Principal Outreach Partner

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about

American University

• Department: Research Services & Communications
• Time Type: Full time
• Job Type: Regular
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Work Modality: Hybrid 02 (On Campus 2 days/Week)
• Union: SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division. That means the terms and conditions of your employment are governed by university policy (including the Staff Personnel Policies Manual) and any collective bargaining agreement entered into between American University and SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division.

Job Description

Summary

The Principal Outreach Partner serves as ORSA’s dedicated internal communicator, service partner, and campus connector for the AU research community. Reporting to the Director of Strategy and Communications, this position ensures that faculty, staff, and unit-based research teams can effectively access, navigate, and utilize the university’s research support services. The role is centered on internal communications, service delivery, and practical application—helping the research community understand how to apply institutional policies, procedures, and user guidance in real-world contexts, including those related to Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols, animal welfare compliance, human subjects research protections, and data security requirements.

A core function of this position is the development and production of internal research communications, including a monthly funding opportunities and research development newsletter, and maintaining the research administration website. The Principal Outreach Partner Research writes, formats, and packages content—along with research development resources and institutional updates—into clear, accessible communications for the campus research community.

The incumbent also serves as a hands-on resource for faculty and staff who need additional guidance beyond formal training and documentation. Working in a consultative, tutorial capacity, the Principal Outreach Partner helps users interpret and apply the tools, systems, and resources produced by the ORSA team—providing one-on-one and small-group support through walkthroughs, Q&A sessions, and practical demonstrations. This role reinforces adoption by meeting users where they are and translating institutional requirements into clear, contextual guidance. The incumbent develops the canonical documentation, SOPs, and training materials, this position focuses on user-facing communications and direct engagement that help the research community put those resources into practice.

Acting as a bridge between ORSA the Office of Research and schools, departments, centers, and institutes, the incumbent provides responsive support tailored to the needs of different disciplines and units. Through ongoing engagement across campus, the Principal Outreach Partner identifies service gaps, recurring challenges, and opportunities to improve how research support is delivered and communicated.

Essential Functions: 1.) Internal Communications for Research Community

Develop, write, and produce ORSA’s monthly funding opportunities and research development newsletter.

Write and format newsletter content—drawing on funding opportunities identified and curated by graduate student assistant—to communicate upcoming deadlines, research development resources, institutional updates, and highlights of available support services in an accessible, audience-appropriate format.

Draft and distribute clear, audience-appropriate internal communications that help faculty and staff understand and act on policies, procedures, and system changes—including those related to IRB protocols, human subjects research protections, animal welfare compliance, and data security requirements.

Develop service-oriented communications—including “what you need to know” briefs, service announcements, policy update summaries, and plain-language explainers—tailored to the needs of different campus units.

Proactively communicate updates related to research services, compliance requirements, institutional processes, and available resources through appropriate internal channels.

Responsible for actively updating webpages to ensure content remains accurate, current, and aligned with user needs and organizational priorities.

2.) Unit Engagement & Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary ORSA liaison to school- and unit-based research administration teams, building strong and collaborative relationships with faculty, Associate Deans for Research (ADRs), and research administrative staff across the university.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships across schools, departments, centers, and institutes to understand unit-specific service needs, communication preferences, and operational challenges.
• Maintain a consistent and visible presence through unit meetings, office hours, workshops, and research forums.
• Act as a trusted, responsive point of contact for faculty and staff seeking guidance on research-related services, processes, and institutional partners.
• Connect faculty and staff to the appropriate offices, services, and tools, ensuring efficient coordination across the research support ecosystem.
• Foster cross-unit collaboration and knowledge-sharing to strengthen the overall research support community.-Establish regular points of contact with ADRs, unit research administrators, and other key stakeholders to understand school-based needs, challenges, and priorities.
• Maintain a visible presence through unit meetings, school-level workshops, office hours, and research forums to ensure ongoing engagement.
• Act as a trusted advisor and responsive point of contact for faculty and staff seeking guidance on research administration processes, available resources, and appropriate institutional partners.
• Foster cross-unit knowledge-sharing and strengthen collaboration among research administrators across schools and central offices.

3.) Communication & Change Management

• Communicate upcoming changes to policies, systems, and processes—including updates to IRB procedures, human subjects protections, animal welfare protocols, and data security standards—through internal channels, helping faculty and staff understand what is changing, why, and how it affects their work. (Note: Updated training materials, system guides, and formal documentation related to changes are produced by the ORSA Team.)
• Coordinate with ORSA and other subject matter experts to ensure change communications accurately reflect updated guidance, timelines, and resources.
• Contribute to fostering a shared understanding of research administration practices aligned with institutional priorities.
• Translate research policies, procedures, and system updates into clear, accessible guidance for faculty and staff.
• Support the culture shift around research and research administration in terms of R1 status and necessity for research administration support
• Proactively communicate updates related to: funding opportunities and tools, policy or regulatory changes, process improvements within the Office of Research and Sponsored Awards, and contribute to outreach activities that increase awareness of ORSA services and strengthen connections among faculty, unit staff, and external stakeholders.

4.) Service Feedback & Continuous Improvement

• Gather feedback from faculty, staff, and unit-based research personnel to identify service gaps, recurring challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Provide structured insights and recommendations to ORSA leadership to inform process improvements, training priorities, and resource development.
• Surface recurring questions and pain points tha