Job Description
During the 2024 fiscal year, researchers at the University of Notre Dame submitted 1,310 proposals for external research funding for a total amount of $1.016 billion — the first time the University has surpassed the billion-dollar mark for proposals. In addition, the University received 829 separate awards — the largest number on record. With $223 million in total funding, these awards propelled the University past the $200 million mark for the fourth straight year. To support this immense growth, Notre Dame Research is recruiting talented research administration professionals to enhance the team that will steward our research enterprise into its next phase.
Come grow with us!
Notre Dame Research Administration and Compliance ( NDRAC ) is seeking a Director for Research Security who will oversee the design, development, implementation, and monitoring of an effective, best-in-class Research Security, Facility Security, and Export Control program. The Director will coordinate institution-wide initiatives to monitor and manage Notre Dame’s response to the current regulatory, enforcement, and risk environment.
Working collaboratively with cross-functional stakeholders, the Director will lead and coordinate efforts across the University to develop and update policies and procedures for compliance and monitor ongoing compliance with those policies and procedures. The Director will also lead and coordinate education and training efforts across the institution’s research community and conduct routine audits and assessments of Notre Dame’s Research Security and Export Control program to ensure continuous improvement and appropriate compliance controls. The Director is also responsible for ensuring that Notre Dame’s research security program is consistent with Federal requirements.
The Director will lead Notre Dame’s responsible approach to foreign engagement with appropriate vetting and due diligence while allowing the institution and its researchers to responsibly embrace opportunities that are consistent with the University’s mission, values, and policies. The Director will provide full counsel and support of Notre Dame’s faculty, students, and personnel in promoting a robust but secure, international research environment.
The Director will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that an effective research security program is implemented and managed. University partners include but are not limited to the Offices of the Provost, the Vice President for Research, the Vice President for Information Technology, the General Counsel, the Chief Audit Executive, and the Vice President for Human Resources. Additionally, the Director will work closely with the University’s Associate Deans for Research and other research leaders across campus. The Director will integrate and align the research security effort into the existing oversight and support systems. External stakeholders may include law enforcement, Federal sponsor contracting and/or intelligence officials, and other research institutions.
The ideal candidate will have prior experience in research security and export control in a university setting. The Director will have the knowledge, experience, and communication skills to both explain ‘security’ to stakeholders with little experience in security and to represent Notre Dame’s research security to external funding and regulatory entities. Knowledge of the build-out process and accreditation of classified facilities is a plus. Clearance, background, and residence requirements: Candidates must be a US Citizen. Candidates must possess or be eligible to obtain an active US Government security clearance at the Secret level.
For the right candidate, this position is remote- or hybrid-eligible, with some regular travel to campus.
Notre Dame Research is committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity and ensures that members of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome, and included.
We strive to achieve a culture of openness, autonomy, and belonging; making Notre Dame an exceptional place for our team, partners, and collaborators to flourish.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 10 years of directly relevant experience in research administration and compliance, export controls, intelligence, counterintelligence, export compliance or information security, or a relevant combination.
- Or master’s degree in a related field and 8 years of directly relevant experience.
- Experience should include management, training, compliance, policy development, and applicable protection of US Government-controlled information.
Skills
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply Federal regulations as they pertain in an academic research environment.
- Demonstrated ability to interact with faculty, staff and students in a diverse, multicultural environment.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple work demands and set priorities, exercising sound, ethical and independent judgment.
- Demonstrated ability to interact and influence at all levels of an organization and to work collaboratively across functions and departments toward shared objectives.
Clearance, Background, And Residence Requirements
- Candidates must be a US Citizen. Candidates must possess or be eligible to obtain an active US Government security clearance at the Secret level.
Preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience working at an academic research institution.
- Ability to collaborate with information technology to develop solutions addressing data security, e.g., NIST and/or DoD cybersecurity requirements.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Department Notre Dame Research Administration (43100)
Department Website research.nd.edu
Family / Sub-Family Research / Research Security
Career Stream/Level M 2 Manager
FLSA Status S1 - FT Exempt
