IDRC Executive Director

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: 2 months ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 24 Oct 2023

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title IDRC Executive Director
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Work Location Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work
Research Professional Position No
Posting Number 202301403AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Management III
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range 200,000-250,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for eligible employees in the following University benefit areas:https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ and https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ . To see the value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, visit our compensation calculator – https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/ .
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 10/24/2023
Description of Work Unit
Colorado State University (CSU) is one of the nation’s premiere land-grant teaching and research universities with a total enrollment of over 25,000. CSU consistently has been ranked as a top tier institution by U. S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges and Universities” and named by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine as one of the top public universities in terms of educational quality and affordability. Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills, the campus is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, a city of approximately 137,000, 65 miles north of Denver. Known as the “Choice City,” Fort Collins provides a unique blend of big city advantages and small town friendliness, making it an attractive and a great place to live.
CSU is recruiting for a high-impact leadership position in its innovative and multi-faceted infectious disease research and development program. The Executive Director of the Infectious Disease Research Center (IDRC) at CSU reports to the Vice President for Research and is responsible for the scientific and translational leadership of the IDRC and the operation and management of the IDRC.
The IDRC is an ~ 150,000 sq ft. building complex including ~ 40,000 sq. ft. of BSL-3 biocontainment space that houses an interdisciplinary alliance at CSU focused upon the global challenge of infectious diseases. It is built upon the nationally and internationally recognized research expertise and resources in infectious diseases at CSU. Beyond its academic mission, the IDRC also contains a start-up incubator and a cGMP manufacturing facility capable of research and development of new biologics, and producing commercial product at the BSL-2/3 level. These capabilities provide an environment for unique interactions with start-up companies, corporations, foundations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and government agencies to address the challenges of infectious diseases. The overall mission of the IDRC is to enhance and build academic capacity, increase and diversify the extramural funding base, and promote translational products and policy development in infectious diseases.
Position Summary
The Executive Director will have strategic responsibility for the IDRC and will coordinate all aspects of the program coherence, development and enhancement of the research portion of the IDRC. In particular, they will work to broaden the portfolio of funding and center capabilities. The Executive Director will work with faculty to provide academic, teaching, research, and service leadership for the IDRC, will manage the IDRC budget, prepare, issue, and supervise the review of research and capacity building grant proposals, and promote overall program coherence and enhancement. The Executive Director will work toward lowering product translation barriers for CSU faculty researchers at the IDRC and also assist in facilitating industrial interactions in infectious disease research and product development. The individual in this position will establish and maintain lines of communication and serve as the primary contact for the IDRC for all internal and external partners. Internal partners include CSU administration, Department Heads, Deans, faculty and staff. External partners include governmental agencies, NGOs, other stakeholders, the public, and the press. They will organize and supervise IDRC sponsored activities and will work with faculty and leaders to organize symposia and workshops and to foster/maintain very strong relationships with external laboratories in proximity to the IDRC (e.g. US CDC, and the National Wildlife Research Center). The Executive Director will also oversee the business incubator space within the IDRC. They will also be responsible for assigning space to start-up companies and review their progress annually to determine renewal of leases, and optimal usage of that facility.
Required Job Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
  • An advanced technical degree; MS in a related field or an MBA;
  • Minimum of 10 years academic, government laboratory, or industry experience, 5 of which is in a leadership role;
  • Experience with research and/or development of a (bio) pharmaceutical, diagnostic, or device for human or veterinary use, or of other life science products.
Preferred Job Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications:
  • A scientist with a Ph.D., DVM, and/or MD or equivalent terminal degree;
  • Relevant experience in managing and coordinating BSL-3 biocontainment facilities, budgets and complex programs across multiple units;
  • A strong record of experience with infectious diseases, laboratory biosafety, and biosecurity;
  • Strong ties to government, academic and/or industry stakeholders
  • Experience with translational discovery
  • Experience with diverse methods of fund raising and strategic development
  • Hands-on business development experience
  • Experience with strategic management of large teams
  • Personal or professional commitment to diversity and inclusion as demonstrated by persistent effort, active planning, allocation of resources and/or accountability for diversity and inclusion outcomes
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Programmatic Oversight
Duty/Responsibility
  • The Executive Director will oversee IDRC programs, which include researchers/scholars, Federal and nonfederal research projects, regulatory issues, and specialized support services. 
  • This person will establish and maintain lines of communication with and will be the primary contact for the IDRC with health and safety authorities.
Percentage Of Time 30
Job Duty Category Fiduciary Oversight
Duty/Responsibility
  • With suitable financial administrative support, the Executive Director will prepare, administer, and monitor large, complex budgets; coordinate financial and program management under the auspices of the Vice President for Research.
Percentage Of Time 25
Job Duty Category Facility and Staff Oversight
Duty/Responsibility
  • The Executive Director is charged with coordinating the management of the center with other CSU operations to maintain the IDRC as a national asset for the conduct of regional, national, and international research collaborations including the potential requirement to dedicate the facility to meet emergency national security needs. 
  • The Executive Director will demonstrate core institutional values by assuring the responsible conduct of research throughout the performance of his/her duties and the operation and management of specialized research facilities. 
  • The Executive Director is ultimately responsible for the training, safety, and security of the facility. 
  • The Executive Director will assign space and oversee inventory; manage, hire, train and motivate staff members through daily observation, hands-on interactions, and input; interact successfully and professionally with all members of the University community and with external sponsors, contractors, press, state and federal representatives and the public; and respond rapidly and effectively to the needs of constituents.
Percentage Of Time 30
Job Duty Category Stakeholder Representation
Duty/Responsibility
  • The Executive Director chairs the advisory committee for the IDRC composed of key stakeholders including the Animal Reproduction & Biotechnology Laboratory (ARBL), representatives of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, including the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, the Director of Laboratory Animal Resources, and the Director of Biosafety.
Percentage Of Time 15

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
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 or CV, 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 Nicole.Ehrhart@ColoState.edu.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search Contact Nicole.Ehrhart@ColoState.edu
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, titleix@colostate.edu .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
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.

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