Four areas of knowledge appeared most frequently across the position descriptions that were analyzed: research systems, legal and compliance, policy analysis and development, and data management.
Knowledge of research systems was the most frequently cited across the descriptions analyzed. This indicates that leadership roles require detailed knowledge of various aspects of research administration, including research development, the research funding ecosystem, research integrity and ethics, research impact, research commercialization, and higher education environment. Leaders in these roles are expected to understand institutional research strategies and directions, along with the governance and reporting of research activities.
Legal and compliance was the second most frequently cited area, requiring knowledge of legislative, governance, and regulations frameworks, followed by policy analysis and development, and, lastly, knowledge of data management.
Six skills were identified as essential for research administration leadership roles: problem-solving, strategic thinking, communication skills, stakeholder management, teamwork, and adaptability.
Leadership roles require problem solving skills such as the ability to analyze complex challenges, evaluate risk, managing complex competing priorities to address institutional challenges and strategic research directions. They also require the ability to interpret and translate organization research goals into actional and operational plans, resource allocation, and ability to identify areas of continuous improvement.
Effective communications skills, both oral and written, help leaders to convey complex challenges to research administrators working at the operational and management levels, as well as prepare high-quality policy documents, briefing notes, and reports to senior management.
Stakeholder management extends the reach of a leader beyond the research office to various stakeholders involved in research administration. Teamwork supports partnership and collaboration, while adaptability enables leaders to respond to changes in priorities and organizational direction. Stakeholder management skills were also identified.
Experience is what enables research administrators in leadership roles to effectively and efficiently apply their knowledge and skills in complex organizational situations. Three major areas of experience were identified in our analysis. The most frequently cited was leadership and management experience, including experience leading teams, managing change, mentoring staff members, and overseeing the operations of the research offices. The second area of experience identified focused on research management and development, encompassing experience with the management of research portfolios, coordination of partnerships, and contributions to organizational research strategies and priorities. The third frequently cited was experience identifying various sources of research funding opportunities that support organizational research excellence and performance.
Leadership roles in research administration draw on a combination of multidimensional knowledge, skills, and experience. The roles require working knowledge of research funding ecosystems and of legislative and compliance frameworks, and applied problem solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills. They also require experience in leading teams and managing change while overseeing a range of research administration activities.