Administrative Director, Remote Sensing Center

The Remote Sensing Center (RSC) at The University of Alabama seeks an accomplished Administrative Director (AD) to assist the Center Director in running a world-class federally funded research center on the campus in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 

UA, having doubled in size since 2002, has been the nation’s fastest-growing flagship university. UA currently enrolls more than 38,500 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, and now attracts more than half of its students from out-of-state. Additionally, in recent years UA has invested $2.5 billion in campus buildings and infrastructure, including over $400 million in world-class research facilities. External grants and contracts for research, instruction, service and fellowship reached record levels for UA in fiscal year 2018 and have grown by 85 percent over the last five years.  In December 2018, the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education designated UA as a Very High Research Activity doctoral university or “R1.”  This is the nation’s highest level of research activity for institutions that grant doctoral degrees and places UA among the most elite, public or private, research universities in the United States. 

The Remote Sensing Center conceives, develops and operates high performance systems for demanding sensing missions, and has extensive national and international partnerships and research sponsors.  The Center brings together scientists and engineers in a rapid R&D environment to create game-changing solutions for national and worldwide partners and collaborators.  The RSC was initiated in 2017 at The University of Alabama under the direction of Center Director Dr. Prasad Gogineni, Cudworth Professor of Engineering.  

Position Summary

The AD assists the Center Director in the overall management of the RSC, serves as the information "gatekeeper" and resource for all members of the RSC; and is the RSC's financial and personnel manager.  The AD also serves as the liaison for all RSC personnel with the appropriate University units for financial oversight, operations and administration management. Working closely with the Center Director and management team, the AD serves as the primary point of contact in the day-to-day operations of the center, assists the in the overall management and development of the RSC, and serves as manager for finance, HR, IT, contracts/grants and student services.  The AD is also the primary liaison between the center and external agencies, promotes and participates in strategic proposal and program development, peer-reviewed publications, and is primarily responsible for executing the center’s internal and external communications. 

The purview of the AD is broad; thus, strong applicants with current or prior experience in many different professional settings are encouraged including university, corporate and government entities. The AD position will be hired as an Associate, Full or Senior Research Scientist depending on education and experience.  The target salary range will be $85,000-$130,000 commensurate with education and experience. This is a full-time, 12-month staff position that is not tenure earning.   

Job Duties

• Administrative Coordination of Center Activities (30% effort). The AD will manage multiple fiscal years, many different sets of rules and regulations, the Center’s annual budget, full and part-time researchers and students, and supervise staff assigned to the AD by the Director.
• Financial Management (30% effort). The AD is responsible for budgeting, accounting and reporting in order to maximize efficient use of funding, while ensuring compliance with rules and regulations.
• Liaison with University/Sponsoring Agencies (10% effort).  The AD is the guardian of university and agency system requirements (federal regulations, proposal processing, etc.) and responsible for networking with university administration and federal agencies to keep abreast of latest changes.
• Information Management and Communication (10% effort).   The AD will have oversight of management information systems and report generation processes (multiple reports to sponsoring agencies, university) and responses to requests with accurate and timely information in format required.
• Personnel Management (10% effort). The AD will hire, supervise and develop center administrative personnel and manage documents and human resource policies for academic, research and student appointments in compliance with university personnel regulations.
• Other Duties as Assigned (10% effort).                                                                          

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree in STEM-related discipline and five (5) years of relevant experience; or PhD in STEM-related discipline and three (3) years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated abilities in accounting, finance and/or business administration
• Demonstrated successful experience in project management and coordinating projects involving many individual and institutional participants
• Full appreciation of the multiple overlapping missions of a comprehensive research-intensive university
• Acute understanding of the priorities, operation and strategies of successfully securing externally-funded grants and contracts to support research and executing the aims of the grants and contracts
• Demonstrated skills in planning and organizing, integrating information, problem solving, making decisions and attaining results; excellent oral and written communication skills; and computer literacy including Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills
• Demonstrated organization, leadership, interpersonal and communication skills through successful outcomes in academic, industrial or governmental positions 
• Evidence of being goal-oriented, able to multitask, prioritize and manage time effectively
• History of successful and effective staff management and professional development
• Must have valid U.S. driver’s license; must be at least 21 years of age at time of hire and have an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report as determined by the insurance carrier

Preferred Qualifications and Experience:

• A MS or PhD degree in engineering
• A strong scientific understanding of the mission of RSC, including the use of radio-frequency and radar systems
• Experience in a comprehensive research-intensive institution  
• Experience in the preparation and submission of successful grant and/or contract proposals
• Experience in the preparation and publication of peer-reviewed articles and manuscripts as a co-author
• Experience in the direct accounting and financial oversight of awarded contracts and grants
• Knowledge of university fiscal and administrative policies (e.g., effort certification, purchasing, travel, professional services, payroll)
• Experience in various research compliance matters

The earliest planned start date is December 1, 2019 and the latest planned start date is February 1, 2020. Only applicants currently legally eligible to work in the United States will be considered. 

This is an open, national and rolling search.  Review of applications will begin immediately as they are received.  Candidates meeting all of the required qualifications may be contacted immediately for inquiry and an interview.  It is possible that a preferred candidate may be selected as other applications are still being received.  Therefore, the most serious and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible. 

To receive full consideration, applications should be submitted prior to November 8, 2019; however, the position will remain open until filled.  Applications submitted after November 8, 2019 will be reviewed and considered as long as the position remains unfilled.   Application materials should include:  1) a full and updated resume, 2) cover letter summarizing interest in the position and how the minimum qualifications and any preferred qualifications are met, and 3) a list of four references with full contact information.  However, references will only be contacted after written consent of the candidate.