Executive Director, Research Integrity and Compliance

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Job Description Summary: Reporting to the Associate Provost for Research Integrity and Compliance (AP- RIC), the Executive Director, Research Integrity and Compliance is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing policies, procedures, and programs related to research integrity, ethics, compliance, research conflicts of interest and commitment, and research security. This includes oversight of the Responsible Conduct of Research Program, Research Compliance and Quality Assurance Program, and Research Conflict of Interest Program. The Executive Director provides leadership on research compliance across the GW research enterprise, and plays a key role in training researchers, staff, and students on ethics and compliance issues. The role supports the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance in adapting to a complex regulatory environment.

Posting Details

I. Job Overview

Reporting to the AP- RIC, the Executive Director develops and manages policies, procedures, and programs related to research integrity, ethics, compliance, conflicts of interest and commitment, and research security. Oversees the Research Compliance and Quality Assurance Office and provides leadership on research compliance across basic, applied, laboratory, and clinical research. Leads training on research ethics and compliance and helps define the scope of the Office’s work in response to regulatory changes. The Executive Director also serves as the institution’s Research Integrity Officer, investigating allegations of research misconduct and developing corrective actions as needed. Represents GW with regulatory agencies and external stakeholders on research integrity and compliance matters.

The position oversees department staff, ensuring quality and efficiency to meet strategic objectives. Responsibilities include staff engagement, budgeting, hiring/termination decisions, coaching, and policy development to ensure a safe and compliant work environment. The role emphasizes training, monitoring, and operational initiatives that ensure ethical and compliant practices and alignment with accreditation/regulatory requirements. Overall, the role supports high-quality, ethical development of GW’s research programs.

Specific Responsibilities

• Direct, develop, and implement strategic and operational policies and procedures related to research compliance; stay current with regulatory changes and advise on policy, procedures, and resource needs; collaborate with directors to develop standard operating procedures for compliance with federal, state, local, and institutional requirements.
• Develop, implement, and direct a research compliance, quality assurance, and monitoring function, including reviews of all GW research areas and internal assessments of regulatory procedures and approvals.
• Facilitate and ensure appropriate handling of allegations of research misconduct.
• Oversee RCR programming and education for faculty, staff, and students; provide resources to support responsible research conduct.
• Lead development and maintenance of a robust research conflict of interest program with education and training on disclosures per federal sponsor expectations and GW policy.
• Lead development and maintenance of a robust research security program, including policy and training on disclosures per sponsor expectations and GW policy.
• Collaborate on development of an export control program; assist in creating office communications and materials.
• Supervise research compliance officers responsible for conflicts of interest and data-related issues; oversee compliance programming across the research enterprise.
• Provide leadership to ensure engaged staff, conduct performance appraisals, support professional development, and recognize achievements.
• Support regulatory inspections of committee activity records and on-site facilities as needed.
• Identify opportunities to build strategic relationships across departments to achieve goals; promote teamwork and process improvements.
• Oversee department operations, scheduling, and project delivery; set priorities and standards to ensure high-quality service and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Drive safety, quality, and efficiency through process improvements and lean principles; model situational awareness and proactive problem solving.
• Lead initiatives to improve practice and operations; chair task forces and represent AP- RIC at professional meetings as needed; manage organizational change effectively.
• Conduct career development discussions with staff; maintain and review individual development plans (IDP).
• Perform other duties as assigned; duties are not limited to listed tasks.

To carry out these duties, the Executive Director will:

• Work closely with AP- RIC, OVPR leadership, General Counsel, Ethics, Compliance and Risk, Sponsored Projects, IT, and other offices as appropriate.
• Build and nurture relationships with related institutional offices and engage GW researchers, including research deans.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field with 10 years of relevant professional experience; a Master’s degree or higher is preferred. At least 2 years of senior leadership/executive experience is required. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten years of substantive experience in research compliance in higher education, a research institute, or a government regulatory agency with focus on research integrity.
• Experience in a higher education setting.
• Expertise in at least two research compliance areas with knowledge of others.
• Demonstrated experience interacting with regulatory agencies, accreditation bodies, or oversight organizations.
• Ability to maintain high professional conduct and integrity.
• Graduate degree in sciences or law.
• Experience managing internal investigations and designing RCR programming.
• Experience engaging with leadership and stakeholders on operational elements.
• Demonstrated supervisory/managerial experience.

Hiring Range $138,128.76 - $240,315.85

Job Details

• Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
• Department: Office of Vice President for Research (OVPR) – Research Integrity and Compliance
• Family: Research Administration
• Sub-Family: Research Compliance
• Stream: Executive
• Level: Level 1
• Full-Time
• Hours: 40+ per week; Schedule: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
• Onsite: Yes; Remote/Hybrid: Yes
• Background Check: Required

EEO Statement

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or other protected characteristics.

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