Director - Research Services

MTSU has substantially expanded its externally funded research enterprise and is entering its next phase of growth. The University's externally funded portfolio reached approximately $38 million in the most recent year, and the Vice Provost for Research has set a goal of $50 million annually over the next several years. The Director will work directly with the Vice Provost for Research to help build the strategy, organization, systems, faculty engagement, proposal pipeline, sponsor relationships, and operational capacity necessary to achieve that next level of performance. This position is intended for a leader who combines deep knowledge of sponsored-program administration with the ability to build organizations, develop people, improve systems, work effectively with faculty, identify opportunities, and convert institutional research capacity into competitive external funding. Reporting to the Vice Provost for Research, the Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) provides strategic and operational leadership for the University's sponsored research enterprise. The Director is responsible for leading, managing, and continuously improving ORSP; providing high-quality service to faculty and other investigators; ensuring effective stewardship and compliance throughout the sponsored-project lifecycle; and developing the organizational capacity, systems, processes, relationships, and strategies necessary to grow and diversify the University's externally funded portfolio.