George Washington University: Executive Director, Research Integrity and Compliance (Hybrid)

Washington, DC, United States

George Washington University: Executive Director, Research Integrity and Compliance (Hybrid) Overview Reporting to the Associate Provost for Research Integrity and Compliance (AP-RIC), the Executive Director, Research Integrity and Compliance is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing policies, procedures, and programs related to research integrity, ethics, compliance, and research security. This is largely accomplished through the direct oversight and stewardship of the formal Responsible Conduct of Research Program, Research Compliance and Quality Assurance Program, Conflict of Interest Program, and Office of Research Security. Through oversight and management of the Research Compliance and Quality Assurance Office, the Executive Director will provide substantive leadership on all matters related to research compliance across all areas of the research enterprise including basic, applied, laboratory and clinical research. The Executive Director also plays a key role in facilitating the training and educating of researchers, staff, and students on research ethics and compliance issues. This position will be a key partner in continuing to enhance the ability of the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance to perform its mission-critical work in support of the GW research enterprise, as well as in defining the scope of the office’s work in response to an ever-evolving and increasingly more complex regulatory framework.

In addition to these duties, the Executive Director, Research Integrity and Compliance acts as the Research Integrity Officer. In this capacity, the Executive Director is responsible for conducting investigations into allegations of research misconduct. The Executive Director will lead or support the development and implementation of corrective and preventative actions as needed to address any identified issues. As the primary liaison with regulatory agencies and oversight bodies for the responsible conduct of research, the Executive Director also represents GW and its researchers in discussions with external stakeholders on issues related to research integrity and compliance.

The Executive Director, Research Integrity and Compliance position’s responsibilities include overseeing the activities of the department staff, ensuring quality, productivity, functional excellence and efficiency to accomplish strategic and operational objectives. In addition, this position is accountable for employee engagement, adequate staffing levels, budget development and compliance, staffing decisions such as hiring and terminating employment, coaching and counseling employees on work related performance, and developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure a safe and effective work environment. This position also ensures training, monitoring and operations initiatives are implemented which secure compliance with ethical and legal business practices and accreditation/regulatory/government regulations.

Overall, the Executive Director, Research Integrity and Compliance plays a critical role in ensuring the high quality, ethical conduct, and successful development of GW’s research programs.

Specific responsibilities of the Executive Director, Research Integrity and Compliance will include the following:

Direct, develop and implement strategic and operational institutional policies and procedures related to research compliance; remain abreast of regulatory changes and provide advice regarding policy, procedural, and resource/operational needs relative to existing and emerging areas of research/regulatory compliance; work with functional directors to develop standard operating procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and institutional requirements, including those related to reporting and certification;

Develop, implement and direct a research compliance, quality assurance and monitoring function, to include reviews of all areas of research across the GW enterprise, and internal assessments of regulatory administrative and committee reviews and approvals (i.e. minutes, regulatory review procedures, etc.);

Facilitate and ensure the appropriate implementation of the process for addressing allegations of research misconduct;

Oversee the development of appropriate responsible conduct of research (RCR) programming, includingRCReducation and training for faculty, staff, and students; ensure the provision of related resources to aid the GW research community in conducting its research responsibly;

Work with relevant GW offices to establish office web pages, newsletters, marketing pamphlets and content, and other tools (education scheduling, seminars, posters, etc.);

Supervise research compliance officers with primary responsibility for issues involving research-related conflicts of interest and/or commitment, including financial conflicts of interest; data use agreements and data management plans; research compliance and quality assurance programming across the research enterprise; and export controls;

Provide leadership and communication to maintain a competent and engaged employee group by conducting regular department meetings to review policies and procedures and operational matters, rounding on all employees, completing performance appraisals, conducting new hire feedback sessions, coaching/corrective counseling, and providing recognition/commendations to achieve desired outcomes;

Facilitate the inspection of regulatory committee activity records and on-site research facilities by regulatory agencies during investigations and audits;

Identify opportunities and take action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, and units to achieve business goals. Drive the promotion of teamwork within and between departments; participate and/or lead and facilitate department process improvements as needed;

Oversee department operations, designated projects, schedules and activities as needed to ensure that goals or objectives are accomplished within the required time frames. Set priorities and functional standards, giving direction to staff as necessary to ensure the best possible delivery of service and high customer/patient satisfaction;

Employ a proactive approach in the optimization of safe and high-quality outcomes and information systems by monitoring and improving the department workflow and enhancing operations, using peer-to-peer accountability and identifying solutions via collaboration. Implement process improvements utilizing tools such as lean principles. Role models situational awareness, using teachable moments to improve safety and quality;

Identify and implement innovative solutions for practice or workflow changes to improve department, entity or system operations by leading unit projects and/or other department/ system-directed activities. Proactively lead task forces and committees. May represent AP-RICat assigned community or professional organization meetings;

Drive change initiatives, maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures. Partner effectively with stakeholders as appropriate;

Ensure own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basis. Conducts conversations with staff on their development andIDP;

Perform other work-related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

To carry out these duties, the Executive Director, Research Integrity and Compliance will:

Work closely with the AP-RIC, Office of General Counsel; the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Risk; the Office of Sponsored Projects; Information Technology; and other offices across the organization as necessary and appropriate;

Build and nurture relationships with related institutional offices and functions, identify opportunities for mission-advancing partnerships; and engage key members of the GW research community, including the research deans.

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 10 years of relevant professional experience, Master’s degree, or higher, in a relevant area of study preferred. Relevant experience must include at least 2 years of senior leadership/executive level experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

Ten years of substantive experience in research compliance in higher education, a research institute, or a government regulatory agency with a significant focus on research integrity.

Work in a higher education setting.

Expertise in at least two research compliance areas identified above and sufficient working knowledge of all other areas.

Demonstrated experience interacting with regulatory governmental agencies, accreditation, or other oversight organizations.

Ability to maintain the highest level of professional conduct and integrity in all circumstances.

Graduate degree in the sciences or law.

Experience managing internal investigations.

Demonstrated experience engaging with leadership and other stakeholders on critical operational elements.

Demonstrated supervisory/managerial experience.

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