Assistant Vice President of Research Operations & Finance

Position Information

Hiring Department: Vice President of Research & Innovation

Reports To: Vice President of Research & Innovation

Job Location: On-site; El Paso, TX

Posting End Date: Open until filled. This posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Hours: 40 hours per week, standard Monday- Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm, flexibility is required on evenings and weekends

FLSA status: Exempt

Earliest Start Date: As soon as possible.

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of three references

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Position Summary

The Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Research Operations and Finance is a senior leader responsible for providing strategic, operational, and financial oversight of the university's research enterprise. This role serves as a key advisor to the Vice President for Research and plays a critical leadership role in aligning research operations, business processes, and financial strategies to support institutional research growth, compliance, and innovation.

The AVP will lead a cross-functional team that includes research administration, financial compliance, infrastructure and systems support, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in financial management, costing policy, regulatory compliance, and process optimization in a complex academic or research-intensive environment.

Statement of Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a senior advisor to the Vice President for Research on matters related to research finance, operations, compliance, and infrastructure.
• Develop and implement financial models and operational strategies that support the expansion and sustainability of the research enterprise.
• Align operational and fiscal frameworks with institutional goals and evolving sponsor and federal regulatory requirements.
• Represent the research division in institutional budget planning, internal audits, risk assessments, and cross-divisional initiatives.

Research Operations Oversight

• Support core research administrative functions, including:

• Office of Sponsored Programs

• Post-Award Services

• Research Costing and Effort Reporting

• Research Risk and Compliance

• Federal Reporting

• Core Facilities and Shared Infrastructure

• Lead the Facilities & Administration (F&A) proposal

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of systems, processes, and tools that streamline operations and enhance research support services.

• Coordinate with academic units and central administration to reduce administrative burden and ensure consistency in research-related business processes.

Financial Stewardship

• Develop and manage the division's operating budget and provide financial oversight for research cost centers.
• Ensure accurate and compliant financial reporting.
• Establish and monitor internal controls for research spending, cost transfers, and salary certifications.
• Manage and monitor institutional start-up funding, providing strategic guidance, financial oversight, and planning support to maximize the effective allocation and utilization of resources while ensuring alignment with institutional and research priorities. Oversee institutional policies related to indirect cost recovery, service center rate development, and effort reporting.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the utilization, efficiency, and effectiveness of research equipment and research space across campus, supporting data-driven decision-making, strategic resource allocation, and institutional research growth.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Maintain a robust compliance framework for sponsored programs and research-related activities.
• Ensure institutional adherence to federal, state, and sponsor-specific regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance, NIH, NSF, DoD)
• Serve as a liaison for matters related to research administration and financial compliance.

Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software and able to learn and use institutional software systems.

Comply with all State and University policies.

Occasional travel.

Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Master's degree in business administration, public administration, finance, or a related field

and

Experience: Seven (7) - Ten (10) years of experience, related to the statement of duties and responsibilities; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Understanding of federal grant regulations, cost accounting standards, and research-related compliance requirements.

Proven record of strategic leadership, operational improvement, and cross-functional team management.

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior experience at an R1 research university.

Familiarity with enterprise systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Banner).

Demonstrated ability to lead change, develop staff, and build collaborative partnerships across complex organizations.

Why Pick UTEP

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve.

UTEP is America's leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 26,000 students are Hispanic, and half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 170 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.

This is an especially exciting time to join UTEP as it advances the goals of its 2030 Strategic Plan. Built around the institution's core strengths-its location, its people, its supportive culture, and its community partnerships-the plan lays out a bold vision for the next decade, aimed at maximizing the University's regional impact and national stature.

Miner Perks and Benefits

What UTEP Offers:

• Benefit Package includes: Medical, Prescription, Life Insurance and Wellness platform
• Voluntary Benefits: Dental, Vision, Additional life insurance, UT Flex, Short and Long - term disability plans
• Retirement Programs
• Longevity Pay
• Paid Vacation & Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Discounts & Perks
• Employee Education Assistance program
• And much more! Visit our Benefits Summary Page for more information on our additional benefits.

Disclaimer: Eligibility for perks and benefits may vary based on part-time or full-time employment.

Additional Information

Note: To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.

The primary accountabilities are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or some of the primary accountabilities listed. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be documented in the incumbents' performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents' immediate supervisor or manager. This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. A valid driver's license issued by the State where the applicant resides and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform the positions essential functions.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly be able to lift and move up to 50 lbs.

The noise level for this work environment is usually moderate.

In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to a learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at titleix@utep.edu, or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 223C.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEPs Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu.