Associate Director

Overview

This position is budgeted for $7,083.33 - $7,916.67 per month depending on qualifications and is non-negotiable.

 

At San Diego State University's (SDSU’s) HealthLINK Center for Transdisciplinary Health Research (SDSU HealthLINK Center), our vision is to inspire transformational and collaborative research that promotes health and well-being for all people and communities. Our collective efforts are driven by a team that includes wide-ranging expertise at all levels of our organization. We are based a short 1.2 miles off the SDSU campus.  We offer comprehensive benefits that support the overall well-being and quality of life of our employees.

 

Funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) through a U54 Cooperative Agreement, the SDSU HealthLINK Center offers a wide range of research services, including expertise in multiple research methods, supporting varied research needs, and data analytics applications across the university to enhance health research. The SDSU HealthLINK Center supports research projects led by SDSU, SDSU Imperial Valley (SDSU IV), and SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF)  investigators, affiliated partner organizations, and industry partners, including those funded as Center Research Projects, as Pilot Projects, or who access our services through a cost recovery system.   

 

The Associate Director is a highly visible executive position that supports the Center’s Co-Directors in carrying out the Center’s mission to foster meaningful, high-quality, transdisciplinary research. The Associate Director will report to the Co-Directors but work at a high level of autonomy. The Associate Director will oversee the Center’s research administrative and programmatic functions and lead the Administrative Core to ensure the successful completion of the Center’s objectives. They will lead the orchestration of the annual progress report (RPPR) and supervise the management team in implementing various Center systems. Regular communication with Co-Directors, management team, and Core and Project Co-Leaders is essential to ensure activities are on target and deadlines are met. The Associate Director will ensure that the Center’s research and programmatic work is in compliance with institutional and federal guidelines. They will represent the Center in various forums, enhancing its visibility and expanding its network. This includes fostering strong relationships with administrative leadership across SDSU, SDSU IV, and SDSURF (e.g., Division of Research and Innovation, Grants and Contracts, Research Compliance, Deans’ offices, Provost), other centers in the Research Center for Minority Institutions (RCMI) Network, and NIMHD. 

 

The Associate Director will bring broad scientific knowledge and significant research administration experience to support the vision, mission, and values of the Center. The ideal candidate will have a master’s or doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent), demonstrate strategic thinking, and have senior-level research experience.

Responsibilities

The Associate Director is responsible for (but not limited to):

 

Leadership 35%

• In collaboration with the Executive team (Co-Directors & Management team), lead the successful completion of the Center’s Administrative Core and OVERALL Specific Aims. 
• Lead the orchestration of the annual progress report (RPPR), including leading the drafting of the Administrative Core and OVERALL sections. 
• Lead the submission of extramural funding applications, including renewal of the U54 cooperative agreement.
• Lead the Management team to implement Center systems of research administration, research compliance, information technology, finance, communication, evaluation, human resources, and facilities.
• Liaison between the Center and the Grants Management Specialist at NIMHD, responding to requests in a timely manner. 
• Lead Center efforts to ensure compliance with SDSU, SDSU IV, SDSURF, and federal guidelines.
• Provide strategic oversight and final approval of subcontracts and MOUs to ensure alignment with Center goals and compliance with institutional and federal regulations

 

Center Compliance and Coordination 35%

• Maintain routine contact with the Co-Directors, Core Co-Leaders, and Center Management to ensure coordination and administration of Center activities are on target and within established deadlines.
• When complex issues arise, collaborate with Center Co-Directors, Co-Leaders, and/or management and policy experts for resolution.
• Collaborate with the Research Manager and Budget and Finance Manager to support Center Research Project Leaders in implementing their project plans and ensuring compliance with funding agency requirements.