Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation

University-of-Hawaii-System; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 162,000 - 292,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Hawai‘i invites applications for the Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation at the Manoa Campus. Reporting to the Vice President for Research and Innovation, the AVP provides leadership for system-wide research programs and workforce development initiatives.

The role requires a doctorate or equivalent and extensive leadership experience in higher education, grants, and strategic planning, with authority to advance partnerships and budgets across UH campuses.

Qualifications

• Doctorate or equivalent degree from an accredited university.
• Five (5) years administrative experience in higher education or comparable management experience in an educational agency, private industry, or government office.
• Extensive knowledge of higher education research programs and related administrative structures and systems. Demonstrated successful record of initiating and obtaining public and private grants.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage cooperative teamwork, staff development, cross-functional collaboration, and budgetary control in a diverse workplace.
• Demonstrated ability to strategize, plan, organize, and manage the work of technical and professional subordinates to support and facilitate partnerships in research and higher education.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various constituents.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effective both orally

Responsibilities

• Supports the Vice President in maintaining the University’s research missions, goals, and activities in alignment with the UH strategic directions goals, metrics and efficiencies.
• Advises and oversees the development of short and long-range programs, plans, and objectives for partnerships in research, workforce and economic development, including efforts to increase community and private industry support, technology transfer, and commercialization of research. Leads and directs research initiatives and program development including and not limited to: Advanced manufacturing; Artificial intelligence; STEM education initiatives; Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program collaborations; and Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research/Institutional Development Award (EPSCoR/IDeA) programs.
• Collaborates in providing direction to an Office of Strategic Research Philanthropy. Work in close coordination with the University of Hawai‘i Foundation (UHF) on research philanthropic endeavors. Provides leadership support and guidance for development, implementation, and communication of research policies and procedures and program development.
• Oversees research revolving funds, service orders, and internal MOUs and indirect cost recovery negotiations in coordination with the Office for Research Services (ORS).
• Develops and recommends budget allocations and reallocations for research return of overhead funds, assuring that budgets are linked to strategic plans.
• Assumes the administrative and management responsibilities of the VPRI in their absence.
• Adheres to applicable laws, regulations, and policies and procedures of the University, raises awareness among staff, and directs them in such a way that University compliance requirements are met.
• Identifies and mitigates through policy development/revision/enhancement and training, areas of risk and developing risk to the University, e.g., legal, financial, reputation, and compliance risk, and ensure the team is aware and focused on addressing the same. Other duties as assigned.

Education

Doctorate or equivalent degree from an accredited university

Job description

Full-Time Permanent

Job Number

2026-02000

Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation System

Opening Date

09/18/2026

Description

Title: Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation
Position Number:0089006
Location: Manoa Campus
Posting Date:September 18, 2026
Closing Date: Continuous until filled. First review to begin on November 1, 2026.
Salary Information: SM-3, $162,156 to $291,885 annual
(Salary commensurate with qualifications & experience)
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent
Funding: General Funds

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

POSITION NO. 0089006

I. INTRODUCTION:

Reporting to the Vice President for Research and Innovation (VPRI), the Associate Vice President provides leadership and initiative for system-wide research and innovation programs and initiatives, and workforce and economic development. The position serves as the deputy to the Vice President and has full authority to make decisions and commitments on matters relating to research, workforce, and economic development activities at the University of Hawai‘i.

This position is responsible for assisting the VPRI in ensuring the advancement of the University’s missions and research goals. This position works in close coordination with all seven community colleges, three (3) baccalaureate campuses, as well as with system-wide offices that support the University’s research, workforce and economic development mission.

II. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supports the Vice President in maintaining the University’s research missions, goals, and activities in alignment with the UH strategic directions goals, metrics and efficiencies.

• Advises and oversees the development of short and long-range programs, plans, and objectives for partnerships in research, workforce and economic development, including efforts to increase community and private industry support, technology transfer, and commercialization of research. Leads and directs research initiatives and program development including and not limited to: Advanced manufacturing; Artificial intelligence; STEM education initiatives; Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program collaborations; and Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research/Institutional Development Award (EPSCoR/IDeA) programs.

• Collaborates in providing direction to an Office of Strategic Research Philanthropy. Work in close coordination with the University of Hawai‘i Foundation (UHF) on research philanthropic endeavors. Provides leadership support and guidance for development, implementation, and communication of research policies and procedures and program development.

• Oversees research revolving funds, service orders, and internal MOUs and indirect cost recovery negotiations in coordination with the Office for Research Services (ORS).

• Develops and recommends budget allocations and reallocations for research return of overhead funds, assuring that budgets are linked to strategic plans.

• Assumes the administrative and management responsibilities of the VPRI in their absence.

• Adheres to applicable laws, regulations, and policies and procedures of the University, raises awareness among staff, and directs them in such a way that University compliance requirements are met.

• Identifies and mitigates through policy development/revision/enhancement and training, areas of risk and developing risk to the University, e.g., legal, financial, reputation, and compliance risk, and ensure the team is aware and focused on addressing the same. Other duties as assigned. III. LIST OF DIRECT REPORTS: In accordance with the current official organizational chart.

IV. AUTHORITY AND DECISION-MAKING EXERICSED:

• Work is performed under the general supervision of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, University of Hawai‘i, with a wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative.

V. DIRECTION AND REVIEW OF WORK RECEIVED:

• Work is reviewed by the Vice President for Research and Innovation for quality of results achieved and managerial effectiveness.

VI. CONTACTS AND RELATIONSHIPS:

• Work requires extensive contact and dialogue with campuses, system offices, federal, state, and county agencies; private companies, corporations, funding agencies, large public organizations, non-profit entities; and continual interaction with researchers, distinguished philanthropists, foreign government representatives, and others.

• Work involves considerable contact with senior executives, administrators, Board of Regents, University of Hawai‘i Foundation managers, legislators, state executives and representatives of the community; for the purpose of facilitating business development and supporting partnerships in research, workforce and economic development for the university system.

VII. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Doctorate or equivalent degree from an accredited university.

• Five (5) years administrative experience in higher education or comparable management experience in an educational agency, private industry, or government office.

• Extensive knowledge of higher education research programs and related administrative structures and systems. Demonstrated successful record of initiating and obtaining public and private grants.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage cooperative teamwork, staff development, cross-functional collaboration, and budgetary control in a diverse workplace.

• Demonstrated ability to strategize, plan, organize, and manage the work of technical and professional subordinates to support and facilitate partnerships in research and higher education.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various constituents.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effective both orally