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Posting Detail Information

Working TitleDirector, IRISS

Position LocationFort Collins, CO

Work LocationPosition qualifies for hybrid/in-office work

Research Professional PositionNo

Posting Number202500656AP

Position TypeAdmin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification TitleManagement II

Number of Vacancies

Work Hours/Week40

Proposed Annual Salary Range$160,000 - $190,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

+ Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)

+ Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

+ For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

+ Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on06/08/2025

Description of Work Unit

The Institute for Research in the Social Sciences ( IRISS ) is a Level II Core Facility supported by the Office of the Vice President for Research and College of Liberal Arts at Colorado State University which aims to connect and support social scientists with other researchers, as well as university, community, and industry partners. IRISS staff are thought partners who provide robust social science research and collaboration tools to integrate community partners and researchers from all disciplines. IRISS collaborates with internal and external partners to enhance social science research capacity, improve grant competitiveness campus-wide, promote interdisciplinary research networking opportunities, and provide and support research methods training in support of the University’s land grant mission.

Position Summary

The Institute for Research in the Social Sciences Director is a full-time, twelve-month administrative professional leadership position that reports to the Associate Dean for Research, College of Liberal Arts. The Director may select to have a faculty affiliate appointment in an appropriate department in the College of Liberal Arts. Desire to maintain an active research program will be considered but is not required.

We seek an established leader with expertise in the field of applied social science who is committed to collaboration, networking, and team building. The institute collaborates on projects and services with colleagues across campus in the colleges of Agriculture Science, Liberal Arts, Business, Engineering, Health and Human Sciences, Natural Resources, Natural Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, as well as administrative divisions and departments.

A large number of state and federal government agencies, including CDC , USDA , NIH , NOAA , NPS , USGS , Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and others are located in the Northern Colorado area, providing strong opportunities to develop research and advancements in social sciences. Nongovernmental stakeholders, including industry/producer groups, are also key constituents served by research staff at the Institute.

The Institute’s mission is to empower research teams and partners to address complex challenges through innovative applied social science. Executing this mission demands broad experience across social science disciplines and a leader who can inspire social scientists at all career stages. This leader must forge powerful connections with both campus and external partners to deliver robust social science research that enhances the research capacity of our clients.

The Director will drive both existing and emerging research initiatives in the community and across campus that leverage collaboration with social scientists. This includes: forging strategic partnerships, alliances, and collaborations both on-campus and with academic and non-profit institutions nationally; establishing and energizing advisory boards; coordinating high-impact activities throughout campus and community; championing the University through strategic networking and professional collaboration and engagement with external constituents, industry stakeholders, schools, and organizations; and securing vital resources for programmatic growth and long-term sustainability.

The Director will lead a dynamic collaborative team to launch and expand social science service areas (e.g., evaluation research, Science of Team Science), featuring both fee-for-service offerings and transformational training and educational components.

The IRISS Director will leverage their expertise to cultivate research partnerships, develop compelling grant proposals, and collaborate with academic researchers and community partners to lead strategically vital research initiatives. This position is responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with community partners and key clients, seeking projects aligned with IRISS strategic goals, and securing internal and external funding. The Director will co-develop grant proposals in collaboration with researchers across campus (e.g., natural resources, engineering, agricultural sciences) as well as with community partners. The Director will be responsible for supporting ongoing initiatives while launching innovative programs that integrate social science research methods and theories to support the growth and development of research programs across campus.

Specifically, the IRISS Director will:

+ Develop and champion a strategic and collaborative vision for IRISS’s future, working with staff, other university centers and institutes, departments and colleges, and the Advisory Board to drive collective impact.

+ Elevate IRISS’s reputation as the premier source of rigorous, unbiased, science-based information for external stakeholders, administration, campus-wide committees, peer institutions, and greater community.

+ Identify and pursue innovative and entrepreneurial initiatives that position CSU at the forefront of social science agendas and policy development, creating distinctive competitive advantages.

+ Promote institutional growth and establish synergies with other CSU entities to maximize collective resources and impact.

+ Create compelling written and oral products that showcase IRISS’s unique integration of experiential and scientific knowledge, enhancing visibility and influence.

+ Ensure a culture of excellence through continuous improvement, creativity, and transformative innovation in all aspects of the Institute’s operations and programs.

+ Serve as a prominent thought leader and authoritative voice representing IRISS and constituent groups in leading policy expertise through public forums, media interviews, publications, expert testimony, speaking engagements, and other appropriate venues.

The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date. The Institute will not sponsor a visa for this position.

This is a three-year appointment and may continue thereafter based on administrative performance and comprehensive review.

