Assistant Vice President for Research Development and Innovation

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Job description

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer:

  • Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
  • Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
  • Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
  • Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
  • Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us!

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Assistant Vice President for Research Development and Innovation is a senior leadership role within the Office of Research at Howard University. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Research, the AVP provides strategic direction and integrated oversight of the university’s Research Development and Technology Transfer units. This position is responsible for guiding faculty through assisting faculty by expanding research funding opportunities, and translating research outcomes into real-world impact through commercialization, licensing, and entrepreneurship. The AVP serves as a key advisor to the VP for Research and helps set research strategy, strengthen institutional research capacity, and foster a culture of innovation aligned with Howard’s mission as a leading R1 HBCU.

SUPERVISORY ACCOUNTABILITY:

  • Supervises the Sr. Director for Research Development and Strategic Research Partnerships
  • Supervises Executive Director for Research Development and College Partnerships
  • Supervises Director of Technology Transfer & Commercialization
  • Supervises Senior Coordinator for Research Communications, Events, and Engagement
  • Provides high-level guidance to interdisciplinary proposal teams, innovation committees, and industry engagement staff

NATURE AND SCOPE:

This position sits at the intersection of research development and innovation strategy. The AVP-RDI leads the university’s efforts to enhance research competitiveness, increase faculty participation in sponsored research, lead all research development and innovation events, and promote the commercialization of university-generated intellectual property. The role requires deep collaboration with internal stakeholders (e.g., deans, faculty, legal, finance) and external partners (e.g., federal agencies, foundations, corporate partners, incubators, and accelerators).

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Strategic Leadership (30%)

  • Work with the VP for Research to shape and implement a cohesive research and innovation strategy that supports Howard’s R1 status and long-term growth.
  • Lead the research development and technology transfer units to drive our research strategy for increased innovation, external funding, and partnerships.
  • Represent the Office of Research on university-wide committees and to external stakeholders related to research, innovation, and economic development.
  • Gather metrics on research development for leadership and to track strategic goals.

Oversight of Research Development (25%)

  • Oversee the strategic coordination of research development leadership to meet the Office of Research’s strategetic goals.
  • Ensure effective systems for faculty proposal support, training, and strategic resource allocation.
  • Guide research development leaders in implementing performance metrics, grant readiness tools, and external funding strategies.
  • Support major institutional proposals, consortia, and center-level initiatives.

Oversight of Technology Transfer & Commercialization (25%)

  • Work with the Director of Technology Transfer to increase Howard’s intellectual property and commercialization efforts, including invention disclosures, licensing, startups, and corporate engagement.
  • Strengthen innovation infrastructure by building partnerships with legal counsel, incubators, investors, and university innovation stakeholders.
  • Develop commercialization policies and training that reflect national best practices and innovation goals.

Innovation Ecosystem Building and External Engagement (15%)

  • Represent Howard University in innovation-related forums with government, industry, and philanthropy.
  • Cultivate external partnerships with corporations, startups, and federal agencies to support research translation and industry collaboration.
  • Promote the university’s research capabilities, innovation successes, and research impact.

Institutional Capacity & Compliance (5%)

  • Partner with legal, finance, and compliance units to ensure alignment with federal, state, and university regulations related to research and IP.
  • Monitor and evaluate internal systems to ensure compliance and risk management related to research and innovation activities.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

  • Strategic leadership in a research-intensive academic or institutional setting.
  • Deep knowledge of federal funding structures (e.g., NIH, NSF, DoD, DOE) and technology transfer processes.
  • Ability to manage diverse, high-functioning teams across research development and commercialization.
  • Excellent relationship-building skills with faculty, university leadership, and external partners.
  • Strong policy development, operational oversight, and innovation ecosystem experience.
  • Commitment to inclusive excellence in research and innovation.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

  • Master’s degree required; PhD, JD, or MBA strongly preferred.
  • At least 10-12 years of progressive experience in research development, administration, or strategy within a higher education, nonprofit, or government setting.
  • Demonstrated success in leading teams, securing external funding, and developing research support infrastructure.
  • Strong understanding of federal funding agencies, sponsor priorities, and institutional research competitiveness.
  • Experience collaborating with or supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, or industry partnerships in an academic setting.
  • Ability to lead and integrate multiple functional teams (e.g., research development, proposal support, commercialization) in alignment with institutional strategy.
  • Exceptional communication, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Experience working with research strategies that impacted research innovation, technology transfer, commercialization, startup support, or the ability to build key partnerships.

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Expected Pay Range: $227,272 – $250,000

How to apply

Apply now

To study at Howard University is choosing an institution that is experienced, dynamic, and diverse – with a tradition of quality education since 1867 provided by the constant engagement of its faculty toward the students and their needs, and by its rich campus social and cultural life.