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University of Akron
Vice President for
Research & Business Engagement
Research & Business Engagement
Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist
the University of Akron in their search for Vice President for Research & Business Engagement.
For best
consideration, please apply by January 27, 2022.
The University of Akron seeks a collaborative and decisive leader who
is committed to promote all aspects of the research enterprise, industry engagement, and graduate education to serve as Vice President for
Research & Business Engagement. This position requires an innovative, student-centric leader with a proven history of successful
growth initiatives, strong partnership and collaboration skills, and results-focused leadership. The Akron area, rich in development
and growth potential, provides an exceptional opportunity for a creative leader and builder skilled in community engagement and economic
development.
The VPR & BE provides leadership, direction and guidance to the Office of Research Administration (ORA), the
University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF) and depending upon qualifications, the Graduate School. This senior leadership position
reports to the Executive Vice President and Provost and has significant interaction with the President as well as the Vice President of
Advancement.
The Vice President for Research & Business Engagement (VPR & BE) has responsibility for management of all
research grants and contracts and provides oversight to the Office of Research Administration (ORA) and the University of Akron Research
Foundation. In addition, they enable faculty to effectively compete for funding opportunities, and provide leadership for mentoring junior
faculty. The VPR & BE promotes the University with Federal and State agencies as well as the broader business community. Further, they
manage the intellectual property portfolio and technology commercialization for the University.
The majority of research and creative
works is conducted within the context of our graduate degree programs and thus, the interface to the Graduate School is a natural part of
the VPR & BE portfolio. Depending upon the candidate’s qualifications, this position may provide oversight to the Graduate School
and coordinate the development of graduate education programs with academic units and assist with organization of recruitment and retention
of graduate students.
Candidates with non-traditional or non-academic research and innovation experience are encouraged to apply.
Depending on the successful candidates’ credentials, an appointment or faculty rank and/or other appropriate titles (including Dean of
the Graduate School) will be offered to candidates with appropriate experience and qualifications.
Essential
Functions:
- Develops and supports policies to assist faculty in building research programs and
increasing external research funding from all sources; encourages multidisciplinary research teams; and provides strategic
direction to the research enterprise of the university. - Manages university’s research grants, contracts and sponsored
programs through ORA and UARF. Serves as the chief research officer and is a member of the Ohio Board of Regents research
officers’ council. - Responsible for management of the intellectual property portfolio and technology
commercialization of the university. - Provides strategic and visionary leadership to a motivated group
of faculty and staff in matters relating to community engagement; research; scholarship; grant-seeking; and fundraising. - Provides oversight and review of Centers and Institutes. Oversees the Institutional Review Board. Helps to streamline processes
associated with research and graduate education by coordinating efforts of Human Resources, ORA, the Graduate School, Office of General
Counsel, Career Services as well as other support offices. - Promotes and represents the University with the broader
business community and assists with the alignment of research and educational needs with that of industry. - In the event that
the successful candidate’s qualifications are appropriate for the additional appointment as the Dean of the Graduate School,
additional functions include, but are not limited to the following: - Provides supervision of graduate education at the university.
Helps coordinate development of new graduate education programs with academic units. Responsible for working with academic
units in the organization of recruitment and retention activities for graduate students. - Provides strategic and
visionary leadership to a motivated group of faculty and staff in matters relating to graduate curriculum and program development;
accreditation, assessment and evaluation; and recruitment and retention of faculty staff and students - Identifies priorities and
secures resources needed to support scholarship, creative activities and instruction. Ensures adequate support for instruction and
administers the graduate assistantship allocations. Manages industrial assistantships and assists in securing graduate
fellowships. - Provides supervision to the Graduate School. Establishes vision and mission of the Graduate School.
- Convenes and chairs the Graduate Counsel.