Required Job Qualifications

+ Professional degree, PhD (or equivalent), in social sciences or related field from an accredited university.

+ An exemplary record of peer-reviewed scholarship commensurate with a senior scholar in a social science field.

+ Demonstrated post-terminal degree experience leading research programs, initiatives, or teams related to social science (e.g., entrepreneurial activities, administration, etc.).

+ Demonstrated success with revenue generation and leading awarded grants.

+ Demonstrated expertise with an array of social and behavioral science research methods, data sources, and analytic techniques.

+ Strong organizational, project management, and collaboration skills as demonstrated by work experience.

+ Demonstrated ability to write outreach materials and research reports for both academic and non-academic audiences.

+ Demonstrated experience and enthusiasm in supervising faculty, professional staff, and student researchers.

Preferred Job Qualifications

+ Previous experience with strategic planning, long-range project coordination, and analytical problem solving.

+ Experience working closely and independently with administrators of institutions and/or leaders of science programs, organizations, or initiatives on a local, national, and/or international scale.

+ Knowledge of regulatory and compliance policies and procedures related to social science and human-subjects oriented research.

+ Research experience in one or more of the following areas: community engagement, team science, evaluation, and survey methods.

+ Demonstrated research experience leading interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and/or cross-sector teams.

+ Excellent communication skills, including written and verbal presentation abilities.

+ Candidates must have demonstrated ability to advance CSU’s principles of community.

Essential Duties

Job Duty CategoryResearch Program Leadership and Partnership Development

Duty/Responsibility

+ Develop and maintain independent or collaborative research program aligned with Institute strategic priorities, demonstrating scientific leadership both independently and with collaborators.

+ Secure extramural resources for IRISS activities through grant writing, fundraising, and strategic engagement with external and internal partners, including University Advancement staff.

+ Support Institute staff through expert research guidance, making critical contributions to proposal development and crafting compelling reports.

+ Collaborate with other campus core facilities and research centers (e.g., Regional Economic Development Institute, Institute for the Built Environment, Food Systems, One Health) to identify and pursue transformative opportunities aligned with university strategic priorities.

+ Organize, convene, and facilitate collaborative engagements with researchers, scientists, and stakeholders to identify and address emerging social science research needs and opportunities.

+ Represent IRISS at local, regional, and national events to cultivate influential relationships and generate future project opportunities.

Percentage Of Time50

Job Duty CategoryStrategic Leadership and Administration

Duty/Responsibility

+ Provide comprehensive administrative operations for the Institute, including strategic budgeting, program development and management; chair IRISS meetings and manage action items to completion; and cultivate high-performing teams through effective supervision and development.

+ Negotiate with university administrators to secure and maximize institutional resources, engaging strategically engagement with the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and CSU Leadership, including the Vice President for Research, to advocate for Institute priorities.

+ Champion IRISS initiatives across college, university, extension, and regional contexts. Leverage strategic committee participation at the university level and foster dynamic partnerships with CSU , government, nonprofit, educational, and industrial collaborators to advance IRISS initiatives and partnerships.

+ Establish and implement forward-thinking policies and procedures that strengthen project and data management, streamline contracting, scoping, and invoicing processes, elevate research quality, and ensure comprehensive project archiving.

+ Exercise fiscal oversight and accountability as authorized signatory for all contracts and budgetary commitments.

+ Supervise, manage, and mentor administrative staff and research assistants through transformative leadership that fosters professional growth and scholarly excellence

Percentage Of Time40

Job Duty CategoryResearch Methodology and Knowledge Production

Duty/Responsibility

+ Design and implement social science research components that enhance transdisciplinary projects and deliver breakthrough insights.

+ Deploy sophisticated data collection methods – including interviews, focus groups, surveys, and other approaches – to achieve research project goals.

+ Develop research and program evaluation frameworks that address critical statewide research needs and significantly elevate program assessment effectiveness.

+ Co-create research and program evaluation tools, protocols, and plans with Institute staff.

+ Direct the creation of exceptional client reports that translate complex findings into actionable insights and reinforce IRISS’s reputation for excellence.

Percentage Of Time10

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter which addresses how professional experiences align with identified required and preferred qualifications of the position, a current resume (CV is optional), and the names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.

If you have questions, please contact Lauren Smith, [email protected] or Tamara Martin, [email protected]

Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Search ContactLauren Smith: [email protected], Tamara Martin: [email protected]

EEO

Colorado State University ( CSU ) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested3

Maximum Requested3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

+ Cover Letter

+ Resume or CV

Optional Documents