Assistant Director of Research Compliance, Data Management

Assistant Director of Research Compliance, Data Management
Harvard Business School

65854BR

Job Summary

The Assistant Director is a member of a cross-functional team supporting a wide range of research programs and activities for the Harvard Business School (HBS) faculty and its governance. In partnership with the Director of Research Compliance, the Assistant Director has primary responsibility for developing and implementing the Research Data Management Program at HBS, a Program that will provide comprehensive support and education to researchers engaged in activities involving regulated, proprietary and contractual research data and results.

Additionally, as part of the Research Compliance team, the Assistant Director will generate and deliver a variety of training, education and services to HBS's research community, focusing on supporting processes surrounding the management, acquisition and use of research data.

Position Description

Reporting to the Director of Research Compliance and working closely with members of the Compliance team, HBS Information Security, Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP), Baker Library, and other administrative partners at HBS, the Assistant Director will focus on building and operationalizing the Research Data Management Program, as well as associated processes and guidance documentation. The Assistant Director will work with the HBS research community to standardize and incorporate best data practices from the conception of a project through the final stages, including collaborations, publications and privacy considerations.

The Assistant Director's principal duties and responsibilities include:

Research Data Management Program oversight:
Create and implement short- and long-term objectives for the Research Data Management Program, including but not limited to documenting processes and procedures, standardizing expectations for required reviews, trainings and privacy measures, and strategizing engagement with other HBS and University stakeholders who are involved in the research data landscape.
Establish a coherent and comprehensive set of processes, procedures and guidance around proper research data management practices. This may include best practices for sharing data with collaborators, data disposition, publication preparation, as well as when to engage other HBS offices such as Information Security, Research Computing and Business Operations.
Engage with stakeholders from around the University (e.g., OSP, Vice Provost for Research, Information Technology) and peer institutions, including participating in committees and workgroups, to comprehensively respond to current issues in the research landscape. This may include assessing and operationalizing new policies, regulations, or resources, and providing assistance to HBS research community on how to conduct research in a compliant manner.
Develop training and education materials for researchers and research support staff on appropriate data management activities throughout the research life cycle, including advising on the importance of utilizing secure tools and resources, project start-up and closeout, and organizing data to prepare for dissemination. This may include collaborating with the Assistant Director of Research Compliance, Quality Improvement Program, to implement training and guidance.
Research Agreements:
Support the negotiation of non-disclosure agreements, data use agreements, and other types of contracts governing the use, access, and purchase of research data. This may include negotiating NDAs and providing necessary context and information to those leading the negotiation of research agreements.
Maintain an open line of communication with HBS research teams, and serve as the primary contact for faculty requests to access or acquire restricted data from third parties.
Work closely and consistently with key partners across HBS and Harvard, including financial and business representatives, OSP negotiators, Baker Library, and HBS Information Security to identify issues and themes in the data acquisition and sharing processes, including areas for improvement.
Training and Education:
Educate and train researchers and staff on the end-to-end processes and requirements associated with initiating, operationalizing and closing DUAs, NDAs and other types of research agreements that govern access to or exchange of research data and information.
Collaborate with the Assistant Director of Research Compliance, Quality Improvement Program, to align relevant outreach and education to most effectively engage with HBS community and stakeholders.
Work with Research Compliance team members to document and refine workflows, guidance, and communications related to research collaborations involving the exchange of research data and results.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
Minimum of 7 years' relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Other Required Qualifications:
Applicants with a Master's degree and 5 or more years of experience will be considered. Applicants with a PhD or JD and at least 3 years of experience will also be considered.
Experience in a service organization, preferably in higher education, a research library or another type of research environment.
Experience reviewing, interpreting, and managing research agreements, data use agreements or other contracts associated with accessing restricted information.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment in dealing with internal and external partners.

Additional/Desired Qualifications:
Advanced degree in law, information management, library science, business or related field, or equivalent experience is preferred.
Experience guiding researchers on best practices for managing data and ensuring data are compliant with ethical (Institutional Review Board), contractual and data security requirements preferred.
Experience maintaining a strict standard of confidentiality and ability to communicate with a diverse group of people with sensitivity.
Takes initiative and ownership of work, following through to completion and executing with an appropriate sense of urgency.
A strong customer service orientation with experience exercising diplomacy with high profile clients.
Strong attention to detail.
An interest in business research and experience working with faculty in an academic or research environment preferred.

Additional duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Collaborate with the Research Compliance team to build out communications, including newsletters and website content.
Maintain active knowledge of evolving laws, regulations, policies, and privacy practices that apply to research activities through continuous professional development.
Provide coverage to other Research Compliance team members based on research landscape and need.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Information

This role is offered as a hybrid (some combination of onsite and remote) where you are required to be onsite at our Boston, MA-based campus 3 days per week. Specific days and schedules will be determined between you and your manager.

We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.

A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity.

Harvard Business School will not offer visa sponsorship for this opportunity.