Florida State University (FSU) seeks a strategic and experienced leader to serve as the next Assistant/Associate Vice President (AVP) for Research Administration.
FSU is a premier public research institution (R1) located in Tallahassee, the heart of Florida’s capital. Florida State University is a top 25 public university (2025 US News and World Report) and is ranked the number 1 public university for student experience (2025 Princeton Review). FSU enrolls over 45,000 students and is strategically focused on growing its graduate and professional student population. FSU continues to expand its research footprint across disciplines and reported over $460 million in research expenditures in fiscal year 2024. With strategic hires of preeminent faculty and continual investments from the institution, FSU is on track to grow over 5% for FY2025.
As a member of the executive leadership team within the Division of Research, the AVP for Research Administration provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all sponsored research activities at FSU. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Research, this role is pivotal in shaping the university’s research infrastructure and ensuring compliance, efficiency, and excellence in research administration.
The AVP for Research Administration oversees research activities for the University, including application submissions, contracting, post-award activities, research accounting, and contract compliance activities. In addition, the position liaises with governmental entities and is responsible for cost reporting, uniform guidance reporting, audit support, recharge centers, sub-recipient monitoring, space monitoring, and effort reporting.
The AVP for Research Administration presents an exceptional opportunity for an experienced and visionary leader to join a dynamic team and elevate the University’s research administration infrastructure. The AVP will focus on fostering operational excellence through process innovation and systems development, while collaborating across the University to collectively achieve our goals.
Qualifications: Proven leadership in sponsored research administration, strategic planning, and electronic research administration systems. Extensive knowledge of Research Administration functions, including financial management, grants management, and grant submission processes and procedures, is required. Certified Research Administrator (CRA), experience serving as Key Personnel on a federally funded sponsored award and/or clinical trial management is preferred.
A master’s degree and at least 6 years of progressive experience is required. A terminal degree is preferred.
WittKieffer is assisting Florida State University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by December 1, 2025. All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.
Applications materials, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to: Jessica Herrington and Cathryn Davis at: [email protected].
This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check.