Director, Office of Secure Research

Director, Office of Secure Research

The Ohio State University

Columbus, OH

 

The Office of Secure Research (OSR) has oversight of Ohio State’s compliance with export and national security related regulations and obligations including compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the National Industry Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM).

 

The Director is responsible for the leadership and operational management of OSR. The Director will oversee the university's compliance with export and national security-related regulations and obligations, and works closely with internal university stakeholders to ensure compliance with federal requirements intended to prevent and mitigate undue foreign influences on research integrity.

In this role, the individual leads a team that works to develop and implement strategic plans that posture the university to perform more controlled and classified research. The Director will be responsible for developing the plan to increase the needed security infrastructure to accomplish this aim. The Director will engage nationally to stay abreast of pending and proposed regulations and policies that may affect Ohio State activity and implement best secure research practices at peer institutions. Helps coordinate communication with federal regulatory and law enforcement agencies to strengthen the university and the agencies' relationship, facilitate interactions between the agencies and university faculty, and increase the education regarding the university's fundamental research objectives. The Director will lead the risk assessment process related to international engagements, export controls, and national security concerns. This position will report to the SVP for Research, with functional reporting to the VP and Chief Compliance Officer.

 

Performance Objectives Overview:

 

  1. Provides leadership to the OSR team and the overall operations of OSR, including outreach efforts related to secure research programs and determining and executing clear strategies for the university to perform more controlled and classified research.
  2. Oversees compliance with National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) guidelines, export control regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
  3. Oversees investigations of alleged improper foreign influence, export control, or other national security, foreign or economic policy regulations.
  4. Works with university leadership to provide guidance and accept new practices, concepts, and approaches to secure research: guides university senior leadership and administrators on implementing and interpreting secure research compliance requirements.
  5. Develops outreach strategies to build awareness and support. Directs staff to execute guidelines and training to departments whose activity may intersect with export, foreign influence, and national security regulations and requirements, including but not limited to faculty, Technology Commercialization, Sponsored Programs, Unit IT departments, etc.

 

Experience Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
  • At least 10 years of experience and knowledge leading and performing secure research operations to align with institutional, state, and federal compliance requirements including experience in a research university environment.
  • 5+ years of experience and knowledge in Export Controls.
  • 5+ years of leadership experience in supervision and development of staff.
  • 7+ years’ experience in successfully leading compliance initiatives related to secure classified research.
  • Ability to organize and lead projects requiring integration of efforts across many internal and external entities.
  • Superior written and verbal communication skills.
  • Excellent leadership, organizational and problem solving skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively.

 

Desired Qualifications include:

  • Highly desirable if candidate currently holds a security clearance at the Collateral Secret level, are within a year of having one, or are eligible to hold one.
  • Experience working with sponsored research and compliance issues in higher education; ability to develop strong relationships. Ability to exercise authority through influencing others.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, operate with ambiguities and communicate to a complex set of audiences.
  • Ability to provide strategic leadership to the organization.
  • Promotes, supports, and fosters a culture of integrity, engagement, and collaboration.

 

Closing Statement:

The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.

 

How to Apply:

For more details and to apply, please visit https://osujoblinks.com/2jc1