Director of Research & Innovation

Director of Research & Innovation

The Director of Research & Innovation is a senior leadership position focused on shaping and advancing the Institute's research portfolio. In close partnership with the Executive Director and the Manager of Strategy and Engagement, this position co-develops the long-term, interdisciplinary, and mission-aligned research programs that align with the Institute's mission and The University of Texas at Austin's strategic priorities. This role ensures continuity by building research infrastructure and advancing innovation in research delivery.

Serving as a trusted advisor and institutional steward, this position strengthens cross-campus and external collaborations, leads research initiatives, and fosters a culture of translational, problem-focused research that delivers real-world impact. The role works collaboratively across teams to ensure that research efforts are coordinated, measurable and sustainable. They are also a skilled writer and communicator, able to synthesize complex ideas into compelling reports and documents for diverse audiences.

Purpose

To advance the Institute's research portfolio in alignment with The University of Texas at Austin's strategic goals. This position involves strategic planning, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and driving innovation in research delivery to produce real-world impact.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Institutional Alignment : Partner with the Executive Director to shape and refine the Institute's research vision and long-term strategy. Collaborate with the Manager of Strategy and Engagement to align research planning, institutional priorities, and operational goals. Translate research goals into actionable programs, ensuring cohesion across leadership with broader University initiatives. Support coordination with internal stakeholders.
• Research Strategy & Program Oversight : Lead the design, launch, and ongoing evolution of interdisciplinary research funding programs across the university. Develop clear and transparent selection, evaluation, and reporting processes to maintain accountability and impartiality. Identify new funding opportunities and collaborate with faculty and external partners to pursue grants, contracts, and philanthropic support. Champion the development of research projects that produce translational outcomes and public value, in alignment with UT's strategic goals.
• Campus-Wide Research Engagement : Cultivate strong relationships with colleges, centers, and researchers across the UT Austin ecosystem. Serve as a champion for cross-disciplinary, problem-focused collaboration. Act as a liaison between the Institute and academic units to align research activities with institutional priorities.
• Innovation in Research Delivery & Knowledge Mobilization : Pilot and evaluate innovative approaches to research, such as applied research, community partnerships, and open science. Leverage technology and cross-sector partnerships to improve the relevance and reach of research outputs. Monitor trends in translational research, public scholarship, and innovation to inform Institute strategy.
• Institutional Development & Sustainability : Contribute to long-term strategy, capacity building, and succession planning for the Institute's research mission. Collaborate with the Executive Director to ensure alignment across all research functions. Help development durable partnerships, funding mechanisms, and frameworks that extend the Institute's research impact over time.
• Research Communication & Writing : Lead or contribute to the development of high-quality proposals, research reports, and white papers. Translate complex research findings into accessible formats for policymakers, funders, and the public. Ensure excellence, clarity, and consistency in all research communications produced by the Institute.

Required Qualifications

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Salary Range

$170,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

Work Shift

Required Materials

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers : You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers : As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

Employment Eligibility : Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion / transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility : The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks : A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer : The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency : The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification : If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify : The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following :