Job Description

Posting number: 2026-02000

Department: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation System

Job classification: ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT

Posting type: Open

Categories: Human Resources, Natural Resources, Research

Summary

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 effectively both orally and in writing with internal and external constituencies. Ability to comprehend and interpret administrative directives and guidance to ensure IT operations align with organizational standards and industry best practices.

VIII. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience as a manager at a major research organization or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of policies and objectives of external funding agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to advance complex initiatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge of University of Hawai‘i research programs, policies and procedures.

TO APPLY:

Click on the “APPLY” button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application.

Candidates must also submit/attach:

1. Cover Letter summarizing the candidate’s interest and qualifications for the position
2. Resume
3. Names of four (4) professional references, including title and contact information

Note: If you have not applied for a position using NeoGov, you will need to create an account. References will not be contacted without prior notice to the candidate. A background check will be made prior to employment.

For best consideration, please apply by the first review date of November 1, 2026.

INQUIRIES

Chad Walton, Vice President for Research and Innovation; cwalton@hawaii.edu

Examples of duties

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/