DIRECTOR, NATIONAL CAVE AND KARST RESEARCH INSTITUTE (NCKRI)

  New Mexico Tech seeks a dynamic and entrepreneurial-minded leader to serve as the Director of the National Cave and Kast Research Institute (NCKRI). The leader will ensure the Institute’s focus in the following functional areas: further the science of speleology; centralize and standardize speleological information; foster interdisciplinary cooperation in cave and karst research programs; promote public education; promote national and international cooperation in protecting the environment for the benefit of cave and karst landforms; and promote and develop environmentally sound and sustainable resource management practices. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Research the selected hire will oversee all facets of Institute management and planning. Specifically, they will be responsible for demonstrating leadership and/or ability in the following areas:

Strategic Direction - The Director must have an in-depth understanding of the focus areas of the institute for use in strategic planning for the Institute. The Director develops and presents strategic plans for review/approval of leadership and implementation by Institute staff. The Director works with the Associate VP for Research and the National Park Service to define priorities and direction of the Institute. The Director works with NCKRI employees and stakeholders to share the strategy to develop buy-in and support.

Business Development - The Director must have established relationships and credibility with experts and leaders. The Director will communicate with experts and leaders on a regular basis to explain NCKRI strategy, current projects, and accomplishments to emphasize the value of the Institute. The goal is to demonstrate why these stakeholders should support the NCKRI with funding, collaboration, or other resources. The Director will also oversee the development proposals, grant and contract applications,

and make funding presentations to companies, government agencies, prospective donors, and University leaders.

Management, Supervision, and Mentoring - The Director must have strong leadership and mentoring skills to inspire and manage employees, students, and collaborators. The Director will be the Principal or Co- Investigator on most NCKRI projects and will supervise a leadership team and both full- and part- time employees. The Director will lead and participate in the hiring, management, and supervision of employees. Research - The Director must have a desire to solve difficult problems through supervising and ensuring cutting edge research. The Director must be able to collaborate with experts in industry, academia, and government agencies on a variety of topics.

Communication - The Director will need excellent written communication skills to write proposals, papers, and articles, as well as to review papers written by the NCKRI team. The Director will need to make presentations about the Institute's research at technical conferences, professional meetings, and as a part of educational classes.

Education & Outreach - The Director must value the education and outreach mission of NMT. The Director will also work with the NCKRI Academic Director to recruit and guide leading experts in a wide variety of subject areas to provide content and presentations for courses and other training initiatives.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - The Director must demonstrate a commitment to promote a culture of respect where diversity, equity, and inclusion are embraced at all levels of the NCKRI team.

Job Functions:

1. General 20%

    

   1. Performs a full range of supervisory personnel management functions and supervising Senior Leadership, the activities of engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel including NMT faculty, staff, student, and contractor personnel.

       

      Makes program assignments to the NCKRI's existing workloads, mission area, funding status, organizational capabilities, and established priorities.

       

      Oversees the management and operation of the outdoor field research, testing, and training.

       

      Engages in effective and transparent decision-making, consistent with NMT and NCKRI goals and values, and in consultation with key stakeholders.

       

   Business Development 26%

    

   1. Provides vision for developing and expanding NCKRI’s enterprise across the spectrum from small scale programs to large scale, multi-disciplinary projects.

       

      Leads efforts to effectively organize and identify funding for the Institute’s research initiatives.

       

      Represents the Institute in high-level conferences with other top-level government, academic, and commercial management, scientific, and engineering groups to discuss, plan, and solidify program requirements and follow-up courses of action.

       

      Seeks out, then acts on business opportunities for the Institute and NMT; develops and establishes business-related partnerships; and crafts, coordinates, and finalizes formal agreements and contractual arrangements with customers/clients.

       

      Assumes full responsibility for planning, coordinating, and representing the Institute in institutional and functional activities.

       

      Fosters visionary initiatives that develop and connect faculty expertise with NCKRI’s research mission.

       

   Personnel 25%

    

   1. Periodically reviews progress and makes reassignments, if necessary, to keep the programs of NCKRI on schedule in terms of commitments and priorities.

       

      Evaluates subordinate supervisors and reviews evaluations performed by subordinate supervisors on other employees.

       

      Interviews candidates for vacant supervisory positions and makes selection of such.

       

      Advises, counsels, and instructs subordinates on both work and administrative matters.

       

      Hears formal group grievances and employee complaints that cannot be resolved by Senior Leadership supervisors.

       

      Reviews serious disciplinary actions and problems involving key Institute personnel.

       

      Maintains a continuous appraisal of the technical competence of the Institute's workforce and directs such actions as may be necessary for improvement of this competence through properly designated training.

       

      Approves the Institute's developmental and training programs.

       

      Periodically reviews job descriptions of subordinates for currency and accuracy and reviews positions to eliminate inappropriate jobs to achieve optimum position management.

       

      Ensures organizational adherence to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) principles and policies, and complies with NMT efforts on energy conservation, organizational safety, and security matters.

       

   Operations 25%

    

   1. Develops a sustainable financial model that includes a balanced budget, appropriate resources, and effective financial controls.

       

      With the Operations Director, provides oversight on the operations of NCKRI.

       

      Performs long-range planning for, and maintains continuous review of, resources, including funding and work activities of the Institute.

       

      Oversees and guides major expenditures for equipment, facilities, and additional personnel.

       

      Collaborates with heads of other NMT organizations and departments to negotiate, decide on, and coordinate work-related changes affecting their units and advises the Vice President for Research on problems involving the relationship of the work of the individual organizations to broader programs and its impact on such programs.

       

      Maintains technical contact with state agencies; federal agencies, and organizations such as, but not limited to, the National Park Service.

       

      Through the Vice President for Research and in coordination with the Director of Governmental Affairs, develops, establishes, and maintains a working relationship with New Mexico's congressional elected officials and their respective staffs.

       

      Leads the development of business opportunities and actively pursues collaborative efforts with federal, state, tribal, local, academic, and commercial entities.

       

      Resolves major technical or scheduling problems with test and training support elements or outside organizations through discussion with their representatives.

       

   Other duties as assigned by supervisor. 5%

    

Serves in other positions or performs other functions as needed or directed by the Associate Vice President for Research.

Required Qualifications Master's Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, or related field is. Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively advancing technical, management and marketing experience. Must have demonstrated skills and ability to communicate at all levels and to solve interpersonal problems. Strong leadership qualities and abilities to organize and manage contract research and development partnership with government and private industry. Demonstrated experience in managing staff.

Experience, knowledge and familiarity with top level administrators and decision makers from the federal government. Experience and knowledge of government functions, organization, appropriation processes, contracting methodologies and contracts in top level organizations. Current or past experience in obtaining funding and conducting research. Have a valid New Mexico Driver’s License or the ability to obtain and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver’s License within 30 days of employment.

Desired Qualifications Ph.D. or other doctorate level equivalent in relevant field of study is preferred. Familiarity and experience with government grants/contracts and procurement programs, particularly the National Park Service, National Science Foundation and private foundations. Leadership experiences in relations at the State and National levels. Demonstrated excellence in leading or participating in a complex

organization-focused on research, testing, or evaluation.