Director of Operations and Strategy

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research ( OVCR) oversees, develops, supports, and grows UNC-Chapel Hill's $1 billion research enterprise. The offices reporting to the OVCR set strategic priorities for research, manage proposals and awards, provide research infrastructure, identify funding opportunities, develop research teams and partnerships, oversee regulatory compliance, and communicate the impact and value of the University's research enterprise. The OVCR enables research endeavors for faculty, students, and scholars; encourages interdisciplinary research collaboration across campus; and fosters expansion and diversification of the University's sponsored research portfolio by collaborating with foundations, federal agencies, corporations, and the state and federal governments. The Vice Chancellor for Research also oversees multiple pan-University, multidisciplinary research centers and institutes.

The Winston National Center on Technology Use, Brain, and Psychological Development at the University of North Carolina seeks a Director of Operations and Strategy to work with the Center's leadership to execute short- and long-term strategic outcomes, oversee deployment of existing and future outreach and research programs, manage an operational budget funded by a large private donation, provide programmatic support, manage and elevate communications, establish and maintain relationships with Center donors and other stakeholders, support development efforts, and manage human resources, among other responsibilities as directed. The Director of Operations and Strategy will hold a critical leadership position focused on managing a diverse range of workplace responsibilities in a fast-paced and dynamic research environment. This position will work independently under the direction of the Center's directors and in collaboration with the Vice Chancellor Research or designee. This position will act on delegated authority to manage all research and outreach operations and handle executive decision-making in the absence of leadership.

Primary responsibilities will include:
* Develop, manage and supervise the strategic implementation of all Center operations and outreach initiatives
* Identify and apply (as appropriate) for speaking opportunities that will raise the public profile of the Center, with an eye toward those that have the greatest opportunity for return on investment.
* Represent the Center's activities, opportunities, and limitations to potential partners or collaborators
* Participate in speaking engagements and follow up with potential donors in a timely manner
* Establish and maintain connections with potential donors
* Provide consultation informed by conformance with strategic priorities and fundraising potential on the types of projects the Center pursues
* Liaise with Arts and Sciences Foundation and University development staff, current donors, and the Winston family
* Oversee the development of outreach materials like Center annual reports or leave-behinds that promote the center and its accomplishments
* Provide consultation on effective outward facing resources (i.e., other than scholarly manuscripts) would help raise the profile of the Center
* Assist the Center Directors and manage all other Center personnel and administrative staff
* Direct and lead day to day operations, including staff, communications, and financial management

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.

The candidate must have:
* Relevant supervisory experience
* Demonstrated success and ability with contractual discussions and comfort with negotiations
* Ability to analyze complex situations, identify workable solutions, and make appropriate determinations based on regulations and the particular policies, sensitivities, and needs of the Principal Investigators, departments and schools being impacted
* Knowledge of accounting principles
* Communications experience
* Knowledge of fundraising
* Extreme attention to detail

The candidate must have the ability to:
* Interface effectively with multiple faculty and staff with a customer-service focus
* Cultivate and steward existing and potential donors
* Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills
* Manage and organize multiple priorities and perform under pressure in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment
* Manage difficult situations, while maintaining professionalism and a positive attitude
* Be diplomatic when necessary and direct when appropriate

The candidate must be able to demonstrate a range of professional skills and abilities, including:
* Good leadership, diplomacy, judgment, and decision-making
* Strong management of multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
* Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills
* Strategic and innovative thinking

* Minimum five (5) years of relevant supervisory experience
* Minimum seven (7) years of professional experience managing faculty research portfolios that include federal extramural funding
* Experience with clinical and research regulatory requirements (e.g., experience with clinicaltrials.gov, FDA applications, IRB, EPIC and HIPAA laws highly preferred)
* Experience and full knowledge of UNC systems including but not limited to ConnectCarolina, PeopleAdmin, Infoporte, RAMSES, and ALICE sites

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.