Chief Research Operations Officer

This search is at an advanced stage in the process. If your experience and background are a good fit for the position, we will be in touch. 

The Georgia Institute of Technology, also known as Georgia Tech or the Institute, a top-ranked public institution and one of the nation’s leading research universities, seeks a strategic, visionary, and innovative leader to serve as its inaugural Chief Research Operations Officer (CROO). The CROO will serve in a critical leadership role to facilitate and direct Georgia Tech’s large and growing research activities. In FY 2022, Georgia Tech funded research programs totaled over $1 billion, making it one of the largest funded research programs of any university in the nation. The new CROO will embrace a strong operational focus, overseeing Research Integrity Assurance, Research Administration, and Research Development and Operations. The CROO will join a leadership team charged with furthering Georgia Tech’s mission as a top-tier research institution.

Reporting to the Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR), Dr. Chaouki Abdallah, the CROO will optimize research operations, improve compliance, and support infrastructure improvements, including the identification and implementation of best practices to enhance research efficiency and productivity at Georgia Tech. The CROO also serves on the EVPR’s leadership team and serves as the EVPR’s deputy, providing direction and oversight on the EVPR’s behalf and representing the EVPR to internal and external constituencies regarding matters of research operations and administration. The CROO will partner with the EVPR in developing and articulating a long-term research vision and strategy consistent with the aspirations of the Institute Strategic Plan and Research Next, the Institute’s vision for the future of research operations, compliance, and administration at Georgia Tech. The position will oversee professional and support staff and will motivate, support, lead, and retain a high-performing team to ensure success in a research support environment characterized by growth and change. The CROO will represent Georgia Tech in the broader national and global conversations regarding research policy, operations, and administration.

The successful candidate will have significant leadership and management experience in a research environment, excellent written and spoken communication skills, process improvement experience, strategic planning knowledge, a service-oriented mindset, and the ability to foster key relationships with internal and external constituents. A commitment to diversity and inclusion is a priority as Georgia Tech works to address the intersections of sustainability, social justice, and community.

All applications, inquiries, and nominations should be directed, in confidence, electronically below.

Rebecca Kennedy and Dan Rodas are leading this search with Iliana Gonzalez, Katie White, and Cortnee Bollard.