Director, Roadside Ecology Center - Prairie Research Institute

Duties & Responsibilities

• Research Regularly publish results of individual and center-level research outcomes in appropriate outlets including journals, conference proceedings, etc. Secure sponsored funds to support research efforts. Collaborate with faculty, research staff, technical staff, industry partners, and others to pursue research opportunities that advance the scientific mission and strategic goals of the Center. Prepare and/or deliver, as appropriate, presentations, briefings, and reports regarding activities for diverse audiences. Supervise and lead Center staff to achieve success in research and foster a culture of innovation and high-level performance at both individual and organizational levels. This includes task assignment, scheduling, ongoing performance management with coaching and feedback, career development planning, lease/travel approval, as well as conducting annual performance reviews.
• Administration Develop, implement, and manage Center operations through programs, policies, and objectives. Effectively manage finances within the available project funding for the Center. Track program budgets and progress to provide forecasts. Keep Survey Directors, PIs, and Supervisors informed of staff commitments associated with projects or Center activities. Develop and analyze program schedules, resource allocations, and budget inputs for annual operations for the development of new project proposals. Establish and maintain program status summaries and metrics. Ensure the appropriate levels of project governance to address risks and critical dependencies.
• Leadership Responsible for the development of the strategic plan and the development and implementation of programs, objectives, and long-range planning that are supportive of the Center. Identify, cultivate, and proactively establish partnerships among research staff across PRI, and members of the University community, academic institutions, government research laboratories, and industry to realize new services and capabilities through joint programs and projects. Develop new strategic relationships locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Represent the Center's expertise to stakeholders, sponsors, and the broader research community and participate as a leader/expert to identify the relevant experts across PRI and partners. Identify challenges that hinder the advancement and translation of research approaches and define and implement strategies for solving these challenges. Identify and develop funding opportunities in partnership with PRI staff. Develop strategy, policy, and collaborative relationships for the Center.
• Other Perform other duties as needed to further the mission and goals of the Center, PRI, and the University of Illinois. Keep abreast of developments in this discipline.