Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:
September 8, 2025
If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.
Available Title(s):
1416-NN_ADMINPRO - Associate Vice President
Business Title:
Associate Vice President for Research Advancement & Strategy
Employee Type:
Admin. Professional
Position Details:
The Opportunity:
The Office of Research (OR) at Washington State University (WSU) is responsible for advancing the research enterprise at WSU systemwide. The OR facilitates all aspects of the research from pre-award to compliance, advancement, development, and commercialization. The Office of Research amplifies WSU's land-grant mission by partnering with the university community, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to advance, extend, and grow the positive impact of WSU research for the state, the region, and the nation.
As the Associate Vice President for Research Advancement and Strategy you will work closely with the Vice President for Research to provide long-range strategy and tactical planning to advance Washington State University's research mission in alignment with its land-grant purpose. In this position you will lead system-wide efforts to expand WSU's research impact through high-value partnerships with industry, key university partners, national laboratories, and cross-disciplinary consortia/centers, that addresses critical challenges and provide solutions-oriented strategies across Washington and beyond.
Your position plays a central role in enhancing WSU's capacity for large-scale, transdisciplinary, and translational research. Which includes oversight of university-wide research development activities and support for innovation, entrepreneurship, and the formation of high-impact research centers and institutes. You will proactively identify emerging research trends, funding opportunities, and strategic growth areas, and provide data-informed leadership to build institutional competitiveness.
You will ensure the university's research strengths and priorities are communicated at both state and national levels. Your role serves as a trusted advisor to the Vice President for Research and a key member of the Office of Research leadership team supporting institutional efforts to elevate research excellence and align research strategy with public needs, workforce development, and federal and state priorities.
Job Functions:
70%: Research Advancement and Strategy

Strategic Research Planning and Partnerships : In collaboration with the Vice President for Research (VPR), lead and implement data-informed strategic plans that position WSU's research enterprise to address pressing challenges facing the state of Washington and beyond focusing on WSU's land-grant identity and public service mission.
Cross-Disciplinary Research Initiatives: Lead efforts to conceptualize, launch, and sustain large-scale interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research initiatives that align with emerging scientific trends, societal needs and potentials for collaboration with industry and federal agencies.
Funding Strategy and Proposal Development : Oversee proactive identification and dissemination of high-value funding opportunities in federal, state, and philanthropic sectors.
Communication and Advocacy : In collaboration with the VPR define and implement the OR communication strategy, and iterate as necessary.

25%: Direct Research Development and Advancement, External Partnerships & Strategy and Communication Units

Leadership and Management and Reporting Units : The Research Development and Advancement, External Partnerships, and Communications teams will be direct reports. Ensure staff alignment with institutional needs.
Strategic Resource Management : Manage the unit's budget and resources to enable responsiveness to strategic opportunities and institutional priorities
Organizational Alignment and Continuous Improvement
Set strategic and operational goals for research development, external partnerships, and advancement units.
Workforce Planning and Talent Development
Recruit, retain, and mentor a high-performing staff committed to service, innovation, and interdisciplinary engagement.

5%: Other duties as assigned
Additional Information:
This is a full time (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime exempt.
Monthly Salary: $15,000 - $20,833 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.
Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.
Required Qualifications:

Positions require a Master's Degree in a related field and a minimum of eight (8) years of related professional experience in a complex organization, with preference given to experience in a higher education setting.
Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.
Demonstrated success leading teams in a collaborative work environment.
Strong financial management skills, including development and management of budgets, and knowledge of enterprise budget management systems.

Additional Requirements:

Record of innovation in leadership and management at increasing levels of responsibility throughout the candidate's career.
Experience working with corporate, industry and/or national laboratories.
Excellent interpersonal and relationship skills and a demonstrated ability to work with legislative staff and other governmental bodies, funding agencies, and regulatory agencies.
Demonstrated project management skills
Strong financial management skills, including development and management of budgets and knowledge of Workday.
Demonstrated project management skills.
Experience coordinating strategic planning, implementation, and assessment.

Preferred

A minimum of 10 years of experience in a senior research administrative and strategic management role in a major research university or related academic or research institute environment.
Experience should include a record of commitment to and delivery of responsive service to the research community and a proven track record of achieving growth.

About Department/College/Area/Campus - For more information about the great work we are doing and to view our mission and values, please visit our website: Washington State University | Office of Research.
Area/College: Office of Research
Department Name: Research Advancement & Partnerships
Location: Pullman, WA 99164-1060
Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.
1) Resume
2) Cover Letter (Addressing the qualifications and the position details.)
External candidates , upload all documents in the "Application Document" section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates) , before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the "Resume/Cover Letter" section of your application.
Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.
Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.
Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.
Time Type:
Full time
Position Term:
12 Month
Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.
WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or
Notice of Non-Discrimination
In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.
Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU's Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, or both.
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