Job Opportunity

Job description

The College of Engineering at Colorado State University (CSU) is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as Director of Research Business Operations, a full-time position providing vision and leadership for the college’s research support services. The Director also serves as a strategic advisor to the college leadership on a wide variety of issues related to the research and scholarship mission of the college. Examples include: improvements in research related contracts; projections of research funding; improvements in financial reporting; advice on policy improvements; and helping the college leadership build strategic relationships with corporate partners.

This position will be responsible for preparing, analyzing, and managing information related to research projects, personnel, and programs. Independent judgment and analytical skills must be exercised to understand, interpret, and manage data and technical information. All areas of responsibility for this position warrant a great deal of independent analysis to determine the best approach to research support. This position requires the skills and flexibility to interact effectively with a range of people, such as faculty, researchers, international scholars, university administrators, staff personnel, and students. This position reports to the Assistant Dean for Operations and is a full-time position with benefits.

The College of Engineering is a major research college within CSU, with research expenditures of nearly $64M in the latest fiscal year. The research support functions in the college consist of both pre-award and post-award support for all contracts and grants, whether they are sponsored by government agencies, corporations, or private foundations. The Research Business Operations group serves to facilitate all of the financial aspects of ongoing research in our academic units and research centers. Within that context, the research support staff balance the dual roles of faculty and staff support with compliance and fiscal oversight. The Director represents the college on appropriate university-wide committees and initiatives and, when needed, represents the college at research-related community events.

This position has functional responsibility in the following areas:

• Direct the activities of the college Research Support Center, including direct leadership and supervision of all support staff.
• Coordinate the activities of all other support groups within the college’s research enterprise.
• Provide financial and budgetary oversight for contracted research activities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with university offices with respect to research administration.
• Support and assist with special projects as assigned by the Assistant Dean for Operations.

Unit Overview

This position functions within the broader organization of staff reporting to the Assistant Dean for Operations and is expected to play a major role in providing operational support to the College of Engineering. Additional functional areas reporting to the Assistant Dean include college facility support, general business operations, budget and forecasting, human resources, and network services.

Position Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably with an emphasis in finance, accounting or general business administration
• 5 years of experience in financial management
• Demonstrated creativity with applications in business productivity software

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience in higher education research administration and/or federal grants and contract management, or similar project management.
• Demonstrated ability to interact collegially and in a collaborative manner across the University and in a college team environment.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate financial information to non-technical constituents.
• Experience in a supervisory role managing professional staff.
• Demonstrated experience developing technical solutions to streamline work and create efficiencies.

Application Requirements

Successful applicants will have strong written and oral communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, a commitment to customer service, and impressive organizational skills. Adaptability and the ability to work well with others are critical. The dress code is business casual. Electronic submission of the application materials is required. Please visit http://www.engr.colostate.edu/faculty-staff/drbosearch/ for further information.

Application materials:

• Cover letter (limit of 2 pages) addressing minimum and preferred qualifications, and fit to the position
• Resume; and
• Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of minimum three references. Candidates will be contacted prior to reference checks.

Application materials should be uploaded as one PDF document at the above link by 11:00pm Mountain Standard Time, by the extended deadline of February 12, 2012 for full consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Candidates will receive email confirmation after materials are received. Salary commensurate with experience. For more information please contact: Dr. Ketul C. Popat at 970-491-1468 or via email at ketul.popat@colostate.edu.

Colorado State University is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, an award-winning city on the front range of the Rocky Mountains. Outside magazine lauded Fort Collins as a New American Dream Town in 2005 while Money magazine awarded Fort Collins the No. 1 rank as America's Best Place to Live in 2006. Located approximately 1 hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins allows easy access to hiking, skiing, rafting and other outdoor sports.

The College of Engineering at Colorado State University has a world-class reputation, top-rated faculty, distinguished research programs, and outstanding students. Our engineering research is focused on providing solutions to global challenges. We work with industry and government agencies on many research projects, from environmental issues to radars to biofuels.

Colorado State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability. The University complies with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, related Executive Orders 11246 and 11375, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Act of 1974, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and all civil rights laws of the State of Colorado. Accordingly, equal opportunity of employment and admission shall be extended to all persons and the University shall promote equal opportunity and treatment through a positive and continuing affirmative action program. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services. In order to assist Colorado State University in meeting its affirmative action responsibilities, ethnic minorities, women, and other protected class members are encouraged to apply and to so identify themselves.

Colorado State University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Background checks may include, but are not limited to, criminal history, national sex offender search and motor vehicle history.