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Director for Operations, Q-SEnSE
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Position Number: 5791604
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Business - Finance

Director for Operations, Q-SEnSE

Requisition Number: 60387
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 05-Dec-2024
Date Posted:

Job Summary

Q-SEnSE is a Quantum Leap Challenge Institute funded by the National Science Foundation. In Q-SEnSE, prominent quantum researchers in experiment and theory, science and engineering, from around the U.S. and internationally, collaborate to explore how advanced quantum sensing can discover new fundamental physics, develop and apply novel quantum technologies, provide tools for a national infrastructure in quantum sensing, and train a quantum savvy workforce.

This position is responsible for Institute operations and reports to the Principal Investigator of the NSF award and Director of Q-SEnSE, who has ultimate responsibility for the Institute and leads the Management Team, which includes the Deputy for Science and Research Convergence, the Director for Education and Workforce Development, and this position. In turn, the Director and their Management Team collaborate with and are guided by an Executive Committee of researchers and an External Advisory Council of academic and industry scientists.

Simultaneously with the above and at a lesser fractional time, this position has similar responsibilities for a second research Center, the Quantum Systems Accelerator funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through an award to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a sub-award to the University of Colorado.
The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

JILA was founded in 1962 as a joint institute of CU Boulder and NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology). JILA staff, fellows, students and scientists work together as a team to support and advance research at the frontiers of science. JILA's fellows include two Nobel laureates, Eric Cornell and John Hall.

JILA's CU members hold faculty appointments in the Departments of Physics; Astrophysical and Planetary Science; Chemistry and Biochemistry; and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology; as well as in the School of Engineering (JILA pays for summer research, funding 32 Fellows). NIST's Quantum Physics Division members hold adjoint faculty appointments at CU in the same departments. Each year, JILA scientists publish more than 200 original research papers in national and international scientific journals & conference proceedings.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Strategic Operations Oversight

Provide comprehensive leadership for the day-to-day operations of the QSEnSE initiative, ensuring the effective implementation of programs, policies, and procedures. Supervise the coordination and allocation of resources across multidisciplinary research groups, ensuring alignment with JILA's strategic goals and compliance with university policies. Serve as the key liaison between faculty, researchers, staff, and external partners to ensure smooth operations and foster collaborative research.
Work closely with the Principal Investigator to align operational goals with the strategic vision of the NSF-funded institute.
Anticipate and resolve operational challenges that impact the research teams, proactively managing any impediments.
Prepare and deliver reports and presentations on operational status and challenges, communicating effectively with both internal and external partners.

Management of Cross-functional Teams

Lead the management between a team consisting of science and research convergence leaders and workforce development director to ensure seamless operations.

Budget Design and Monitoring

Develop and manage the budget for both Q-SEnSE and the Quantum Systems Accelerator, ensuring appropriate allocation of resources.

Collaborative Agreement Drafting

Draft and review multi-party collaborative agreements related to research partnerships and intellectual property, ensuring legal and institutional compliance.

Long-Term Planning and Policy Development

Contribute to long-term planning and policy development in collaboration with academic and industry partners.

External Advisory and Executive Committee Liaison

Act as the key liaison for the External Advisory Council and Executive Committee, ensuring regular communication and feedback on operational matters.

Grant and Proposal Writing

Assist in preparing proposals for funding agencies, including NSF, ensuring that operational components meet the required standards.

Intellectual Property Management

Manage intellectual property issues, including compliance with university policies and ensuring proper handling of research data and findings.

Human Resources Management

Coordinate staffing needs, and ensure that teams are well-equipped to perform their duties in support of the institute's research objectives.

Technology and Cloud Services Management (Daily)

Manage the institute's cloud services and collaborative tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Dropbox) to support research and operational efficiency.

Financial Modeling and Forecasting Working with the JILA Financial Team

Develop dynamic financial models to project and optimize the institute's financial performance and resource allocation.

Contract and Sub-award Oversight

Manage sub-awards and contracts, particularly with external entities ensuring compliance with funding requirements.

Meeting Facilitation and Scheduling

Schedule and lead meetings with the research teams, management team, and external collaborators, including virtual meetings via videoconferencing.

Compliance with Funding Agency Requirements (Ongoing)

Ensure compliance with the guidelines and reporting requirements of funding agencies such as the NSF and DOE.

Workforce Development

Support the Director of Education and Workforce Development in building a quantum-savvy workforce through training and educational programs.

Web and Digital Presence Management

Manage the institute's website and digital presence, coordinating with professional designers when necessary to ensure it reflects operational needs.

Risk Management

Identify and manage potential risks, ensuring the institute can respond effectively to crises impacting operations or research progress.

What You Should Know

This position will be primarily on-site.

What We Can Offer

The annual hiring range for this position is $100,000-$130,000. Onboarding assistance is available for eligible candidates.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor's degree in physical science or engineering.
6+ years' of relevant professional experience.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

What You Will Need

Technical

Ability to digest complex operational details and present them succinctly in speech, writing, or presentation software.
Excellence in drafting advocatory prose, such as white papers.
Familiarity with and experience in proposal design and writing for national funding agencies such as NSF.
Existing or acquired adeptness at managing team cloud services such as DropBox and Microsoft Teams.
Familiarity with the design and maintenance of moderately complex websites (with the occasional assistance of a professional web designer).

Business

Dynamic financial modeling and optimization using spreadsheets.
Ability to design and monitor budgets.
Adeptness at scheduling and managing medium-large meetings, including videoconferencing.
Experience and practical familiarity with intellectual property law and procedures.
Experience and practical familiarity with legal document drafting, such as multi-party collaborative agreements.

Leadership and Interpersonal

Leadership, as evidenced by an ability to build consensus through persuasion based on analysis and vision of optimum outcomes.
Independence to act with minimal direction in a team-oriented environment.
Creativity, problem-solving by novel solutions to operational, bureaucratic, or financial problems.
Initiative to foresee and preemptively resolve operational challenges faced by a diverse group of highly driven scientists and engineers.
Hard-working, with a focus on achieving positive results.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

A current resume.
A cover letter that specifically addresses how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications and responsibilities of the position.

You will not be asked to upload references at this time.

Please apply by 12/5/24 for first consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Director-for-Operations-Q-SEnSE/60387