Job Description
About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth’s flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public
research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in
the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban
centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and
Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
The National Science
Foundation Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Science (CBIKS) Managing Director is responsible for the operational, technical and
administrative management of the Center. This position works in close partnership with the Director/Principal Investigator to administer
this large, technically complex, multi-Hub, and continuously evolving Center.
Essential Functions
- Represents the Center and serves as the central administrator for the Center, acting within the policies and procedures of the Center,
the University, and the National Science Foundation agreement to achieve the Center goals. - Serves as the primary interface between
Center researchers, technical staff, educational and outreach personnel, government partners and the Director. - Oversees operational
and financial management, budget preparation, facilities support, grant administration, technology transfer, human resources, general
administration and resource allocation. - Partners with the PI and senior leadership to assess strategic plan, research activities
and programmatic performance indicators, reformulate to ensure compliance and sustain rapid progress. - Supervises the other CBIKS
core staff at UMass and helps monitor sub-awardee progress. - Coordinates with the CBKIS leadership to update the Center’s strategic
plan. - Serves as liaison with NSF, the CBKIS leadership and Advisory Board, UMass colleges and departments, and the broad spectrum
of Center participants and partners. - Oversees and coordinates Center website development, internal database, and
communications. - Coordinates annual NSF site visit and other Advisory Board and Oversight Committee meetings. Prepares annual
report. Leads overall compliance with the NSF agreement.
Other Functions
- Assumes other
duties as requested by the Director.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience,
Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of relevant experience.
- Excellent organizational
skills and acute attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to effectively address complex administrative issues. - Experience
overseeing budgets for grants and contracts. - Excellent ability to demonstrate fairness and diplomacy.
- Superb
problem-solving abilities with the ability to establish operational procedures where they may be non-existent or require continual
refinement. - Excellent writing and editing skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to
develop and maintain productive relationships. - Ability to coordinate and work well with faculty and staff from a variety of
disciplines and constituents outside the University. - Ability to ensure compliance with rules, policies, and procedures governing
assigned activities. - Excellent computer skills including MS Office and the ability to quickly learn grant related systems.
- Proficiency with online application protocols required by funding agencies.
Preferred Qualifications
(Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Experience managing a Center or
academic department. - Advanced degree with a research focus and experience working in a research environment.
- Understanding
of Indigenous communities and Indigenous research concepts.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Typical office environment.
Additional Details
- This is a 5 year, term-limited
position. Continuation of the position is contingent upon grant funding. - May supervise graduate and undergraduate
assistants. - May require limited travel.
- This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by
the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion
of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff
Union collective bargaining agreement.
Work Schedule
- Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00
pm.
Salary Information
Level 29
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter and
contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until filled.
UMass Amherst is committed
to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation,
national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic
programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that
policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase
opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is
the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal
opportunity and affirmative action.
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