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.
