About UMass Amherst
The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.
About Research & Engagement
The UMass Amherst community engages more than 31,000 students, 1,400 faculty, and 5,000 staff in 11 schools and colleges with a wide variety of degree programs, research, and public service. More than 800 faculty lead sponsored research projects in many areas from basic to applied that are sponsored by federal, state, and private sources with expenditures of more than $240 million in 2023.
Job Summary
The Director of Research Security & Risk Management leads the Research Security & Risk Management program in the development, maintenance and implementation of policies and procedures to appropriately safeguard the University against risks and liabilities inherent in its research activities. The Director recommends, develops, implements, and monitors compliance programs for the University to comply with Federal and state mandates and University system-wide policies and represents the Amherst campus in compliance matters with external and internal stakeholders, leading compliance activities that support UMass Amherst’s programs for institutional ethics, values, and standards of conduct.
Essential Functions
- Oversees and monitors implementation of the University’s research security & compliance programs, including research security, outside activities, data protection practices, international activities, and general risk/liability concerns stemming from research activities.
- Supervises the staff who comprise the Research Security & Risk Management team, providing direction and day-to-day oversight for staff working in export control, data security, and international & outside activities.
- Consults with and provides expert counsel to senior decision-makers on a range of research security and integrity issues, ensuring the confidentiality and sensitivity of complex issues are appropriately managed.
- Serves as primary liaison for assigned research compliance programs with executive and senior management, the Office of the General Counsel, the University President’s Office, and internal offices/departments with compliance responsibility. Assists University internal or independent external auditors/inspectors (e.g., FBI) in coordinating compliance reviews and monitoring activities.
- Develops, refines, and implements University policies and practices for compliance in assigned program areas, formulates and implements compliance programs in accordance with Federal regulations and University policy and through consultation with senior decision-makers, monitors compliance and assesses the adequacy of compliance programs, periodically revises compliance programs to respond to changes in regulatory or policy environments, fosters a “culture of compliance” for research and related activities through leadership, expertise and outreach.
- Reviews and responds to reports of non-compliance, either individually or through supervision of Research Security & Risk Management team members, investigates and/or coordinates with other internal/external investigations into matters related to non-compliance, formulates campus responses to external reviews and findings (including, but not limited to, U.S. Department of State, FBI, Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of Homeland Security), recommends and ensures an appropriate corrective action plan and coordinates any necessary self-disclosure of violations in cooperation with the Office of General Counsel and others as needed.
- Advises and reports on a regular basis to executive management to ensure executive-level commitment to the principles of compliance and participates in and coordinates activities of executive oversight committees.
- Participates in professional organizations and identifies and cultivates appropriate relationships with similar roles at other universities/research institutions.
- Establishes and leads a Research Security & Risk Management stakeholder group.
Other Functions
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Law or related field and six (6) years of relevant experience in higher education, legal compliance, or a related area.
- Three (3) years of managerial experience.
- Excellent analytical, research, and investigatory skills and technical knowledge of compliance requirements of applicable federal and state regulatory agencies and ability to innovate and problem-solve using good judgement and rational logic.
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, both written and oral, and the ability to effectively communicate with people at all levels of the organization and ability to be flexible, tactful, and diplomatic. Proven ability to form partnerships with faculty and staff to accomplish compliance objectives.
- High degree of personal integrity and ethics with uncompromising standards.
- Experience developing and delivering training or education workshops.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Doctoral degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Law or related field.
- Eight (8) years’ relevant experience, including in higher education, legal compliance, or a related area.
- Professional certification(s) in related areas.
- Experience working with members of a senior leadership team on organization-wide committees and collaboratively with multiple stakeholders.
- Extensive experience and knowledge of University policies and procedures and an understanding of University organizational structure and governance.
- Experience in development of policies/procedures/guidance documents related to research security.
- Experience with understanding systemic issues and analysis of the legal and legislative frameworks related to research security.
- Experience conducting prospective/retrospective reviews and investigations.
- A commitment to professional development and the ability to travel to national and regional meetings for training, updates, networking, and making presentations.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Typical office environment activity.
Additional Details
- For reasons related to export control compliance, candidates for this position must be a US Person, as defined in 22 C.F.R. 120.62.
Work Schedule
- Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm.
- This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University Staff Association collective bargaining agreement.
- This position has the opportunity for a remote work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where the employee’s work location is to work from a site other than the UMass Amherst campus. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University Staff Association collective bargaining agreement.
Salary Information
Salary Level 33
Exempt Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.