Associate Director, Research Compliance (HR Title: Assoc Dir Compliance)

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Associate Director of Research Compliance provides leadership, oversight, and operational management for the university's research compliance program.  Reporting to the Director of Research Compliance, the Associate Director ensures institutional compliance with federal and state regulations, sponsor requirements, and university policies governing research involving human subjects, animal subjects, biosafety, research integrity, conflict of interest, export controls, and other regulatory compliance areas. 

Essential Functions:

• Education & Outreach: Develop and deliver educational programs for faculty, students, and research staff. Create guidance documents, website content, SOPs and training materials.  Provide consultation to investigators regarding regulatory requirements and best practices. Promote a culture of ethical research and regulatory compliance across campus.
   

• Regulatory Oversight & Guidance: Ensure that all research activities comply with applicable regulations. Monitor changes in legislation and propose university research policies accordingly. Regularly review and propose updates to the university’s compliance policies in response to changing laws and regulations.
   

• Regulatory Committee Administration: Oversees administrative operations supporting institutional compliance committees. Ensure protocols are reviewed in accordance with regulatory timelines and institutional procedures.  serve as an advisor to committee chairs and members regarding regulatory requirements.
   

• Policy Development & Implementation: Draft and revise institutional policies, procedures, and guidance documents. Ensure policies remain consistent with federal regulations, state requirements, accreditation standards, sponsor expectations, and institutional goals.
   

• Project Improvement Initiatives: Coordinate with RIC team to maintain an electronic research compliance management system that manages the IRB, IACUC, IBC and FCOI components. Engage in continuous improvement projects that enhance and improve end-user compliance.
   

• Attend and participate in professional development opportunities; assists and participates in local and on-campus seminars and workshops developed for faculty, staff, and researchers; attends and participates in national and regional workshops and conferences sponsored by funding agencies and/or professional organizations, serving as a resource to other campus departments, faculty, and staff.
   

• Provide excellent customer service with all individuals both internal and external to SMU on research compliance issues. Work closely with Sponsored Projects Administration, Environmental Health & Safety, Graduate Studies, & Academic Departments. Represent Research Compliance on institutional committees and working groups.
   

• Supervise professional and administrative research compliance staff.  Hire, train, mentor and evaluate employees.  Establish performance goals and professional development plans and foster a collaborative and service-oriented work environment.
   

• This position primarily involves office work but may require occasional visits to various research departments and offices.