Director of Core Facilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Job no: 524305

Work type: Staff Full Time

Location: UMass Amherst

Department: Institute Applied Life Science

Union: PSU

Categories: Research, PSU A

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 Director of Core Facilities provides strategic, administrative, fiscal, and sustainability oversight and leadership for all current and future centralized Core Facilities at UMass Amherst, housed under the Institute for Applied Life Sciences. "Core Facility" refers to a multi-user research facility supporting UMass faculty and students, faculty from other academic institutions, as well as external industry/medical center users.

Essential Functions

• 
  Strategic & Business Operations Planning
  
  
  
  • Provides strategic, administrative, fiscal, and sustainability leadership to each of the centralized core facilities on the UMass Amherst campus.
  
  
  • Develops Core Facility strategic plans, incorporating sustainability and business models for current core services; provides research infrastructure planning.
  
  
  • Oversees the review and improvement of operational performance, including analyzing facility operating metrics as well as policy development.
  
  
  • With input from the individual core facility manager/director and advisory committee, works with the IALS Finance & Operations Director to ensure fiscal viability of each core which includes, but is not limited to, determining optimum rate setting and use of core facilities by internal and external stakeholders.
  
  
  • Works closely with the Core Facilities advisory committees and develop metrics for the development, evaluation, assessment, continuation, and sunsetting of Core Facilities as necessary.
  
  
  • Provides recommendations on faculty funding start-up instrument packages, equipment matches, and other possible equipment decisions, ensuring incoming and potential faculty are aware of the Core Facilities' capabilities.
  
  
  
  

• 
  Administrative Oversight
  
  
  
  • Acts as a primary liaison between the Core Facilities, IALS Leadership (including Centers), and UMass Amherst internal departments.
  
  
  • Manages legal and regulatory agreements.
  
  
  • Ensures smooth day-to-day operations by development and implementation of UMass Core Facility best practices.
  
  
  • Provides guidance and tools for individual facility short-term goals and objectives, long-range strategic plans and policies, and operating procedures.
  
  
  • Serves as the point of contact for core facility-related issues, including oversight and planning for emerging equipment and space-related needs, equipment, grant applications, and Core Facility staffing needs.
  
  
  • Collaborates with IALS Center Leadership and Program Manager and IALS Finance & Operations Director on Core Facility user needs and implementing and evaluating programs.
  
  
  
  

• 
  Marketing and Engagement
  
  
  
  • Proactively markets Core Facility services to internal and external customers.
  
  
  • With the assistance of the web support team, coordinates collection of content for web and print marketing materials.
  
  
  • Works closely with the other UMass campuses to leverage available Core Facility resources.
  
  
  • Attends and promotes IALS core facilities at relevant conferences across the New England area.
  
  
  • Collaborates with departments and offices across campus to establish and operationalize research infrastructure.
  
  
  • Represents IALS Core Facilities at internal and external meetings.
  
  
  
  

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectives.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master's Degree in business, engineering, or science-related field.


• Five (5) years' experience in an academic or industry setting and working knowledge of the core facility landscape, with experience in business strategy and operations and in developing business models / marketing services to both internal and external customers.


• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex scientific and financial information to diverse audiences.


• Proven executive leadership experience, with a track record of successful leading and developing high-performing teams.


• Strong strategic and analytical mindset, with the ability to anticipate and plan for future financial/operational challenges and opportunities.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Demonstrated track record of working well with multiple stake holders both within and outside the University.


• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple core facilities as independent business units to ensure the most effective use of limited resources.

Additional Details

• This position indirectly reports to the Vice Chancellor of Research & Engagement.

Work Schedule

• Required to work some nights and weekends, as needed.

Salary Information

Level 36

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination 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 UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Jul 22 2024 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Oct 27 2024 Eastern Daylight Time