Director of Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment

Director of Conflict of Interest and Conflict of CommitmentHiring Department: The Office of Research IntegrityLocation:  Chicago, IL USARequisition ID: 1028444Posting Close Date: 12/9/2024About the University of Illinois ChicagoUIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.Description:Position Summary
The Director of Conflict of Interest (COI) and Conflict of Commitment (COC) is a leadership role in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) at the University of Illinois Chicago, overseeing the university's policies and processes related to both conflict of interest and conflict of commitment in the academic and research settings. This individual will lead the development, implementation, and management of robust COI and COC programs, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. The Director will work closely with faculty, staff, and administrators to identify, manage, and resolve conflicts while maintaining the integrity and credibility of the university's research enterprise.

Duties & Responsibilities
The Director will oversee the use of the Huron COI application, ensuring the system is utilized effectively to manage COI disclosures, reporting and oversight processes. This position requires strategic leadership, strong communication skills and a deep understanding of academic research compliance.
COI and COC Program Leadership:Lead and manage the university’s COI and COC programs, ensuring the development, implementation and continuous improvement of policies and procedures that align with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
Provide guidance on interpreting and enforcing COI and COC policies and ensure university-wide compliance.
Conflict Disclosure and Review:Oversee the review of COI and COC disclosures submitted by faculty, researchers and staff, ensuring that disclosures are complete, accurate and compliant with institutional and regulatory standards.
Develop and implement appropriate conflict management plans to mitigate identified conflicts and collaborate with departments to ensure effective resolution.
Conflict Management and Risk Mitigation:Work closely with faculty and researchers to develop conflict management strategies that protect the integrity of the research process while supporting faculty engagement in external activities.
Assess and evaluate risks associated with potential COIs and COCs, providing expert guidance on managing and mitigating those risks through conflict management plans and strategies.
Training and Education:Develop and implement educational programs and resources on COI and COC policies, regulations, and best practices for faculty, staff, and researchers.
Deliver regular workshops and seminars to enhance awareness of conflict-related issues and ensure adherence to university policies.
Compliance and Reporting:Ensure timely COI and COC disclosures are filed, including submission to funding agencies, Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and other external stakeholders as required.
Prepare and submit periodic reports to institutional leadership, government agencies and oversight bodies on COI and COC compliance activities, trends, and resolutions.
Policy Development and Continuous Improvement:Collaborate with senior university leadership to review and update COI and COC policies, ensuring they reflect current regulations, best practices and emerging issues in the academic research community.
Continually assess the effectiveness of the COI and COC programs and recommend improvements to streamline processes, enhance transparency, and increase overall compliance.
Cross-Departmental Collaboration:Work closely with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), the Research Integrity Office (RIO), faculty affairs, University Counsel and other departments to ensure comprehensive management of conflicts of interest and commitment within research and academic settings.
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, department chairs, and faculty on conflict-related matters.
Huron COI Application Management:Oversee the integration and optimization of the Huron COI application for COI and COC disclosures, monitoring and reporting. Provide training to faculty, staff, and administrators on using the system to disclose potential conflicts and track the resolution process.
Ensure that the Huron COI application is aligned with institutional and regulatory requirements and provide ongoing system updates and improvements in collaboration with IT and the software vendor.
Perform other related duties and participate in special projects, as assigned.Qualifications:Minimum QualificationsBachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., law, public administration, research compliance, business, or ethics).Direct experience with COI and COC policies and practices in a university or academic research setting, preferably at an R1 research institution.Demonstrated experience in research compliance, conflict of interest management or a related field.In-depth knowledge of federal and state COI and COC regulations, including NIH, NSF and other agency-specific requirements, and university-level policies.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess complex conflict scenarios and provide clear, actionable recommendations.Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines.Ability to educate and train university faculty, researchers and staff on COI and COC policies and best practices. Preferred QualificationsFive years experience in research compliance, conflict of interest management or a related field, preferred.A master’s or doctoral degree is strongly preferred.Experience using the Huron COI application or similar research compliance management software is highly preferred.Proven experience in the use of the Huron COI application for conflict disclosure management, reporting, and oversight.Certification in Research Administration (CRA), Certified IRB Professional (CIP), or other research compliance and ethics certifications are preferred.Experience working with the complexities of academic research and sponsored projects is preferred.The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation