Research Programs Director (Director of Research Compliance) - Grants and Research
POSITION DETAILS
The CUNY School of Medicine (SoM) located in the heart of Harlem, New York, in the only medical school in the City University of New York system and the only public medical school in Manhattan. Building upon 50 years of success as the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, the institution transitioned to the CUNY School of Medicine in 2016. The CUNY SoM offers an accelerated BS/MD degree (7-year program) and a Physician Assistant Master's Degree (27 months program). True to its legacy of access, opportunity, and community transformation, the medical school's mission remains to recruit highly talented students as diverse as New York City itself. CUNY SoM places a special emphasis on the recruitment of those who are underrepresented in the field of medicine and on training high quality, culturally competent health professionals and scientists equipped to address the healthcare needs of New York's medically under-served communities. As a major priority, CUNY SoM also seeks to enhance the recruitment and retention of senior leadership, faculty, and staff to more closely reflect the diversity of our student body.
Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean of Research, the Director of Research Compliance provides strategic leadership, oversight, and administration of the institution's comprehensive Research Compliance Program. The Director ensures institutional compliance with federal, state, local, sponsor, and institutional regulations governing research activities. This position develops and implements compliance policies, manages institutional compliance programs, promotes ethical research practices, and collaborates with faculty, administrators, and regulatory agencies to support a culture of responsible research.
The Director of Research Compliance duties include but are not limited to the following responsibilities:
LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGIC PLANNING
Provide leadership for the institution's Research Compliance Program.
Develop and implement strategic initiatives to strengthen research compliance and research integrity.
Advise institutional leadership on regulatory requirements, compliance risks, and emerging issues.
Develop long-term goals, performance metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
RESEARCH COMPLIANCE OVERSIGHT
Provide oversight, coordination, and guidance for institutional research compliance programs, including: Human Research Protection Program (HRPP)/ Institutional Review Board (IRB), Animal Care and Use Program (IACUC), Biosafety and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), Conflict of Interest (COI) and Conflict of Commitment, Export Controls, Data Privacy, Security, Confidentiality and Research Agreements.
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
Ensure institutional compliance with applicable federal, state, local, sponsor, and institutional regulations.
Monitor changes in regulatory requirements and implement necessary policy and operational updates.
Interpret regulations and provide guidance to investigators, administrators, and institutional leadership.
Coordinate institutional responses to regulatory inspections, audits, and accreditation activities.
POLICY DEVELOPMENT
Develop, implement, and maintain research compliance policies procedures, guidance documents, and standard operating procedures.
Review and update institutional policies to reflect regulatory changes and best practices.
Promote consistency across all research compliance programs.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Develop and oversee comprehensive research compliance education and training programs.
Provide training to faculty, staff, students, administrators, and compliance committee members.
Promote a culture of research integrity, ethical conduct, and regulatory compliance.
COMPLIANCE MONITORING AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
Develop compliance monitoring and internal audit programs.
Evaluate institutional compliance through audits, quality assurance reviews, and risk assessments.
Recommend corrective and preventive actions.
Monitor implementation of corrective action plans.
INVESTIGATIONS AND REPORTING
Oversee investigations involving research non-compliance, research misconduct, protocol deviations, and reportable events.
Coordinate required reporting to federal agencies, sponsors, and institutional officials.
Maintain documentation consistent with regulatory requirements.
COLLABORATION
Partner with academic leadership, legal counsel, sponsored programs, grants administration, information technology, environmental health and safety, risk management, and institutional compliance offices.
Serve as a liaison with federal agencies, sponsors, accreditation organizations, and collaborating institutions.
Represent the institution on research compliance committees and advisory groups.
PERSONNEL AND OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
Supervise research compliance staff and compliance committee administrators.
Manage departmental budgets and operational resources.
Establish performance expectations and support staff development.
Oversee implementation and maintenance of electronic research administration systems.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience required, as well as a thorough knowledge of governmental regulations and compliance requirements and grant and contract management.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS
Master'sdegreeorhigherinresearchadministration,publicadministration,law,publichealth, healthcare administration, biomedical sciences, or a related field.
Sevenormoreyearsofprogressivelyresponsibleexperienceinresearchadministrationor research compliance.
Supervisoryandleadershipexperience.
Demonstratedknowledgeoffederal regulationsgoverningresearchcompliance.
CertifiedIRBProfessional(CIP),CertifiedResearchAdministrator(CRA),CertifiedClinical Research Professional (CCRP), or other relevant certification.
Experienceleadingmultipleinstitutionalresearchcomplianceprograms.
Experiencewithaccreditationandregulatoryinspections.
Experienceimplementingelectronicresearch administrationsystems.
Comprehensive knowledge of research compliance regulations and best practices.
Strong leadership, organizational, and strategic planning skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to interpret complex regulations and provide practical guidance.
Strong, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, administrators, sponsors, and regulatory agencies.
Dedication to refine an environment of ethical, compliant, and responsible research.
CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW
Provides campus-wide leadership and administrative support in the development and administration of grants and contracts.
Manages grants, research projects and proposals, and pre- and post-award activities.
Participates in short- and long-term planning of research programs that meet academic and institutional priorities.
Identifies and analyzes potential funding sources.
Oversees grant development activities, policies, and procedures.
Reports on the advancement and completion of research projects to senior management and outside organizations.
Provides fiscal oversight related to research programs.
Oversees compliance with internal and external policies and regulations.
Directs professional development, information sharing, and collaborative communications related to research campus-wide.
Manages the unit's staff.
Performs related duties as assigned.
CUNY TITLE
Higher Education Officer
FLSA
Exempt
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Salary Range: $95,094 - $160,827
Salary commensurate with education and experience.
CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.
HOW TO APPLY
Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID: 32809 or Title: Research Programs Director (Director of Research Compliance). Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.
Candidates should provide a resume and cover letter.
CLOSING DATE
Open until October 6, 2026.
JOB SEARCH CATEGORY
CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.
Job ID: 32809
Location: CUNY School of Medicine
Job Type: Full-Time
