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Job Title:
Associate Vice President for Facilities and Infrastructure

Position Overview

The Associate Vice President (AVP) for Facilities and Infrastructure provides strategic and operational leadership for research infrastructure planning, capital initiatives, and facility strategy across the Enterprise for Research, Innovation, and Knowledge (ERIK). This role leads the ERIK’s research facility and infrastructure function, overseeing planning, development, and activation of research spaces and major initiatives that enable institutional research growth and impact. As an institutional leader, the AVP develops and executes enterprise strategies aligned with the university’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies. The position serves as a key advisor to ERIK senior leadership on research infrastructure investments, risks, and opportunities. Collaborates with colleges, academic units, and administrative partners across Ohio State to ensure institutional research priorities are understood, aligned, and effectively advanced through infrastructure planning and resource allocation.

The individual in this role will report to the Vice President for Research.

The role will lead enterprise research infrastructure strategy and long-range planning, translating institutional priorities into actionable capital and space initiatives that support research growth and impact. The role will provide executive oversight of ERIK capital planning activities in collaboration with ERIK Finance & Business Operations and university partners, and guide development and activation of major initiatives, including the Innovation District and VISTA Space Park, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.

Capital Projects & Facilities Development

• Oversee planning, design, construction, renovation, and activation of ERIK-stewarded facilities in partnership with Facilities Operations and Development (FOD), Facilities Design and Construction (FDC), Planning, Architecture, and Real Estate (PARE), and Medical Center facilities leadership.
• Execute leasing strategies for ERIK-managed spaces in coordination with Business & Finance and PARE.
• Ensure research infrastructure projects meet quality, schedule, cost, and compliance requirements.
• Provide strategic oversight for research-related facilities operations and maintenance considerations, including utility service delivery and infrastructure readiness.

Innovation District & External Partnerships

• Lead strategies to attract industry partners, startups, and external organizations to ERIK facilities and innovation district initiatives.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with industry, government agencies, community organizations, and economic development partners to advance research collaboration and space utilization.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the university and external tenants located within ERIK-managed facilities, ensuring alignment with institutional policies and research goals.
• Partner with Corporate and Foundation Engagement and other university units to support economic development and industry engagement efforts.

Governance, Policy & Space Strategy

• Provide leadership for research infrastructure governance processes, including policies, procedures, and enterprise planning frameworks.
• Oversee development of research space allocation strategies, utilization analyses, and long-term infrastructure planning to optimize institutional resources.
• Ensure appropriate physical access controls and compliance requirements for ERIK-stewarded facilities, including secure research environments, in collaboration with Research Compliance and other partners.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement processes related to research infrastructure planning and project prioritization.

Financial & Business Operations

• Lead ERIK capital budgeting processes and long-range financial planning for research infrastructure investments.
• Oversee two earnings operations with combined annual budgets exceeding $10M, ensuring financial sustainability and strategic allocation of resources.
• Direct ERIK engagement with Business & Finance on facilities-related components of federal Facilities & Administrative (F&A) rate renewal and negotiation processes.
• Monitor financial performance of infrastructure initiatives and recommend adjustments to support institutional goals.

Operations & Performance Excellence

• Oversee operations of ERIK-managed facilities, including research incubator environments and shared infrastructure resources.
• Establish performance metrics and monitoring processes to evaluate facility utilization, tenant success, and infrastructure effectiveness.
• Translate best practices from peer institutions into enterprise improvements for research infrastructure planning and operations.
• Facilitate the opening and operational launch of ERIK-directed cores and research facilities.

Research Cores & Data Strategy

• Oversee directors for university-wide Research Cores programs, including Campus Microscopy and Imaging Facility (CMIF) and Campus Chemical Instrument Center (CCIC) and work to enhance administrative, operational, and financial effectiveness of core facilities.
• Oversee development and management of enterprise data systems for research space, tenants, equipment, and facilities conditions.
• Integrate research infrastructure data with productivity and performance metrics to support institutional reporting, planning, and decision-making.

Team Leadership

• Provide leadership and direction for a growing team of infrastructure, facilities, and project management professionals responsible for planning, design, construction, activation, and operations of ERIK-managed facilities.
• Oversee organizational structure, staffing strategy, performance management, and professional development for assigned teams. Direct supervision includes the Director of Economic Development and other leaders as assigned.

Stakeholder Engagement & Institutional Representation

• Serve as a senior representative of ERIK on behalf of the Vice President for Research with internal and external stakeholders, including university leadership, colleges, industry partners, funding organizations, and state and local leaders.
• Maintain strong collaborative relationships with Associate Deans for Research, college research administrators, and institutional partners to support research infrastructure priorities.
• Advise ERIK senior leadership on complex, high-risk, or high-impact research infrastructure matters and recommend strategic solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or other relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 12 years relevant work experience.
• Extensive experience in a progressively responsible administrative, space management, and/or project management capacity, preferably in a higher education setting.
• Strong experience with research environment.
• Experience in strategic and long-range planning.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration or other relevant field.
• Minimum of 15 years relevant work experience.
• Knowledge of university research policies and procedures.

Application Materials

• A resume and cover letter are required to be submitted at the time of application to be considered for this position.

Salary

Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Work Location

This position is expected to work in-person on The Ohio State University's main campus in Columbus, Ohio. Some domestic travel is expected.

Additional Information

Ohio State will not sponsor applicants for a work visa for this position.

Research Infrastructure and Strategic Initiatives Overview

The team supports the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge’s ambition to create and sustain dynamic infrastructure and capabilities that drive discoveries and to continuously increase operational excellence enabling shared and individual research and innovation success. 

ERIK Overview

Join the (ERIK) at The Ohio State University and become a part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of discovery and innovation. ERIK positions Ohio State to expand curiosity-driven research and creative expression, further develop our research community of faculty, staff, and students, and grow the innovation ecosystem to address big challenges and improve communities locally and globally. We are seeking passionate individuals who are committed to making a meaningful impact through collaboration, innovation, and excellence.

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