Required Qualifications:
- Doctorate or terminal
degree in relevant field from an accredited institution. - Five years of experience in higher education leadership or leadership
position within government or industry. - Evidence of a background in research with a concomitant scholarly record or progressive
management leadership position. - Ability to mentor others and experience in working with Federal and state level funding
agencies. - Comfortable with building interdisciplinary teams, able to think strategically and handles sensitive information
discreetly. - Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity and
inclusion. - Knowledge of university structure, graduate programs, university policies, procedures and trends in higher
education a plus.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Rank of full professor, experience as department
chair, graduate program coordinator or role within research and sponsored programs. - Alternatively, progressive leadership
responsibility in an enterprise with a research focus.
About the Institution
The University of Akron
(UA) is among Ohio’s most influential public urban research universities, conducting high quality research in focused areas of
excellence, contributing to the vitality of the local economy and providing a workforce in highly trained diverse disciplines. UA offers
nearly 17,000 students a wide variety of in-demand associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degree
programs. UA is a STEM-intensive institution which has strong connections with industries including polymers, advanced materials and
engineering. UA brings together a group of diverse learners, including full-time, part-time, on-line, veterans and adult students. Students
are enrolled across five colleges: 1) College of Engineering and Polymer Science, 2) Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, 3) College of
Business, 4) Law and 5) College of Health and Human Services. In addition, students are served by several branch campuses.
Living in the Area
With a population of nearly 200,000, Akron is perfect for those looking for a city with a
small-town feel. With more than 20 distinct neighborhoods, the city offers residents a wide array of benefits including a vibrant downtown,
delicious dining, diverse and thriving arts and cultural scene, outdoor activities including the San Run Metro Park with over 41 miles of
hiking trails and Towpath Trail with 87 miles of Ohio’s most scenic countryside and numerous small lakes. The city is further
supported by public transportation including buses, Amtrak and the Akron-Canton Airport. Akron enjoys a cost of living 30.5% below the
national average.
Akron is only 40 minutes from Cleveland, 30 minutes from Canton and about two hours from both Columbus and
Pittsburgh. The city has a strong pro-business climate and is strategically located to promote opportunities. Akron is the corporate home to
numerous companies and its largest employer,
Summa Health Systems, provides jobs to nearly 11,000 people.
To
Apply
For best consideration, please apply by January 27, 2022
You may apply directly at https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjy5dmrl
Please do not email your application materials. Only
applications submitted through the link will be accepted.
Materials should include a cover
letter and CV.
Inquiries can be sent to: [email protected]
Nominations and
referrals are treated confidentially and can be sent to: [email protected]
The University of Akron is committed to
providing a safe environment for all students and employees. The University endeavors to protect the health, welfare and safety of all
students, employees and visitors on our campus. As such, the University will require a pre-employment background check and proof of COVID-19
vaccination for all applicants selected for employment.
Effective December 13, 2021, new hires must present proof of
COVID-19 vaccination, if vaccines are available and the employee is eligible, at time of hire. If a new employee is not fully vaccinated at
the time of hire, the offer of employment will be contingent upon the employee becoming fully vaccinated within 60 days of hire, unless a
qualifying medical or religious exemption is granted.
As a result of the federal government’s Executive order 14042,
the University is no longer able to accept/approve an exemption from the University’s vaccine requirement for reasons of conscience.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Akron, as an equal education and employment
institution, is committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified individuals in its education programs or activities,
including applicants for admissions or employment, will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national or
ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, military status or status as a veteran. To
further this commitment, the University complies with state and federal laws which prohibit discrimination. Questions or concerns about the
administration of this commitment can be directed to the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office
(uakron.edu/hr/eeoaa).
The University also strives to provide an environment free
from the negative impacts of gender-based discrimination and harassment as prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.
Questions about Title IX can be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, the Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of
Education or both. For more information on Title IX at the University of Akron, including how to contact the Title IX Coordinator, how to
file a complaint under Title IX with the University or the Title IX process at the University of Akron, please visit the University’s
Title IX page at uakron.edu/title-ix/at-uakron.
