Job Details
Director of Research Compliance and Integrity - 221866
Director of Research Compliance and Integrity - 221866
Western Carolina University
Department: Sponsored Research
About WCU:
Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.
2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.
Position Summary:
The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).
The Director of Research Compliance and Integrity provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the universitys research compliance and integrity programs. This position is responsible for ensuring that research activities are conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, sponsor, and institutional requirements while promoting a culture of ethical research conduct, accountability, and continuous improvement. The Director oversees major compliance areas including human subjects research, animal care and use, biosafety, conflict of interest and commitment, export controls, research security, responsible conduct of research, and research integrity.
The position serves as the institutions subject matter expert and primary point of contact for export controls, research security, and national security compliance, and directs regulatory compliance programs related to IRB, IACUC, IBC, and other research protections. The Director also administers conflict of interest and conflict of commitment processes; receives, assesses, and manages allegations of research misconduct; and leads education, training, and outreach efforts designed to strengthen institutional understanding of research compliance expectations.
Operating with a high degree of autonomy, this position advises senior leadership on regulatory changes, compliance risks, policy implications, and risk mitigation strategies. The Director may serve in key institutional roles such as Research Integrity Officer, support the Institutional Official for IRB and IACUC programs as delegated, and support the Empowered Official for export controls. The position also leads cross-functional initiatives involving institutional leaders, external partners, and regulatory bodies to support effective compliance program management and the continued advancement of the universitys research mission.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The Director of Research Compliance and Integrity provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the universitys research compliance and integrity programs. This position is responsible for ensuring that research activities are conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, sponsor, and institutional requirements while promoting a culture of ethical research conduct, accountability, and continuous improvement. The Director oversees major compliance areas including human subjects research, animal care and use, biosafety, conflict of interest and commitment, export controls, research security, responsible conduct of research, and research integrity.
The position serves as the institutions subject matter expert and primary point of contact for export controls, research security, and national security compliance, and directs regulatory compliance programs related to IRB, IACUC, IBC, and other research protections. The Director also administers conflict of interest and conflict of commitment processes; receives, assesses, and manages allegations of research misconduct; and leads education, training, and outreach efforts designed to strengthen institutional understanding of research compliance expectations.
Operating with a high degree of autonomy, this position advises senior leadership on regulatory changes, compliance risks, policy implications, and risk mitigation strategies. The Director may serve in key institutional roles such as Research Integrity Officer, support the Institutional Official for IRB and IACUC programs as delegated, and support the Empowered Official for export controls. The position also leads cross-functional initiatives involving institutional leaders, external partners, and regulatory bodies to support effective compliance program management and the continued advancement of the universitys research mission.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Regulatory & Technical Expertise. Knowledge of research compliance requirements, regulatory frameworks, and institutional processes related to areas such as human subjects research, animal care and use, biosafety, conflict of interest and commitment, export controls, research security, and research integrity. Ability to interpret complex regulations and apply them to practical institutional operations.
- Leadership & Strategic Management. Ability to provide direction for compliance programs, guide institutional policy and procedure development, and support strategic decision-making. Demonstrated capacity to lead initiatives, coordinate stakeholders, and exercise sound judgment in a complex higher education environment.
- Investigative & Analytical Skills. Ability to assess allegations, compliance concerns, operational risks, and regulatory questions using sound judgment and appropriate discretion. Skilled in gathering information, identifying relevant issues, documenting findings, and supporting fair and thorough review processes.
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills. Ability to communicate clearly with faculty, staff, administrators, committees, external partners, and regulatory bodies. Skilled in explaining complex compliance requirements in an accessible manner and building effective working relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Time Management & Prioritization Skills. Ability to manage multiple compliance programs, deadlines, inquiries, investigations, and projects simultaneously. Demonstrated skill in prioritizing work, responding to urgent matters, and maintaining attention to detail in a high-volume environment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Interested candidates must already be legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require any immigration sponsorship or support.
- Masters degree in a relevant field such as research administration, public administration, higher education administration, health sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, law, compliance, ethics, or another field related to the duties of the position
- 3 years of experience in research administration or related field
- Prior supervisory or leadership experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- A terminal degree in a relevant field such as research administration, public administration, higher education administration, health sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, law, compliance, ethics, or another field related to the duties of the position
- 5 years of experience in research administration or related field
- Experience managing or supporting human subjects research via the institutional review board (IRB) reviews and procedures and/or animal research via the institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC)
- Certified IRB Professional
Position Type: Permanent Full-Time
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.
Please include a cover letter, current resume and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.
For questions or additional information please contact Billy Hutchings at wshutchings@email.wcu.edu
Please include a cover letter, current resume and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.
For questions or additional information please contact Billy Hutchings at wshutchings@email.wcu.edu
AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.
University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.
To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/34578
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