Working Title: Assistant Director, Office of Research Development

State Role Title: Administrative and Professional Faculty

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

College/Division: Vice Provost - REDI

Department: 539412 - Vice Provost - Res & Pub Svc

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? Yes. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon continued funding.

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? N/A

Beginning Review Date: 11/1/2024

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The Assistant Director of the Office of Research Development (ORD) reports to the Director of the Office of Research Development within the Division of Research, Economic Development, and Innovation. ORD strategically supports efforts by JMU constituents related to pursuing external funding including access to research development resources and expertise, learning programs, strategic research alliances, dissemination of funding agency opportunities, and fostering of partner relationships with JMU research communities. The Assistant Director works in close coordination with the Research Development support personnel of individual colleges of JMU. This role is pivotal in realizing the overarching vision for central Research Development that serves the James Madison University research enterprise while upholding the university’s commitment to Inclusive Excellence.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Collaborate with the Director of the Office of Research Development and other relevant stakeholders to develop and execute strategies aimed at enhancing research productivity.

Communicate with College Research Development Associates and Managers, as well as other relevant stakeholders, to coordinate research development services.

Maintain and expand a centralized toolkit of Research Development resources for the College Research Development Associates and Managers.

Track and manage communications with JMU researchers, administration, and College Research Development Associates and Managers.

Foster engagement with collaborators and external funding entities, including hosting program officers and relevant visitors.

Develop and implement grant writing and other research development activities, such as appropriate workshops and institutes to stimulate successful grant applications by JMU researchers.

Provide proposal management support to complex large funding opportunities, such as the development of checklists and timelines based on the solicitation requirements.

Cultivate strong relationships with faculty and staff to encourage a grant-seeking culture across the university.

Maintain a strong relationship with research enterprise stakeholders and relevant parties such as Corporate and Foundation Relations.

Identify appropriate external funding opportunities and promote them within the JMU research community appropriately.

Maintain internal research development related databases to assist with Research Development initiatives.

Manage the Office of Research Development’s web presence, including social media.

Weave JMU’s commitment to Inclusive Excellence throughout the planning and processes in the office.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
Project management and planning experience.
Familiarity with research funding mechanisms and grant proposal development processes.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.
Effective communication skills, including strong writing and editing skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and other relevant software applications.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and independently as needed.
Demonstrated commitment to promoting inclusive excellence.

Preferred Qualifications:
Familiarity with institutional policies and processes.
Previous experience in research development/administration and proposal writing.
Experience working or collaborating with federal and industry sponsors.

Additional Posting Information:

JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.