New

Director, Conflict of Interest and Outside Activities, Office of Research Support and Compliance

The University of Texas at Austin
paid holidays, sick time, retirement plan
United States, Texas, Austin
101 East 27th Street (Show on map)
Feb 26, 2026
Job Posting Title: Director, Conflict of Interest and Outside Activities, Office of Research Support and Compliance ---- Hiring Department: Office of Research Support and Compliance ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Exempt ---- Earliest Start Date: Immediately ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue ---- Location: AUSTIN, TX ---- Job Details: General Notes TheOffice of Research Support and Compliance (ORSC)at The University of Texas at Austin functions to ensure that all research conducted at the University is in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and University policies. The ORSC educates and supports the University research community with regulatory guidance concerning human subjects research (Institutional Review Board), animal research (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee), use of biohazardous agents and use of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids (Institutional Biosafety Committee), financial conflict of interest in research (FCOI), and research integrity education. UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes: 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage Retirement contributions Paid vacation and sick time Paid holidays Eligible for telework Please visit ourHuman Resources (HR) websiteto learn more about the total benefits offered. Purpose The Director of Conflict of Interest and Outside Activities provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the university's financial conflict of interest (FCOI) in research and outside professional activities (OPA) programs. This position ensures institutional compliance with federal, state, sponsor, and university requirements while promoting transparency, integrity, and ethical conduct in research and scholarly activity. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Research Support and Compliance, the Director serves as the institutional expert on conflicts of interest and commitment, partners closely with faculty, researchers, administrators, and legal counsel, and supports the university's mission by balancing regulatory compliance with responsible engagement in external professional activities. Responsibilities Program Leadership and Oversight Direct and manage the university's Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) in Research and Outside Professional Activities (OPA) programs. Develop, interpret, and implement institutional policies, procedures, and guidance related to conflicts of interest, conflicts of commitment, and outside activities. Provide strategic direction to ensure programs are efficient, risk-based, and aligned with federal, state, and institutional policies; sponsor expectations; and best practices. Direct institutional committees responsible for conflict review and oversight. Lead institutional responses to audits, inquiries, or investigations related to conflicts of interest in research and outside professional activities. Monitor program effectiveness using metrics and data analysis; recommend improvements to processes and systems. Collaborate with partner university offices such as Sponsored Programs, Research Security, Research Compliance, Discovery to Impact, Human Resources, Legal Counsel, and Faculty Affairs. Advise senior leadership and institutional committees on conflict of interest trends, risks, and mitigation strategies. Financial Conflicts of Interest in Research Oversee the review, analysis, and management of disclosed significant financial interests related to sponsored and unsponsored research. Ensure timely identification, evaluation, and resolution of financial conflicts of interest in accordance with federal, state, sponsor, and institutional requirements. Develop and monitor conflict management plans, including coordination with department leadership and research oversight units. Ensure accurate reporting of FCOI information to sponsors and other external entities, as required. Outside Professional Activities and Conflicts of Commitment Oversee the disclosure, review, and approval of faculty and researcher outside professional activities, including consulting, speaking, board service, entrepreneurial activities, and external employment. Assess outside activities for potential conflicts of interest, conflicts of commitment, or reputational risk to the university. Partner with academic leadership to ensure consistent application of policies related to effort, time commitment, and external engagements. Provide guidance to faculty and administrators on appropriate engagement in outside activities while maintaining compliance with institutional expectations. Develop and monitor conflict of commitment management plans, including coordination with departmental leadership and research oversight units. Education, Training, and Outreach Develop and deliver training and educational resources, including website content, for faculty, researchers, and staff on conflicts of interest, conflicts of commitment, and outside activities, including sponsor disclosure requirements. Serve as a trusted advisor and point of contact for faculty and administrators seeking guidance on complex or sensitive conflict-related matters. Promote a culture of compliance, transparency, and ethical decision-making across the institution. Staff supervision Mentor and supervise staff, fostering engagement and professional development. Facilitate regular team communication and provide constructive feedback. External engagement and professional development Stay current on evolving regulations, sponsor policies, and best practices affecting conflicts of interest and outside activities in higher education. Actively participate in regional, and national organizations to stay current on regulations and best practices. Attend conferences and educational events to maintain expertise Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Significant, progressively responsible experience (7+ years) in conflict of interest administration and research compliance within higher education, healthcare, or research-intensive environments, to include at least 3 years in a supervisory capacity. Demonstrated deep knowledge of financial conflicts of interest in research, outside professional activities requirements, and federal research sponsor disclosure requirements. Strong analytical, judgment, and decision-making skills, with the ability to evaluate complex situations and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships and foster trust with a diverse range of stakeholders, including university leadership, faculty, staff and students. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and senior leadership. Commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of proprietary and sensitive information. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Preferred Qualifications Master's degree, Juris Doctor, or other advanced degree. Knowledge and experience in research integrity and responsible conduct of research. Experience managing change and continuous quality improvement. Understanding of risk and reputational considerations in a large research enterprise. Salary Range $135,000 + depending on qualifications Working Conditions May work around standard office conditions Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation Occasional weekend, overtime and evening work to meet deadlines Occasional interstate, intrastate and international travel Required Materials Please mark "yes" on the application for required materials.Failure to attach all additional materials listed may affect candidates being considered for the position. Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor. Letter of interest Importantfor applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers:You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. Important for Current university employees and contingent workers:As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questionspresented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above. ---- Employment Eligibility: Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval. ---- Retirement Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. ---- Background Checks: A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position. ---- Equal Opportunity Employer: The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. ---- Pay Transparency: The University of Texas at Austin 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. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. ---- Employment Eligibility Verification: If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university. ---- E-Verify: The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF] ---- Compliance: Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.