Engineering a world of possibilities

Director of Operations for Federal Laboratory Educational and Research Partnership Programs

The Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines welcomes applications for the Director of Operations (DO) for Federal Laboratory Educational and Research Partnership Programs who assists in the development and maintenance of world-class graduate education programs in an interdisciplinary setting between Mines, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and other Federal Laboratories. Under the supervision of the Mines Program Director for Advanced Energy Systems (AES), the DO will direct and lead the day-to-day operations, and play a key role in the development, enhancement and implementation of the AES and other educational and research programs associated with NREL and other Federal laboratories. The ideal candidate will undertake a range of responsibilities as a result of these programs, representing the university’s aspiration to be top-of-mind and best-in-class. There will be a focus on recruiting a highly-qualified and diverse set of applicants for the doctoral research programs associated with AES and other such programs, and leading the recruitment and admission of a cohort of MS students each year. This position serves as the primary program point of contact for AES comprised of Mines and NREL colleagues, as well as similar programs that might be developed with other federal laboratories. The position leads the graduate student recruitment process, engages faculty expertise to review and enroll highly qualified and diverse students for the doctoral programs, and leads the admissions process for the integrated professional master’s programs. The Director of Operations collaborates with researchers at Mines and Federal Laboratory partners, and is responsible for fiscal management and analysis, along with identifying funding opportunities that offer the potential to enhance existing and/or develop new programs.
 

The Director of Operations provides management and administration, program development and outreach, fiscal management and analysis, and strategic planning for AES and related Federal Laboratory partnership programs. Responsibilities and programmatic target goals are included below. 
 

Mines/NREL ADVANCED ENERGY SYSTEMS PROGRAM (~70%) 

Administrative Leadership & Program Operations 

• Takes a lead role in operational oversight and manages day-to-day operations of the AES program. 

• Establishes regular communications between program partners so that coordination of PhD selection and placements into research groups is efficient and that complementary roles of advisors and mentors is well understood. 

• Leads the fiscal management and analysis of all funds related to the AES program, under the supervision of the Mines AES Program Director. 

• Develops and maintains sponsor and partner annual reports. 

• Ensures both the Mines and the applicable Federal Laboratory mission, values, guidelines, policies & procedures are implemented and maintained.

• Reviews processes and recommends changes to incorporate state-of-the-art technology as appropriate into the administrative, recruitment, marketing, and educational components. 
   

Graduate Student Advising & Support

• Primary point of contact for all prospective and enrolled AES students and alumni.

• Curriculum advisor for all Master of Science, Non-Thesis (MSNT) students and lead MSNT advisor for program planning, graduation, and internships.

• Liaision between students and industry parters for employment and internships.

• Anticipates and leads comprehensive students support, and plans and implements individual meetings, workshops, and events to promote graduate student success.

• Tracks individual and cohort-based metrics including graduation, time to degree, retention, graduate student satisfaction.
   

AES Program Development & Strategic Planning

• Works with the AES Program Directors to identify opportunities to enable the AES program to achieve its goals, objectives and mission related to enrollment, retention, graduate student satisfaction, job and internship placements, and alumni and external relations.

• Works with AES Program Directors and Vice President for Global Initiatives to investigate opportunities for AES Program expansion via executive on-line masters or certificate programs. 

• Works with leadership to find external sources of support for the program (state, federal, philanthropy).

• Develops, administers, and maintains strategic plans, and analyze market/industry trends and how they may impact the AES program’s strategic plan.
   

Outreach, Curriculum & Joint Faculty Coordination 

• Plans, organizes, implements all activities related to AES Graduate Student Orientation, Visit Days, Graduation, Advisor Orientation, Mentor Orientation, Fall Welcome Reception. 

• Develops and executes outreach activities to successfully build a strong, best-in-class program, developing relationships with potential academic and industry partners and sponsors, 

• Coordinates with NREL and Mines colleagues to ensure consistent marketing and brand messages via print, web, and social media sites. Incorporates social media and networking into program/project aspects as appropriate. 

• Fosters strong community of scholars via special events and programs, such as summer research experiences.

Other Federal Research Laboratory Education and Research Partnership Programs (~30%) 

• Works with Director of Materials and Energy Programs to expand educational and research interactions with other Federal laboratories (NIST, LANL, LLNL, INL, USGS, SNL, PNNL, etc.) for the purpose of admissions and placement of graduates

• Works with director and staff to streamline relationships between Mines and other Federal Laboratories including joint appointments, funding mechanisms, etc. 

• Works with Mines leadership and ORA to better define the joint appointments in terms of rights, privileges, expectations, etc. 

• Coordinates and conducts outreach and networking events to connect administrators and researchers at Federal Laboratory partner organizations with Mines student recruitment, and with graduate students and faculty.
   

Additional Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned.
   

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Science or Engineering, Higher Education or Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or other related field. 

• Experience developing multi-stakeholder partnerships with diverse industry, government, or non-profits collaborators. 

• Record of achievement in program development, management, and implementation. 

• Successful fund-raising, grant-management, and partnership development. 

• Strong education skills with emphasis on graduate education, teaching, and student advising.

• Communication skills including website development and social media.

• Strong education outreach skills in pipeline programming including e.g. relevant K-12 and combined programming.

• Excellent writing and editing skills.

• Interpersonal communications and relationship development skills.
   

Preferred Qualifications 

• Doctorate from an accredited institution relevant to academic advising and leadership role of interdisciplinary graduate engineering students.

• Leadership experience in higher education management and strategic planning (5 years or more).

• Interdisciplinary graduate student advising and teaching in engineering, business, and applied science 

• Experience with interdisciplinary graduate program development, management, and implementation. 

• Experience working within the energy sector and/or within a Federal Laboratory 

• Fund-raising and proposal writing experience. 
   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Experience in working within the energy and natural resources sector 

• Experience managing and directing the work of a team 

• Experience in developing interdisciplinary programs 

Salary Rate and Benefits

$101,800 – $113,300

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees. 

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care plans

• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.

• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution

• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)

• Free RTD Ecopass

• Access to an on-campus daycare center

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the on-campus Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more), equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center, the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP), and backup child and elder care. For more information about benefits at Mines, go to mines.edu/human-resources/benefits. 

How to Apply

Priority review will begin on 10/24/24 and continue until filled. Applicants must:

• Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)

• Upload a resume or CV

• Upload a cover letter

Contact Kathleen Feighny in HR at [email protected] with any questions. 

Mines welcomes everyone to our team; in your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc). If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.

Successful Completion of a Background Investigation is Required for this position. This posting may be used to fill multiple openings. 

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons.  Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses. Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce. Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequity or concerns for safety.

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