Senior Director of Operations

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 Senior Director of Operations for the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) is responsible for daily functions related to project management and facility operations for various facilities within the College of Natural Sciences. The position will heavily rely on multi-faceted communications to coordinate resources, expertise and services efficiently and effectively to continuously support a complex research, teaching and outreach operation. The Senior Director works closely with the Associate Dean for Administration, Finance, & Operations in developing, planning, designing and executing projects in partnership with the University's various departments including Design and Construction Management, Physical Plant, Environmental Health and Safety, Animal Care and Disability Services to insure the safe, efficient, and effective operation of approximately 2.7 million square feet of laboratory, office and classroom spaces on and off the Amherst campus.

Essential Functions

• Provides planning, project management, leadership, and support for CNS Dean's Office priority projects and initiatives including new construction or renovation, facilities maintenance and repair, and operations of CNS buildings. Directs efforts to align with evolving priorities. Projects budgets dependent on circumstances from $2K up to $1M+.
• Coordinates work done by Physical Plant, Design & Construction Management, and outside contractors on behalf of CNS, managing follow-through on critical action items ensuring all projects are executed within project timeframe, scope and budget.
• Prepares and submits recommendations for maintenance and facility operations. Negotiates costs with Facilities and Campus Services and oversees expenditures for appropriateness within budget parameters. Monitors work requests and change orders and consults with university offices regarding routine and special maintenance projects.
• Represents the interests of the College's customer base in addressing their operational needs by developing a strong, mutually beneficial partnership with the University's Physical Plant to troubleshoot and problem solve issues within the various facilities in a timely manner.
• Serves as primary CNS contact with Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S). Responds to emergencies and serve as primary contact and coordinator for crisis management. Consults with University personnel and determines appropriate steps to resolve immediate problems. Actively works to identify hazards in a laboratory setting and mitigate safety issues.
• Provides day-to-day supervision of the college's operations including direct supervision of 3-5 employees. Provides oversight and supervision for the CNS Glass Shop and consolidated Greenhouse and operations, including review of space requests and recharge of services for care, maintenance, and propagation of plants for research and teaching, as well as special plant collections. Indirectly manages coordination of facilities/operations employees embedded in CNS departments.
• Maintains a working knowledge of architecture, engineering and design principles, building systems, code regulations and construction practices, particularly as is applicable to specialized research facilities and research activities, and applies this knowledge to complex problems.
• Purchases and oversees the maintenance and repair of equipment purchased by the CNS. Assists department staff with troubleshooting equipment issues.
• Identifies and mitigates issues relating to maintenance and construction activities that may generate excessive noise, dust and vibration that may impact sensitive research facilities such as animal care facilities or sensitive instruments.
• Manages and prepares presentations, memos, proposals, excel spreadsheets and databases, and various other communication collecting cross functional input.
• Evaluates, decommissions, decontaminates, and troubleshoots various lab equipment. Assists in decontamination of labs following ANSI decommissioning policy mandated by Campus Administration.
• Represents the Associate Dean and the College in an appropriate manner, exercising a high level of discretion and professionalism, tact, confidentiality, and sound judgment.

Other Functions

• Attends various trainings for equipment and licensing.
• Operates with self-direction, demonstrates initiative and creativity.
• Works collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
• Works in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean's strategic priorities.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required in support of the mission and goals and objectives of the Department, College of Natural Sciences and University.

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

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of five (5) years of work experience coordinating building maintenance, new construction or renovation projects OR Associate's degree and seven (7) years of work experience coordinating building maintenance, new or renovation projects.
• A valid driver's license.
• Staff supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to independently set priorities, plan, organize, coordinate and direct multiple, concurrent projects and complex tasks, coupled with the ability to develop and move strategic agendas forward and drive a high volume of work to completion.
• Project management expertise with a proven record of performance driven results. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with diverse faculty, staff, administration, and external constituents credibly and diplomatically, and build and maintain positive working relationships to ensure collaboration and cooperation among administrative units.
• Ability to effectively coordinate and comprehend the work of staff, consultants, contractors and others connected with this work. Anticipates project issues and establishes plans to remedy in a timely and efficient fashion.
• Ability to utilize independent judgment. Uses and manages access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.
• Knowledge of research and teaching facilities and utilization requirements.
• Proven working knowledge of laboratory safety and security issues (including HVAC and MEP systems) building codes, construction methods, and scientific research operations required.
• Proven ability to manage budgets.
• Ability to identify hazards in a lab setting and mitigate safety issues.
• Ability to obtain OSHA 10. Laboratory Safety, Fire Safety, and Radiation Safety certifications within 60 Days.

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

• Construction Supervisor's License.
• Experience in laboratory planning, design and construction.
• Experience in higher education environment.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Ability to access any portion of a construction site/facility, including working at heights and in confined spaces.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
• Ability to be called in after hours for job as well as weekends if needed.

Salary Information

Level 28

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and a Contributions to Inclusive Excellence Statement (see below). 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.

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan. For this reason, we request that all applicants submit a Contributions to Inclusive Excellence Statement that addresses how you see yourself contributing to our community and campus climate and/or our shared goals of building a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse community.

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.