Location: Vestal, NY Category: Professional & Support Staff Posted On: Sat Sep 28 2024 Job Description:

Binghamton University is looking for an experienced, dynamic, and driven Senior Director of Operations to oversee the operations of the NSF funded Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine. The NSF Engines Program represents one of the single largest investments in place-based research and development, positioning science and technology leadership as the central driver for regional economic competitiveness, The coalition seeks a strong, collaborative and financially astute Senior Director who can drive operational excellence and manage activities across a diverse portfolio of projects that include academic, industry, non-profit, and government stakeholders.

The Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine Program, led by Binghamton University brings together an unparalleled constellation of resources and infrastructure, premier R&D universities and training organizations, economic development and community organizations, and government agencies and industry, to grow a leading battery technology ecosystem in Upstate New York with regional and national impacts. Lead partner institutions include Cornell, RIT, Syracuse University, NYBEST and LaunchNY. This program is built on the core pillars of use-inspired and industry driven research, technology transfer, workforce preparedness, and inclusive engagement. It will establish a full battery-cycle ecosystem in Upstate New York, connecting key industry stakeholders, supporting domestic development and engineering, facilitating faster transition of innovative technologies, and growing an advanced workforce across the battery lifecycle from materials processing to recycling and recovery.

Additionally, the Binghamton University led coalition has secured the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) award and the federal Tech Hub designation, complementing the NSF Engines award. All three programs will operate in unison, leveraging synergy of investments and activities to realize the vision of making Upstate New York a national innovation hub in battery technology.

The Senior Director of Operations will work closely with the Engine CEO, CIO and the leadership team to drive operational excellence, speed and efficiency in the Engine's operations, provide compliance and regulatory oversight, oversee financial planning and budget, and develop and implement strategies that drive scale overall programmatic success. The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional with a proven track record in operational leadership, strategic planning, and programmatic development within technology innovation.

Core responsibilities include:

Operations Strategy & Management

• Lead operational strategy, working with the Engine CEO, CIO, and relevant leadership team to ensure alignment with the Engine's vision and goals.

• Lead the day-to-day operational responsibilities of the Engine, managing a team of 5-7 senior personnel including external partners.

• Work with the three pillar leaders of the Engine to establish annual, quarterly, and monthly plans and ensure timely progress against these plans.

• Work with the three pillar Program Managers to oversee the operational implementation of various programs, including funding and training programs.

• Oversee accurate and timely reporting to the NSF, including strategic planning and implementation documents.

• Oversee compliance and regulatory activities including IP and data management.

• Support external program partners in designing and implementing Engines programs.

• Work with external evaluator for independent program assessment, evaluation and sponsor reporting.

Budget and Grants Administration

• Oversee budget, finance, and resource allocation to support the Engine's objectives.

• Coordinate between leadership, program sponsor representatives, and external programmatic partners, including supporting program sponsor cooperative agreement communications.

• Oversee accurate and timely federal reporting requirements, including all financial reporting requirements of the NSF.

• Support monitoring of relevant program budget and financial planning.

• Participate in the grant writing and review process in response to requests for proposals to secure state, federal, and/or local funding to expand Engine programs.

Outreach, Communications, and Engagement

• Oversee the development and management of the marketing team, including brand promotion, website development, social media, events, newsletter, and news releases.

• Support pillar leaders in outreach efforts to external industry stakeholders and cultivation of new partnerships to grow the ecosystem.

  Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in business, physical or engineering sciences, or related field.

• Ten years of program or operational manager experience, within a complex organization

• Strong background in strategic planning, process improvement, and organizational development.

• Financial acumen with the ability to manage budgets and optimize resource allocation.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively at all levels.

• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse coalition of academic, industry, government and non-profit organizations. public- and private-sector stakeholders, including startup companies and industry partners.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

• Ability to work under pressure and collaborate effectively with the team, industry partners, and governance board to achieve the organization's mission.

• Demonstrated ability to respond to rapidly changing environments.

• High level analytical skills, excellent judgement and creative problem-solving skills.

Preferred

• Advanced degree such as MBA, Masters in a STEM Field, JD or PhD in relevant field.

• Strong network of strategic partners to provide resources such as mentoring, training, consulting.

• Experience with technology transfer, regional economic development, or community development

• Background in energy-related fields.

  Additional Information:

Salary: $170,000 annually based on education and experience. This is a grant-funded position, with potential for renewal based on the progress and growth of the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine. The ideal candidate will be instrumental in driving the development and success of the organization, with the opportunity to transition into a longer-term role if key milestones are achieved.

Employee Benefits: The Research Foundation for the State University of New York offers a comprehensive benefits package (https://benefits.rfsuny.org/) that is a valuable part of total compensation. This includes medical, dental, vision, dependent care subsidy and other benefits such as SUNY Tuition Assistance. Furthermore, our 10 Perks of Working at the RF (https://www.rfsuny.org/about-us/careers/) provides an at-a-glance view of our top benefits that make us a great place to work.

Research Foundation Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity

As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy-related conditions, reproductive health decisions, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic characteristics/genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, military status or service, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under federal, state or local law.

The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

The Research Foundation for SUNY is a private, not for profit corporation and is a separate employer from SUNY and the State of New York and offers separate compensation and benefit plans.

Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus.