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.
Primary Responsibilities
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 P ogram 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.