bridges research, technology, security, and innovation to help the university grow its research enterprise while preparing for the next generation of digital capabilities.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: -

1. Leads develops and executes institutional technology and research computing strategies, translating vision into actionable roadmaps with measurable outcomes that support academic, research, and institutional goals

2. Partners with faculty and research leadership to understand needs and remove technology barriers

3. Advances secure research environments for regulated data, including CUI and other compliance requirements

4. Strategic oversight of research platforms such as HPC, cloud computing, data storage, analytics, and collaboration tools

5. Evaluates emerging technologies and translates them into practical institutional capabilities

6. Builds governance, standards, and sustainable funding models for research technology services

7. Coordinates with cybersecurity, infrastructure, enterprise applications, sponsored programs and grants, academic technology teams to develop, implement, and support technology solutions that advance the universitys research, teaching, and institutional priorities

8. Develops partnerships with vendors, peer institutions, consortia, and funding agencies

9. Measures impact through service adoption, researcher satisfaction, grant support, compliance readiness, and operational outcomes

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Masters degree from an accredited institution of higher education in Computational Science and Engineering, Scientific Computing, Computer Science, High-Performance Computing, or other related field.

Required Experience

Ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience in research computing, information technology, or a related field. Proven ability to lead complex technology organizations, drive strategic initiatives, and deliver innovative, scalable solutions that support research and institutional goals within higher education or similarly complex environments.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred Qualifications

ISACA Certified in Emerging Technology (CET)

CertNexus Certified Emerging Technology Professional (CETP)

Preferred Educational Qualifications

An advanced or terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

Able to effectively convey complex technical concepts and strategic initiatives to executive leadership, faculty researchers, Advanced project and portfolio management skills, with demonstrated success managing multiple concurrent initiatives and aligning investments with institutional priorities

Able to establish and maintain strategic partnerships across academic, research, administrative, industry, and external stakeholder communities to advance institutional priorities

Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of emerging technologies and their strategic application in higher education and research environments, with the ability to develop pilot programs and scale successful innovations across the institution

Experience leading complex organizational change initiatives, utilizing structured change management approaches to drive adoption, stakeholder engagement, and institutional readiness

Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and best practices in achieving and maintaining Federal cyber compliance in complex secure infrastructures within the organization

Understanding of the nature of Research and Development (R&D) mission and the common necessity to deviate from published standards and policies to evaluate and process exception requests

Knowledge of federal and DoW research cybersecurity compliance requirements, including National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 (NSPM-33), NIST 800 series, DFARS 252.204-7012 (NIST SP 800-171), DFARS 252.204-7021 (CMMC), and familiarity with the Risk Management Framework (RMF)

Experience working with Federally regulated information types such as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and export-controlled information (ITAR/EAR)

Experience in budget development, resource planning, contract negotiation, and vendor management, ensuring the effective and efficient use of institutional resources

SKILLS

Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, and presentation skills

Strong analytical and strategic planning abilities, including the assessment of emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities that enhance research competitiveness and institutional effectiveness

Exceptional leadership, team building, and talent development skills, including the ability to recruit, mentor, and retain highly skilled technical and research computing professionals

governance groups, and external partners

Demonstrated leadership in building innovative, high-performing organizations, fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)

Strong attention to detail and follow up skills

Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, eeo@kennesaw.edu.

Other Information

This is a supervisory position.

This position does not have any financial responsibilities.

This position will not be required to drive.

This role is considered a position of trust.

This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).

This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time

This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

• Standard Enhanced
• Education

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.

https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf