Associate Provost for Research and Innovation, and Director of Atwood Innovation Plaza

Utah Tech University (UT), is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as the Associate Provost for Research and Innovation & Director of Atwood Innovation Plaza. This role reports directly to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight for research, invention, innovation, and sponsored programs that align with Utah Tech's polytechnic mission and its vision of being a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. The Associate Provost will play a critical role in advancing applied research, primarily among faculty and students, fostering partnerships, and driving invention and innovation initiatives across the university. This includes leading the ongoing planning and development of a proposed Innovation District at UT's South Campus and cultivating relationships with key stakeholders to support its growth. Additionally, this individual will supervise the staff of Atwood Innovation Plaza and directors of the Research Office and Sponsored Programs Office, promoting a culture of applied research, invention, innovation and entrepreneurship among students, faculty, staff, and the community. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in research administration and/or innovation management, with a demonstrated ability to build collaborative partnerships and support a thriving research and innovation ecosystem. This role requires a commitment to fostering research excellence and driving the university's strategic goals in applied research and innovation.

• Provide strategic direction and administrative oversight for offices and initiatives
• that advance Utah Tech's applied research and innovation enterprise in alignment with the university's polytechnic mission and vision. This includes supporting the ongoing planning and development of the proposed Innovation District at UT's South Campus.
• Guide the design, develop and manage research policies, infrastructure, and support systems that enhance applied research capacity and align with strategic priorities.
• Effectively manage a team of professional staff in administering the university research and innovation enterprise' including the Office of Research, Office of Sponsored Programs, IRB, IACUC, business development center, makerspace, business incubator, and Atwood Innovation Plaza.
• Promote a culture of applied research that fosters research integrity, safety, and compliance by overseeing the Office of Research and supporting efforts to coordinate research-related activities across colleges and academic research centers
• Promote a culture of invention, innovation and entrepreneurship across the university by facilitating technology transfer, commercialization activities, and startup incubation programs in collaboration with faculty, students, industry partners, and regional stakeholders through Atwood Innovation Plaza.
• Oversee the Director of Sponsored Programs and the administration of contracts and grants, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies, and providing support and guidance to faculty and staff throughout the grant lifecycle.
• Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with industry, government agencies, foundations, and other external stakeholders to enhance applied research collaborations, secure funding, and promote technology innovation, and economic development.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships among faculty, students, and external stakeholders to address complex societal challenges and advance knowledge in key research areas.
• Ensure adherence to ethical standards, integrity, and compliance with all relevant regulations, policies, and best practices governing research, innovation, and sponsored programs activities.
• Manage budgetary resources allocated to research administration, innovation, and sponsored programs, ensuring effective stewardship, accountability, and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Provide professional development opportunities, training, and support to faculty members to enhance their research capabilities, grant writing skills, and success in securing external funding.
• Collect, analyze, and report data on research productivity, sponsored funding, innovation outcomes, and other relevant metrics to inform decision-making, demonstrate institutional impact, and support accreditation and assessment efforts.
• Lead the ongoing planning and development of the proposed UT Innovation District at the south campus.
• Serve as a good will ambassador representing the students, faculty, and staff of Utah Tech University.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Master's degree from an accredited university; PhD, EdD, or JD strongly preferred
• Minimum 5 years of senior leadership experience in university research administration and/or technology innovation.
• Experience in developing and implementing strategic plans and initiatives to advance applied research, innovation, and sponsored programs in alignment with university goals and priorities.
• Proven ability to develop and implement university research policies, infrastructure, and support systems that enhance applied research capacity and align with strategic priorities.
• Familiarity with policies, regulations, and best practices governing university sponsored programs, contracts, and grants at the federal, state, and institutional levels.
• Experience with innovation ecosystems, technology transfer processes, intellectual property rights, and entrepreneurship support programs in a university.
• Understanding of the structure, policies, and procedures of higher education institutions, including research administration and academic governance.
• Record of acquiring funding from government agencies, foundations, industry partners, and other sources to support research and innovation activities.
• Skill in cultivating and maintaining strategic partnerships with external stakeholders, including industry, government agencies, and foundations.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
• Commitment to upholding ethical standards, integrity, and compliance with all relevant regulations and policies governing research and sponsored programs activities.

POSITION DETAILS, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Full-time overtime-exempt staff position. Annual salary of $150,000-$170,000 depending on qualifications and experience. Desired start date of January 2026. Excellent benefits package included that begins on start date; includes medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, employee assistance and wellness programs, retirement plan contributions, and undergraduate tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents, as well as paid holidays in addition to sick and vacation leave accruals. See https://humanresources.utahtech.edu/employee-benefits/ under "Benefits Summary" for more details.

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Application review begins October 1, 2025; position open until filled. Submit application materials (including resume contents and contact information for three professional references) and upload a cover letter electronically. If, because of a disability, you need special services or facilities in order to apply for this opening, please call the Human Resources Office at (435) 652-7520.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY: Utah Tech University is an open, comprehensive, polytechnic institution, committed to exceptional student learning and success that has adopted an instructional approach of "active learning. active life" and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. We seek faculty and staff committed to creating an active, applied and career-oriented learning environment that is student-centered. Established in 1911 as a community college and in 2013 as a state university, our University is located in picturesque southwestern Utah, approximately 120 miles north of Las Vegas. The area is renown for its red rocks, desert climate, over 300 days of sunshine annually, and featuring easy access to world-class outdoor recreational opportunities. Click here to learn more about the University.

Utah Tech University is a fast-growing Utah public institution of higher education, with more than 13,000 students. We offer over 250 programs, including doctoral, masters, bachelors, associates, certificates, endorsements, minors, and/or emphases. We seek to recruit and retain diverse and ambitious faculty and staff who bring new ideas, possess values and career aspirations aligned with the mission and vision, and are inspired to build a premier open, comprehensive, polytechnic university. Utah Tech University is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer; the President and employees of the University are fully committed to Affirmative Action within its employment programs and activities. Utah Tech does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or the University's non-discrimination policies:

• Director of Equity Compliance / Title IX Coordinator: Hazel Sainsbury - titleix@utahtech.edu, HCC 579, 435-652-7747.
• Deputy Title IX Coordinator: Brenda Medrano - titleix@utahtech.edu, BROWN 102, 435-879-4769.

• U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, ocr@ed.gov, 800-421-3481.
• U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, ocr.denver@ed.gov, 303-844-5695.