Director, Research Computing & Innovation

EDUCAUSE; Corvallis (OR); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

EDUCAUSE in Corvallis, Oregon, seeks an Executive Director, Research Computing Office, to provide strategic leadership for OSU’s research computing services, guiding program management, partnerships with industry and academia, and responsible for sustainable service models across multiple centers and programs.

The role reports to senior university leadership and collaborates with the CIO and VPRI to align research computing priorities with institutional goals, emphasizing inclusive excellence

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field — science, engineering, data science, public administration, business, or a related discipline — or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience in a research-intensive, technical, or higher-education environment, including support for research programs, data-intensive work, or technology-enabled services.
• 10+ years in a leadership or supervisory role, including responsibility for coordinating staff, programs, or operational activities.
• Demonstrated executive leadership of a complex research computing, digital research, cyberinfrastructure, AI, or technology organization serving a large research enterprise.
• Experience leading organizational transformation across multiple organizational boundaries.
• Experience developing long-term strategic partnerships.
• Demonstrated experience managing programs, services, or projects — coordinating resources, timelines, and deliverables.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders (faculty, researchers, technical staff, administrators), and influencing executive leaders, faculty governance and external stakeholders.
• Experience supporting research activities, including familiarity with proposal development, research programs, or large-scale initiatives.
• Experience contributing to budget management, financial planning, or cost-recovery / service-based models within established guidelines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to translate complex concepts for broad audiences and facilitate collaboration.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing inclusive excellence in the workplace and/or through programmatic efforts.
• Experience working within or alongside governance structures — resource-allocation frameworks, committee-based decision processes, or shared-service governance models in a complex organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational development, coordination, and delivery of RCO services: supervise staff and day-to-day operations; build and maintain the service portfolio and catalog aligned to faculty needs; develop trusted partnerships with faculty in collaboration with the Senior Faculty Advisor to identify emerging research needs, shape future services, and ensure research computing evolves alongside the university’s priorities; manage operational budgets and shape cost-recovery and sustainability models including long-term financial sustainability; grow Research Software Engineering (RSE) capabilities; embed governance, compliance, and security in coordination with the Chief Information Security Officer and the Associate Vice President for Research Integrity; and renew and expand infrastructure through grants and national HPC partnerships.
• Develop partnerships, programs, and engagement that expand awareness and adoption of research computing: build collaborative relationships with colleges, centers, and administrative units; develop partnerships with industry, government, and peer institutions; support funding opportunities alongside faculty and research development teams; represent RCO in internal and external forums; align messaging and priorities with the VPRI, CIO, and Huang Complex leadership; and promote inclusive participation, including outreach to groups underrepresented in STEM.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Policy & governance

Research computing experience

Communication skills

Partnership development

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master’s degree or higher

Job description

EDUCAUSE in Corvallis, Oregon, seeks an Executive Director, Research Computing Office, to provide strategic leadership for OSU’s research computing services, guiding program management, partnerships with industry and academia, and responsible for sustainable service models across multiple centers and programs.

The role reports to senior university leadership and collaborates with the CIO and VPRI to align research computing priorities with institutional goals, emphasizing inclusive excellence