Conflict of Interest Officer / Senior Conflict of Interest Officer - Office of Research Security at University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois

Job Description:

Conflict of Interest Officer / Senior Conflict of Interest Officer - Office of Research Security



This position may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement dependent with unit operational needs.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

As one of the nation's leading research institutions, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has been shaping the future since 1867. Our research enterprise drives student experiences and community engagement, powering innovation and positive change locally, nationally, and globally.

The Office of Research Security is a service-oriented compliance unit within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation. The ORS brings together experts in Conflicts of Commitment and Interest, Export Compliance, and Research Security to build relationships and processes that support our world-class research enterprise.



Job Summary

Develop, implement, and support programs and policies related to the conflict of commitment and interest laws, regulations, and sponsor policies for the benefit of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and its faculty, staff and students.



Duties & Responsibilities


Conflict of Interest Officer:

• Lead the development procedures for the implementation of the University's policies for managing conflicts of commitment and interest, working with the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, faculty, staff from sponsored programs, legal, purchasing, technology management, and other stakeholder areas. Review disclosures of non-university activities and significant financial interest. Identify potential conflicts of commitment and interest. Work with appropriate parties to authorize and implement corrective actions to resolve compliance deficiencies.
• Serve as primary liaison and domain expert for any current or future electronic disclosure systems development team. Provide consulting support to users (faculty, principal investigators, researchers and staff) of the MyDisclosures system. Analyze data on financial and fiduciary interests and conflicts of interest. Prepare periodic reports regarding compliance, the activities undertaken, and the activities planned in order to ensure compliance, as well as other necessary reports.
• Prepare correspondence, presentations, template documents, and management plans. Provide guidance to faculty, staff and students on Conflict of Interest procedures and federal regulations. Supervise analyst and train as required. Responsibilities include task assignment, training and mentoring, scheduling, performance evaluation and monitoring, and time-entry acknowledgment. Identify staff training needs. Prepare, maintain and deliver both in-person and web-based training to applicable staff regarding regulatory compliance requirements. Review current policies, procedures, systems and software to propose necessary modifications to increase effectiveness and efficiency of the procedures. Collaborate with relevant parties to implement modifications.


• Maintain a network of peers at similar institutions and nonprofit organizations. Coordinate with Research Integrity Officer, Export Compliance Officer and Director of the Office of Research Security to ensure institutional compliance. Some overnight travel may be required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Senior Conflict of Interest Officer:

• Lead the development of policies and procedures for the implementation of the University's policies for managing conflicts of commitment and interest, working with the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, faculty, staff from sponsored programs, legal, purchasing, technology management, and other stakeholder areas. Develop, implement and monitor compliance plans including evaluations of state and federal regulations, assessment of University compliance. Review disclosures of non-university activities and significant financial interest. Identify potential conflicts of commitment and interest. Work with appropriate parties to authorize and implement corrective actions to resolve compliance deficiencies.
• Serve as primary liaison and domain expert for any current or future electronic disclosure systems development team. Provide consulting support to users (faculty, principal investigators, researchers and staff) of the MyDisclosures system. Analyze data on financial and fiduciary interests and conflicts of interest. Prepare periodic reports regarding compliance, the activities undertaken, and the activities planned in order to ensure compliance, as well as other necessary reports.
• Prepare correspondence, presentations, template documents, and management plans. Provide guidance to faculty, staff and students on Conflict of Interest procedures and federal regulations. Supervise analyst and train as required. Responsibilities include task assignment, training and mentoring, scheduling, performance evaluation and monitoring, and time-entry acknowledgment. Identify staff training needs. Prepare, maintain and deliver both in-person and web-based training to applicable staff regarding regulatory compliance requirements. Review current policies, procedures, systems and software to propose necessary modifications to increase effectiveness and efficiency of the procedures. Collaborate with relevant parties to implement modifications.
• Serve as our institutional liaison to engage national and regional organizations to ensure the University of Illinois has representation in these various forums. Engage as a speaker, committee member, or writer in developing academic focused regulatory issues related to conflict of commitment and interest. Coordinate with the Research Integrity Officer, Export Compliance Officer and Director of the Office of Research Security to ensure institutional compliance. Some overnight travel may be required. Communicate with faculty, support staff, colleagues, federal agencies, non-profit organizations and University administration regarding compliance issues and available training and informational materials. Maintain a broad network of contacts with conflict of interest staff at peer institutions and professional organizations to ensure that Illinois policies and procedures are consistent with best practices in comprehensive research universities and colleges of medicine.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications


Conflict of Interest Officer:

• Master's degree
• A minimum of 6 years of research administration experience and/or regulatory compliance experience post-degree
• Experience with implementing administrative processes to meet state and federal regulatory requirements
• Project management experience

Senior Conflict of Interest Officer:

• Master's degree
• A minimum of 8 years of research administration experience and/or regulatory compliance experience post-degree
• Experience with implementing administrative processes to meet state and federal regulatory requirements
• Project management experience

Preferred Qualifications


Conflict of Interest Officer:

• Illinois Certified Research Administrator

Senior Conflict of Interest Officer:

• J.D., MPA, MSL
• Illinois Certified Research Administrator

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to draft documents and related correspondence relating to research administration


• Extensive knowledge of research administration


• Outstanding communication, personal relations, organizational and problem-solving skills


• Attention to detail


• Sound judgment


• Ability to work both as a team member/leader and independently with minimal supervision


• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively with a professional demeanor in a fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities and tasks

Appointment Information


This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close date. The budgeted salary range for the position is $85,000 to $100,000 at the Conflict of Interest Officer level, and $100,000 to $120,000 at the Senior Conflict of Interest Officer level, for a 12-month service basis.



Application Procedures & Deadline Information


Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Monday, December 3, 2024. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting and upload a cover letter, resume, and names/contact information (including phone number and email address) for three professional references. Incomplete applications and applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Thurman Etchison at 217-333-0034. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.


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 .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal , or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu .


Requisition ID: 1027776
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu


Apply Now