Director of the Bureau of Business Research

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East Carolina University ( ECU) is consistently ranked among the nation's top public universities for its commitment to research, innovation, social mobility, and public service. Classified as a R1 institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, ECU is among the top 5% of research universities in the United States, an elite designation reflecting the highest levels of research activity, funding, and doctoral output.

Founded in 1907, ECU is a public, four-year university located in Greenville, N.C., which and is widely regarded as the cultural, educational, economic, and medical hub of eastern North Carolina. Through education, research, healthcare, community engagement, athletics, cultural enrichment, and service, ECU enhances the quality of life for its students, the state and communities around the world. It is a great place to work, teach, and learn.

ECU's commitment to impactful scholarship is further demonstrated through its repeated Carnegie Community Engagement Classification (2010, 2015, 2024), as well as its 2024 designation as a Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose institution. These distinctions recognize the university's leadership in translating research into meaningful community partnerships and measurable societal benefits.

The university supports its workforce through a wide range of professional development opportunities designed to foster career growth and skill advancement. Eligible employees also benefit from a comprehensive benefits package that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

The College of Business has been AACSB accredited for more than 40 years and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, hospitality management, sustainable tourism and hospitality, and entrepreneurship. The college is committed to academic excellence and fostering an environment where faculty, staff, and students can thrive and feel respected both personally and professionally.

INTERNAL POSTING: Open only to applicants currently employed by East Carolina University.

The Bureau of Business Research ( BBR) at East Carolina University is housed within the College of Business. The BBR conducts applied research and provides data-driven insights to business leaders, community organizations, policymakers, and other stakeholders working to build a stronger, more sustainable, and more resilient Eastern North Carolina.

The Director provides strategic leadership for the BBR and is responsible for its programs, operations, external relationships, growth, and financial sustainability. The Director works closely with College leadership, faculty research associates, graduate assistants, university partners, and external stakeholders to identify emerging needs and develop applied research initiatives that advance the missions of the College of Business, the Office of Expert Services ( OES), and East Carolina University.

The Director reports directly to the Executive Director, Engagement & Impact ( EDEI), in the Office of Expert Services.

1. Strategic Leadership and Vision
* Establish and advance a strategic vision for the BBR that aligns with the priorities of the College of Business, OES, and East Carolina University.
* Lead the development and implementation of applied research initiatives that address the needs of businesses, communities, industries, and government entities across Eastern North Carolina and the state.
* Advise College leadership on emerging economic, business, workforce, and public-policy issues that may present opportunities for research, engagement, or external funding.
* Monitor relevant trends in industry, government, economic development, and higher education to identify opportunities that support the College and University missions.
* Develop annual and long-term goals for the BBR and evaluate progress toward established priorities and outcomes.
* Position the BBR as a trusted source of objective, relevant, and actionable research for regional and statewide stakeholders.
* Serve as an active member of the Regional Transformation Task Force ( RTTF), collaborating with the OES team to advance initiatives that support economic development and regional transformation.

2. Program Development and Oversight
* Identify and cultivate applied research opportunities that respond to the needs of external partners and contribute to the economic vitality of the region and state.

* Collaborate with faculty, department chairs, College leadership, and university partners to evaluate prospective projects and identify faculty members with the expertise needed to serve as project leads.

* Coordinate the development of competitive proposals in collaboration with designated faculty experts and appropriate University offices.

* Upon project approval or funding, transition responsibility for the research methodology, execution, analysis, and findings to the designated faculty project lead while maintaining administrative and organizational oversight through the BBR.

* Work with faculty project leads and external partners to establish project scopes, timelines, deliverables, budgets, and performance expectations.

* Recruit, onboard, and coordinate faculty research associates, graduate assistants, students, and other contributors supporting BBR projects.

* Facilitate communication and collaboration among faculty project leads, research teams, University offices, and external partners to support successful project completion.

* Monitor project progress, deliverables, and reporting requirements and assist in addressing administrative or operational challenges.

* Maintain a thorough understanding of University requirements and applicable federal, state, and sponsor regulations governing grants, contracts, and sponsored research.

* Support faculty project leads in ensuring the quality, integrity, relevance, and timely delivery of BBR research and related products.

3. Operational Management and Growth
* Manage the successful day-to-day operations of the BBR, including project coordination, staffing, workflow, communications, and administrative processes.

* Maintain active and effective communication with the EDEI, faculty research associates, graduate assistants, College leadership, and external stakeholders.

* Plan and lead meetings that advance BBR goals, strengthen accountability, and support successful project execution.

