This position oversees all operational programs under IREES, including general operations and programming, fiscal management and oversight, hiring, long range planning and external liaison tasks. The Director of Operations plans for and monitors research projects, develops long-range plans for IREES, and contributes substantially to funded research, including serving as a Co-I role. This positions needs to have technical expertise, experience, and/or understanding of the energy and/or environmental sectors. This position also supervises operational and research staff positions; and helps build strong, collaborative relationships with all types of external entities, serving as primary operational liaison to other academic and research departments within the University. This position requires the aptitude and interest to work at a higher, strategic level in making judgments and have excellent critical and creative thinking skills.

Job Duties:

• Operations Management:  Serve as primary liaison to other members of the VPRP team and Institutes, affiliated faculty, relevant partners with the University, other affiliated universities, corporate affiliates, and government agencies. Lead development of new programs and policies for the Institute, including forming teams of operational staff and/or research staff, interacting with potential funding agencies, and preparing and reporting on Institute reports.
• Business Development: Provide leadership in all phases of the business development lifecycle to develop and grow the Institute. This will include identifying potential projects that meet the needs of funding agencies and partners as well as utilizing the Institute’s, University’s, and the State's strengths, helping to build effective interdisciplinary teams and guide the proposal writing process. Travel to visit possible funding sources to identify research directions and formulate long-term business development strategies for the Institute.
• Sponsored Research Activities: Contribute substantively to Institute proposal development including within areas of expertise, facilitating teaming, ensuring document compliance, and other aspects of proposal development.
• Engagement:  Help determine strategic directions and develop and manage partnerships with outside organizations, such as the NSF, DOE, DOD, USDA, NOAA, and other federal, state, and local agencies across the country. Develop and foster relationships among Institute/University faculty and staff, various community leaders, government agencies, and other funding agencies. Participate in appropriate committees and boards.  Increase brand awareness and stakeholder connection, contacts and stakeholders, overseeing external-facing publication and news efforts, and helping organize Institute workshops/conferences.
• Fiscal Management: Primary responsibility within the Institute for budgeting, monitoring and reporting on sponsored research and recurring Institute budgets. Uses independent judgment and authority in managing Institute resources and in specifying, ordering, and approving the purchase of equipment, supplies, and travel. 
• Supervision:  Supervise and direct the efforts of relevant administrative, technical, and/or research staff. Direct day-to-day administrative aspects, including hiring, training, orientation, supervision, and evaluation. Participate in wage decisions, promotions, and employee relations issues. Review workloads and reassign tasks as required to ensure timely completion of projects or take advantage of the personnel's special capabilities.