Dir Ops & Outreach

Department: TPI
Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Job Summary:

Northwestern University has launched the Thriving Planet Institute (TPI), a new institute aligned with the University’s strategic priority to lead in sustainability. TPI is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research and education at the intersection of environmental systems and health, recognizing the interconnected nature of interventions that affect water, land, and air, and impacts on human health. Through this integrated approach, the Institute seeks to develop innovative solutions that promote both planetary and human well-being. This forthcoming institute’s first Director of Operations and Outreach (DOO) will play a key role in establishing the institute and promoting its mission and goals by leading the strategic business management and tactical operation of the institute.

The DOO innovates, implements and continually enhances the institute’s programs and plans to ensure excellence at all levels. Proactively interfacing with institute leadership, the DOO manages current initiatives and long-term planning in support of the institute’s education, research and outreach mission. The DOO fosters the collaborative spirit of the institute with alliances both internal and external to the University. The DOO will also oversee evaluations, coordination with affiliate centers, and help build and coordinate relationships with relevant partners. The DOO will focus on providing strategic leadership, attracting novel funding streams, and supporting faculty in executing their vision across the institute’s four areas of emphasis (water, land, air, and health).

This position will support the faculty director of the institute, as described above. Specific responsibilities include: multidisciplinary research institute development; strategy implementation and operations oversight; staff supervision and hiring; partnering to identify, secure, and administer research funding; fund raising collaboration in partnership with Northwestern’s development office (for donor relations) and/or grant funding institutions; budget and financial operations; research and interdisciplinary program development and implementation; engagement with institute leadership and the University’s central offices; communications and marketing support; creative/proactive ideas and strategy input and support.

This is a two-year term position. Opportunity for renewal will be based on performance and available funding.

A cover letter is required to apply for this position.

Specific Responsibilities:

Management of Operations:

• Creates and maintains the infrastructure operating plan and process to enable efficient operations and compliance.
• Orchestrates and coordinates activities of many people in various departments to provide seamless support for the Institute’s operations and research and educational programs.
• Determines the staff organization structure and supervises the recruitment, hiring, training and performance management of any new administrative staff. Continually stays abreast of external regulations.
• Manages capital and operating budget planning, purchasing and payroll expenditures, and regular reconciliation and reporting to ensure sound financial/fiscal management.
• Manages administrative aspects of space planning and other resource deployment.
• Coordinates with other budgeting units within the University.

Internal and External Relations:

• Works with the institute’s faculty director and leadership team to support the Institute’s growth, development, and expand internal and external relationships.
• Interacts with faculty and administration at NU, funding agencies, and university collaborators to ensure smooth execution of the Institute’s initiatives.
• Serves as liaison to Northwestern’s upper administration and central offices throughout the university; engages partners at other universities as needed.
• Initiates and nurtures regular, productive communication with faculty leaders, executive council, advisory board and sponsors.
• Assists the Director in the preparation of information reports, analyses, financial statements, and programmatic presentations
• Proactively engages other NU centers, institutes, departments, and school partners.

Strategic Planning:

• Manages & implements strategic operation plans.
• Reviews plans, meets with leadership & key faculty & staff, & recommends changes & improvements to administrative operations to better meet organizational needs & objectives.
• Oversees and implements programs; coordinates extensive outreach activities
• Fulfills reporting requirements of various NU offices

Research Development, Proposal and Award Management:

• Oversees research administration and the institute’s sponsored research portfolio.
• Oversees submission process and facilitates proposal submissions in collaboration with multiple external partners, departments, OSR, and other units.
• Meets with faculty during planning stages to develop logistical plan for submission of proposal.
• Liaises with OSR at early stages and throughout proposal preparation.
• Manages ongoing administrative relationships with funding agencies and many external sponsored research partners.
• Oversees compliance and manages the institute’s portfolio of awards.
• Ensures reporting requirements of sponsors are fulfilled.

Supervisory:

• Supervises staff &/or provides work direction to others.
• Interfaces with center staff support provided through the Institute and departmental staff support provided by the McCormick departments to coordinate efforts.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Miscellaneous

Performed other duties

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Bachelor’s in business, accounting or a related field with 5 or more years’ experience in administrative or supervisory capacity with exposure to a combination of project management, finance, grant administration, and staff supervision.
• 5+ year’s management experience with progressively larger responsibilities.
• Interest in the business of higher education and research.
• Knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint or similar packages; familiarity with web development.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Proven communication, interpersonal and analytic skills.
• Adept at project management. Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated competency in organization management and financial stewardship.
• Proactive, energetic, innovative.
• Excellent writing and presentation abilities.
• Ability to work independently and yet is an accomplished team player.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Master’s degree in Business Administration or a PhD in a relevant science, technology, or engineering discipline.
• Previous management experience in a university environment.
• Experience in grant functions including proposal development, award management close-out.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Experience advancing initiatives in a university or complex organization.
• Fundraising experience through grants, contracts, and other sources.
• Working knowledge of Northwestern University systems such as NUFinancials, Cognos, InfoEd, financial forecasting, basic intellectual property principles, granting agency policies and processes.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $100,000-$120,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the Application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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