Senior Advisor - Chief Research Operating Officer (CROO)

Georgia Institute of Technology; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 164,000 - 277,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Tech is seeking a Senior Advisor to the Chief Research Operating Officer (CROO) to act as an executive-level partner, translating strategic priorities into coordinated action across research administration, compliance, infrastructure, finance, and related functions.

You will help set goals, align resources, assess performance, and guide pay decisions, while interacting with staff and faculty to drive institutional growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related discipline or equivalent, related experience.
• 10+ years of relevant experience; 6+ years of supervisory knowledge; preferred to have at least 2 years at the director-level
• Strong executive presence, institutional savvy; ability to influence without formal authority.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive-level support and serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the CROO, with matters related (but not limited) to strategic priorities, organizational effectiveness, and performance management.
• Represent the CROO in internal and external engagements, as appropriate. Help to communicate priorities, decisions, and expectations across stakeholder groups. Support alignment with Institute-wide research priorities and initiatives.
• Provide early identification and resolution of institutional and operational risks. Monitor emerging issues related to CROO and EVPR operations. Work with others to Develop proactive mitigation strategies.
• Translate strategic priorities into structured execution plans and measurable outcomes. Help manage key initiatives related to operational excellence and strategic initiatives.
• Complete special analyses and projects at the direction of the CROO.
• Provide analyses and reporting on current, projected, and budgetary financial information.
• Promote organizational alignment, integration, and coordination across CROO and EVPR functions. Facilitate collaboration across sponsored programs, compliance, research security, IT, finance, and space functions. To improve processes and service. Support change management and organizational transitions.
• Advance a data-informed approach to research operations and decision-making. Support development of KPIs, dashboards, and reporting frameworks to enable use of metrics for performance management. Translate data into insights.
• Strengthen CROO leadership team effectiveness and governance practices through support of design and execution of leadership team engagement cadences, agendas, and decision tracking; monitor commitments and ensure follow-through across leadership; promote disciplined, outcomes-oriented management practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Executive presence

Analytics

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Change management

Leadership

Influence

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

About Us

Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our strategic plan. These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

Overview

Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our strategic plan. These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

About Us

Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our strategic plan. These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

About Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nations top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school.

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:

• Students are our top priority.
• We strive for excellence.
• We thrive on diversity.
• We celebrate collaboration.
• We champion innovation.
• We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
• We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
• We act ethically.
• We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Department Information

The Office of the Chief Research Operations Officer (CROO) supports Georgia Techs $1.5 billion research enterprise by coordinating all areas of research administration and operational support. This includes governing research operations strategy, driving operational initiatives, overseeing research administration processes, strengthening service delivery, and aligning people, systems, and initiatives across research operations. The CROO oversees the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), the Office of Research Integrity Assurance (ORIA), the Office of Research Development (ORD), the Office of Research Operations and Infrastructure (ROI), and the Office of the CROO. Together, these functions underpin proposal and award administration, research compliance and integrity, research development, systems & data, research education & outreach, research space & infrastructure, operations, and continuous improvement in support of faculty, staff, and institutional research goals.

Job Summary

The Senior Advisor to the Chief Research Operating Officer (CROO) serves as a strategic advisor and execution partner, extending the CROO's capacity to lead and deliver on Georgia Tech's research enterprise priorities. This role operates at the intersection of strategy, operations, and institutional alignment-translating executive priorities into coordinated action across research administration, compliance, infrastructure, finance, and related functions. Acting as a central integrator across the Office of Research, the Senior Advisor ensures key initiatives advance, leadership remains aligned, and operational performance improves in support of research growth, compliance readiness, and institutional excellence. The role enables the CROO to focus on strategic leadership and external engagement by driving execution, managing cross-functional initiatives, and providing high-quality decision support. Responsible for establishing group/departmental/division goals, determining the resources needed to meet those goals, assessing performance providing feedback, and making pay decisions. Typically, will interact consistently with: Staff & Faculty. Typically, will advise and counsel: Staff & Faculty. Supervise: Staff &/or faculty.

Responsibilities

Job Duty 1 -

Provide executive-level support and serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the CROO, with matters related (but not limited) to strategic priorities, organizational effectiveness, and performance management.

Job Duty 2 -

Represent the CROO in internal and external engagements, as appropriate. Help to communicate priorities, decisions, and expectations across stakeholder groups. Support alignment with Institute-wide research priorities and initiatives.

Job Duty 3 -

Provide early identification and resolution of institutional and operational risks. Monitor emerging issues related to CROO and EVPR operations. Work with others to Develop proactive mitigation strategies.

Job Duty 4 -

Translate strategic priorities into structured execution plans and measurable outcomes. Help manage key initiatives related to operational excellence and strategic initiatives.

Job Duty 5 -

Complete special analyses and projects at the direction of the CROO.

Job Duty 6 -

Provide analysis and reporting on current, projected, and budgetary financial information.

Job Duty 7 -

Promote organizational alignment, integration, and coordination across CROO and EVPR functions. Facilitate collaboration across sponsored programs, compliance, research security, IT, finance, and space functions. To improve processes and service. Support change management and organizational transitions.

Job Duty 8 -

Advance a data-informed approach to research operations and decision-making. Support development of KPIs, dashboards, and reporting frameworks to enable use of metrics for performance management. Translate data into insights.

Job Duty 9 -

Strengthen CROO leadership team effectiveness and governance practices through support of design and execution of leadership team engagement cadences, agendas, and decision tracking; monitor commitments and ensure follow-through across leadership; promote disciplined, outcomes-oriented management practices.

Job Duty 10 -

Perform other duties as assigned.

Educational Requirements

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related discipline or equivalent, related experience

Required Experience

10+ years of relevant experience; 6+ years of supervisory knowledge; preferred to have at least 2 years at the director-level

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications

Master's degree in related discipline or equivalent, related experience

Preferred Experience

Advanced certification may be preferred or required

Abilities

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong executive presence; calm, credible, and highly trustworthy, with demonstrated judgment and discretion
• Deep understanding of university operations, including research administration, provost-related functions, academic units, finance, HR, IT, facilities, and capital planning
• Research administration familiarity, including sponsored programs, compliance, contracting, and faculty service models
• Proven ability to translate strategic priorities into operational plans, deliverables, and measurable outcomes

KNOWLEDGE

• Experience with performance management, analytics, dashboards, and data-informed decision-making
• Comfort with AI, analytics, workflow automation, and technology-enabled process improvement
• Exceptional emotional intelligence and institutional savvy; ability to influence without formal authority
• Proven effectiveness in ambiguous, high-pressure, and complex environments; strong change management capability. Demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional initiatives
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
• Extensive familiarity with the administrative management practices within the executive management level of higher education.
• Broad knowledge and understanding of university policies and procedures including operations, strategic planning, program/project management, and budget administration.

Contact Information

Questions about the position may be directed to Mitzi Wiliams, Divisional Director of HR, [e-mail]

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 .

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (“USG”) and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual's race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

Other Information

This is not a supervisory position.

This position does have financial responsibilities.

This position will not be required to drive.

This role is considered a position of trust.

This position does require a purchasing card (P-Card).

This position will not travel.

This position does not require security clearance.

R11

Atlanta, GA

The anticipated salary range of $163,795 - $276,814 will be commensurate with qualifications and education.

Background Check

Successful candidate must be able to pass a background and credit check. Please visit : https://usg.policystat.com/policy/19298143/latest