* Establish effective procedures for tracking projects, proposals, partnerships, deliverables, outcomes, and organizational impact.

* Assess the staffing, technological, and operational resources needed to expand the BBR's capacity and reach.

* Identify opportunities to strengthen existing services and develop new research capabilities, programs, and partnerships.

* Prepare regular updates and reports regarding BBR activities, accomplishments, challenges, opportunities, and performance.

* Foster a collaborative, responsive, and results-oriented environment among BBR personnel and project partners.

4. External Engagement and Fundraising

* Build and maintain relationships with business leaders, community organizations, economic development professionals, government agencies, policymakers, foundations, and other external stakeholders.

* Engage stakeholders to understand their research needs and translate those needs into meaningful projects, services, and partnership opportunities.

* Represent the BBR, the College of Business, and OES at meetings, conferences, public forums, and professional events.

* Communicate BBR research findings and regional insights to academic, professional, governmental, and community audiences.

* Pursue grants, contracts, philanthropic support, sponsorships, and other external resources that advance BBR priorities.

* Develop proposals and partnership agreements in collaboration with faculty, College leadership, University offices, and external organizations.

* Provide content to College and University communications staff to promote BBR projects, research findings, partnerships, accomplishments, and impact.

* Maintain comprehensive outreach efforts across the University, region, and state to increase awareness of the BBR and expand its network of partners.

5. Financial Sustainability

* Develop and implement a diversified financial strategy that supports the BBR's long-term stability and growth.

* Establish annual revenue and funding goals consistent with the BBR's strategic priorities and operational needs.

* Develop a balanced portfolio of grants, contracts, fee-for-service activities, philanthropic support, and other funding sources.

* Work with College leadership to prepare and manage the BBR's annual operating and project budgets.

* Monitor revenues, expenditures, grant requirements, and project budgets to promote responsible stewardship and ensure compliance with University and sponsor expectations.

* Evaluate the financial feasibility and anticipated impact of prospective projects, programs, and partnerships.

* Develop appropriate budgets, cost-recovery approaches, and pricing structures for externally supported research and services.

* Demonstrate the value and impact of investments in the BBR through clear performance measures, reports, and stakeholder communications.

* Identify opportunities to reinvest resources in personnel, research capacity, student engagement, technology, and future program development.

Additional Responsibilities

The Director will perform other duties as assigned or undertaken in support of the mission, priorities, and continued development of the Bureau of Business Research, the College of Business, The Office of Expert Services, and East Carolina University.

Contingent upon availability of funds.

PhD, EdD, DBA, or JD in a business field or associated business-related discipline appropriate for appointment as a Fixed Term, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Full Professor. Demonstrated proficiency in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods, data analysis, and the interpretation of complex information; experience translating research findings into clear, actionable recommendations for business, government, community, or other nonacademic audiences; and demonstrated ability to lead collaborative research projects involving faculty, students, external partners, or other stakeholders.

N/A

Experience conducting regional economic, workforce, industry, or community impact research; experience using economic modeling, statistical analysis, data visualization, or business intelligence tools; familiarity with input-output modeling or comparable approaches to economic impact analysis; a record of securing grants, contracts, or other external funding; experience managing a research center, institute, or applied research program; and demonstrated success building partnerships with businesses, government agencies, economic development organizations, and community stakeholders. Demonstrated experience developing proposals for externally funded research and managing sponsored projects, contracts, or client-supported research engagements.

East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. Candidates must also submit a cover letter/resume, and a list of three references, including contact information, online.

2-3 original letters of reference are required for employment. Please be aware that if selected as a candidate of choice, an automatic e-mail will be sent to the individuals entered by the applicant in the References section in the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system. Letters of reference submitted via the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system will be verified and considered towards meeting this requirement.

For letters of reference not submitted via the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system, please have the original signed letters mailed to Ms. Karen Kus, Search Committee, Chair, Executive Director, Engagement & Impact, Office of Expert Services, Mail Stop 503, College of Business, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858. An original transcript of highest earned degrees for selected candidate will be required prior to employment.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Unless otherwise identified in the applicable job posting and consistent with University policy, the University will principally employ individuals who reside in the State of North Carolina to the greatest extent practicable. As such, most positions at East Carolina University require employees to live and work in North Carolina (or live within a reasonable daily commuting distance from their duty station) after hire. Candidates should be prepared to relocate within a reasonable, agreed-upon time after an offer of employment has been made and accepted to meet this requirement.

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act ( ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/ TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. If highest degree earned is from an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, final candidates are required to have their degree validated as equivalent to the degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.