Director of Research Compliance and Integrity - #221866

Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number
EHRA1101P

Quick Link for Internal Postings
https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/34578

Classification Title
Director

Working Title
Director of Research Compliance and Integrity - #221866

Department
Sponsored Research

Anticipated Hiring Range
$83,554

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

The Director of Research Compliance and Integrity provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the university's research compliance and integrity programs. This position is responsible for ensuring that research activities are conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, sponsor, and institutional requirements while promoting a culture of ethical research conduct, accountability, and continuous improvement. The Director oversees major compliance areas including human subjects research, animal care and use, biosafety, conflict of interest and commitment, export controls, research security, responsible conduct of research, and research integrity.

The position serves as the institution's subject matter expert and primary point of contact for export controls, research security, and national security compliance, and directs regulatory compliance programs related to IRB, IACUC, IBC, and other research protections. The Director also administers conflict of interest and conflict of commitment processes; receives, assesses, and manages allegations of research misconduct; and leads education, training, and outreach efforts designed to strengthen institutional understanding of research compliance expectations.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, this position advises senior leadership on regulatory changes, compliance risks, policy implications, and risk mitigation strategies. The Director may serve in key institutional roles such as Research Integrity Officer, support the Institutional Official for IRB and IACUC programs as delegated, and support the Empowered Official for export controls. The position also leads cross-functional initiatives involving institutional leaders, external partners, and regulatory bodies to support effective compliance program management and the continued advancement of the university's research mission.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Regulatory & Technical Expertise. Knowledge of research compliance requirements, regulatory frameworks, and institutional processes related to areas such as human subjects research, animal care and use, biosafety, conflict of interest and commitment, export controls, research security, and research integrity. Ability to interpret complex regulations and apply them to practical institutional operations.
• Leadership & Strategic Management. Ability to provide direction for compliance programs, guide institutional policy and procedure development, and support strategic decision-making. Demonstrated capacity to lead initiatives, coordinate stakeholders, and exercise sound judgment in a complex higher education environment.
• Investigative & Analytical Skills. Ability to assess allegations, compliance concerns, operational risks, and regulatory questions using sound judgment and appropriate discretion. Skilled in gathering information, identifying relevant issues, documenting findings, and supporting fair and thorough review processes.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills. Ability to communicate clearly with faculty, staff, administrators, committees, external partners, and regulatory bodies. Skilled in explaining complex compliance requirements in an accessible manner and building effective working relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Time Management & Prioritization Skills. Ability to manage multiple compliance programs, deadlines, inquiries, investigations, and projects simultaneously. Demonstrated skill in prioritizing work, responding to urgent matters, and maintaining attention to detail in a high-volume environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Interested candidates must already be legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require any immigration sponsorship or support.
• Master's degree in a relevant field such as research administration, public administration, higher education administration, health sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, law, compliance, ethics, or another field related to the duties of the position
• 3 years of experience in research administration or related field
• Prior supervisory or leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications

• A terminal degree in a relevant field such as research administration, public administration, higher education administration, health sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, law, compliance, ethics, or another field related to the duties of the position
• 5 years of experience in research administration or related field
• Experience managing or supporting human subjects' research via the institutional review board (IRB) reviews and procedures and/or animal research via the institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC)
• Certified IRB Professional

Position Type
Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week
40

Number of Months Per Year
12

Posting Text

Open Date
07/17/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include a cover letter, current resume and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Billy Hutchings at wshutchings@email.wcu.edu