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Executive Director, IRB Office

Employer
Northwestern University
Location
Illinois, United States
Salary
Not specified
Date posted
Jun 5, 2017

View more

Position Type
Executive, Executive Directors
Employment Level
Executive
Employment Type
Full Time

Northwestern University (www.northwestern.edu) invites nominations and applications for the position of Executive Director, IRB Office.

 

The Executive Director, who reports to the Associate Vice President for Research, is a critical member of the management team in the Office for Research, which provides comprehensive research support and compliance services to the entire University.  The Executive Director’s primary responsibilities are to provide strategic vision for the human research program, effectively manage the IRB Office, and ensure outstanding service to Northwestern’s research community.

 

The Executive Director oversees the strategic direction and daily operations of the IRB Office, which maintains approximately 5,000 active protocols (62% biomedical; 38% social/behavioral). The Executive Director is responsible for the administration of the University’s Human Research Protection Plan (HRPP) and serves as the Human Protection Administrator (HPA).  The Executive Director oversees a management team responsible for providing direction, training and consultation to IRB Office staff, IRB members and the research community regarding applicable regulations, current issues and ethical concerns.  In its current organizational structure, the Executive Director position has five direct reports. The IRB Office has a total staff of approximately 20. Northwestern secured AAHRPP accreditation in 2017.

 

The Executive Director chairs the IRB Chairs’ Committee, serves as an observer/consultant to the IRB meetings, and remains fully versed in relevant regulations as well as University policies and procedures.  As a critical member of the management team of the VP for Research, the Executive Director collaborates with other offices within the Office for Research and with other University offices at central, school and department levels.  The Executive Director works to maintain continual process improvement so as to enhance service to the research community.

 

The Executive Director is also expected to continue to build a national presence in human-participant protections and regulatory compliance and to represent the University at state and federal levels as well as with other major research universities.

 

Desired qualifications include a JD, MD, or PhD; experience with Huron Click electronic research systems; and relevant experience at an academic medical center or health system. Required qualifications include a graduate-level degree or at least 10 years of experience managing an IRB function, including budget oversight, and in-depth knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to human-participant research. Experience interacting with federal oversight agencies (OHRP, FDA) is important, as is experience with an AAHRPP-accredited IRB. Candidates must possess strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills and a commitment to the highest standards of ethical conduct.

 

As one of the country’s leading private research and teaching universities, Northwestern has three main campuses in Chicago, Evanston, and Doha, Qatar.  Founded in 1851, the University has about 8,000 full-time undergraduates, 8,000 full-time graduate students, and 3,000 part-time students in 12 schools and colleges.  In FY 2016, Northwestern’s research program was awarded nearly $649 million in funding. For more information about Northwestern’s research strengths and its Office for Research, visit http://www.research.northwestern.edu.

 

Opus Partners is assisting Northwestern University in this search. Please contact Craig Smith, Partner, or Marisea Rivera, Associate, to apply or to seek additional information: craig.smith@opuspartners.net / marisea.rivera@opuspartners.net.

 

Northwestern University is an Affirmative Action / EEOC employer. Women and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply.

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