Associate Vice President, Data Strategy and Governance

Occupational Summary

 

Duke University’s Office for Research and Innovation (OR&I) is responsible for supporting research administration, services, and compliance at Duke University. Responsibilities include working with the main IT service providers—Office of Information Technology (OIT) and Duke Health Technology Services (DHTS)—to provide secure, compliant infrastructure and services to support a variety of research needs.

The Assistant Vice President for Data Strategy and Governance (AVP-DSG) will serve as the leader for developing and implementing strategies associated with research data governance, security, and compliance at Duke University. The AVP-DSG also oversees the development and operation of governance and policy infrastructure related to the use of administrative data for operational benefit and decision support. In this regard, the AVP-DSG will have primary responsibility for establishing and sustaining a Duke-wide culture of accountability and trust for the responsible and secure use of research and administrative data.

 

The AVP-DSG will report to the Vice President for Research and Innovation for all matters related to research data, with additional reporting to the Vice President for Information Technology & Chief Information Officer for Duke University on matters related to administrative data uses. To develop the strategies and governance models, the AVP-DSG will be responsible for collaborating and communicating with the research communities within the different schools, as well as deans, the Institutional Review Boards, University IT Security Office, Office of Audit, Risk and Compliance, Office of Counsel, and various business and administrative units, including individual research administration offices. The AVP-DSG will work closely with researchers, university data stewards, and professionals within OR&I, OIT, and DHTS.

 

The role focuses on developing and communicating a data governance framework that promotes the responsible and ethical uses of data—both research data and administrative data—with required levels of approval or accountability that are commensurate with risk. The role also is one of leadership in liaising with external entities and agencies regarding matters of data sharing and use.

 

The AVP-DSG will lead a small team with a focus on developing and communicating resources to help researchers identify appropriate technology services to use based on Duke’s Data Classification Standard. This work will be in close collaboration with IT Security professionals from OIT and research support professionals from OR&I. Given the increasing focus from both public and private funding agencies on protecting research data, strategies will need to be developed to address emerging requirements such as the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). The role requires excellent oral and writing skills, a collaborative and results-oriented attitude, and the curiosity required to stay up to date within a fast-paced field and environment.  Prior expertise in research security is desirable.

 

Work Performed

 

• In close collaboration with the Provost, Executive Vice Presidents, and Deans, develop and implement a framework for institutional data governance.
• Assess, on a continuing basis, the University’s ability and options to receive and manage research grants and contracts requiring compliance with federal and data provider security rules and certifications (e.g., CMMC or Export Control), including confidential, proprietary, classified, or other information with contractual obligations. In collaboration with the security offices, develop and implement procedures, training, and awareness efforts to ensure faculty and staff are prepared and capable of handling confidential or regulated information.
• In partnership with leadership, researchers (individually and through faculty-led research advisory boards), and University stakeholders, develop and implement Duke’s research data policies and procedures in alignment with external sponsor requirements. Create organization development and workforce planning strategies, frameworks, and tools.
• Serve as Duke University’s subject matter expert for research data governance and security processes, operating as the main contact responsible for attestation, certification, or audit requirements.
• Responsible for developing institutional communications to research faculty on emerging changes and requirements for research data security or compliance.
• Liaise with the central IT offices (OIT and DHTS) and their respective information security offices to develop, document, and communicate IT services available for researchers. Work closely with the vendor community associated with our research infrastructure to foster the best possible service for Duke, be aware of new opportunities, and provide the most cost-effective and efficient provision of services possible.
• Working with researchers, research governance stakeholders, and technology providers, review proposed research projects for security and compliance needs, matching the projects with available services, or determining if new or one-off solutions are needed.
• Work closely with investigators to understand their needs and advocate for their interests. Create new programs and services to progress investigator-led projects and reduce administrative barriers to research. Design policies and procedures that provide benefits from the vantage point of investigators while reducing risk and meeting the expectations of our sponsors.
• Liaise with federal and industry sponsors regarding funding arrangements for regulated or protected research.
• Make recommendations to leadership regarding Duke’s resourcing needs to support regulated research data governance, compliance, and security. Prepare operational reports and analysis, setting forth progress, adverse trends, and appropriate recommendations or conclusions.

 

Qualifications

 

Education/Training:

 

• Candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree with ten (10) or more years of directly relevant experience with research data governance.

Experience:

 

• Experience working in or with information technology, research governance and/or information security teams is a must.
• It is preferred that candidates possess a master’s degree, CRA, CIA, or CPA.

Professional Skills:

• Strong evidence of success as a leader and communicator.
• Excellent verbal, written, and analytical skills.
• Collaborative and solution oriented. 
• Able to work independently and in a team setting.  Proficient in quantitative and qualitative analysis and data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders including research faculty, contracting professionals, legal counsel, sponsored program and research compliance professionals and senior leadership of the University.
• A thorough understanding of federal and other external requirements associated with data security and compliance. 

 

 

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

 

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

 

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

 

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

 

 

JAQ Table

Skill/responsibility

%

Strategic planning, implementation, and communication of Duke’s research and administrative data framework(s)

50

Oversight of Duke’s research data policies and procedures

20

Internal/external stakeholder engagement and outreach activities

20

Staff and resource management

10

 

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

Education

A master's degree or doctorate in science,engineering, business, finance, higher education, or related field required.

 

Experience

Minimum of 10 years of combined experience in primary research and OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE preferred. progressive management roles in research administration at an institution of higher education. Experience in financial control systems, grants and contracts management, federal research compliance regulations, information tools, and all financial aspects relating to complex academic business systems is preferred. A strong background in quantitative approaches to scientific research and evidence of scholarship and depth of knowledge in research models is

 

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

 

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

 

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.