Associate Director For Administration

Administration Directorate

The National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) advances discovery and innovation through extreme-scale computing, science-enabling software, and the skills of our expert staff. The center is part of the flagship University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign—a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement—and is located in a micro-urban community that combines cultural vibrancy with affordability and quality of life.

For more than 30 years, NCSA has partnered with visionaries to discover solutions to grand challenges for the benefit of science and society. Our advanced digital resources and world-class staff push research beyond the unimaginable. Can you imagine? We can.

NCSA is seeking a talented, highly-motivated individual to lead its Administration Directorate as the Associate Director (AD) for Administration. The successful candidate will serve as NCSA's principal administrative and budget officer and the Director's chief of staff. They will provide leadership, management and vision necessary to ensure that the NCSA has the proper processes, administrative structure and reporting procedures and systems in place to effectively grow and to ensure financial strength. The AD provides expert advice and guidance to the Director and NCSA leadership; develops, recommends and oversees implementation of policies, strategies, and programs. They will also provide leadership of the core administrative functions (including the Business and HR offices, Communications, and Facilities) in the NCSA, and will strive to ensure excellence in the Center's operations.

NCSA is committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community. Candidates who have experience working with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students, and who can contribute to the climate of inclusivity are encouraged to apply.

• Oversee administration operations of the Center to meet the Center's strategic goals and mission. This includes leading NCSA's Administration Directorate, which is comprised of human resources, business operations, project management, communications, facilities, and administrative support. Empower managers and supervisors to lead inclusive teams.
  • Keep NCSA Director and leadership apprised of significant developments.
  • Ensure that the operational functions are well-aligned and performing efficiently and responsively, and that they support the research activities of the Center.
  • Advise and coordinate with the Director and NCSA leadership on short and long-term planning for the Directorate, including multi-year projections, opportunities for cost efficiencies and other critical areas.
• Mentor, guide, and counsel the NCSA Director and other Executive leadership on Center and University operational policies and procedures. Foster leadership commitment to diversity and inclusion and the impact on engagement.
• Provide for all staff a strong day-to-day leadership presence. Bridge programs and operations, and support collaborations among all staff.
• Speak on behalf of the Director in matters affecting NCSA administrative operations. Make decisions as to how operational resources and capacity are determined, planned, and allocated.
• Serve as NCSA principal administrative and budget officer and Director's chief of staff.
• Build, manage and maintain trusted relationships with key partners and stakeholders. Coordinate and work closely with OVCRI leadership and staff.
• Represent the Center at all times through a success-oriented, service-focused and professional demeanor. Work with other HPC centers, the NCSA External Advisory Committee, and external sponsors and partners as needed. Actively engage in the campus community including faculty members and the internal advisory committee, represent the NCSA in administrative matters across campus units, committees and special efforts.
• Empower the NCSA leadership team and its members with the leadership and resources they need to successfully complete operations initiatives. Foster employee alignment with NCSA goals, mission and vision. Supervise and mentor direct reports, including performance direction, conducting annual evaluations and providing feedback and guidance as needed. Recognize, mentor and develop rising talent. Assist Assistant Directors and other direct reports with business and operation development activities.
• Assume responsibility for special projects as requested.
• Participate on NCSA, OVCRI or campus committees as needed. Assume additional related duties to further the mission of the Center.

• Work to build in-depth understanding of existing basic NCSA operations and functionality and build the NCSA to ensure alignment with commonly accepted practices while assuring compliance with university requirements. Develop a system of shared values and operating principles that form the foundation of NCSA operations.
• Translate strategy into actionable goals for performance and growth, helping to implement NCSA-wide goal setting, performance management and annual operation planning. Analyze internal operations and identify areas of process enhancement. Identify potential opportunities and challenges both in the short and long term and approach situations from a creative point of view.
• Collaborate with NCSA senior leadership to accomplish short and long-term operational goals and to recommend, establish and implement policies and strategies to facilitate an excellent, highly functional and successful center.
• Ensure all business and operational policies, processes, and procedures are in place to effectively oversee the planning, and execution of a range of sponsored research activities.
• Facilitate informed decision-making regarding resource allocation within NCSA; provide leadership in the identification, establishment and reporting on various metrics used to inform resource allocation within the NCSA. Organize data gathering, reporting and analysis; organize materials needed for NCSA leadership to plan, evaluate and strategize; oversee maintenance of records of the NCSA. Produce NCSA operations reports; measure and report on operational performance and develop plans to improve relevant key performance indicators. Write and submit reports on all matters of importance.

• Advanced degree in relevant field and at least five years of increasingly responsible leadership experience (with at least two years' experience demonstrating advanced organizational leadership), or Bachelor's degree in related field with eight years of increasingly responsible leadership experience (with at least four years' experience demonstrating advanced organizational leadership). Alternate degree fields and combination of degree and experience will be considered/accepted depending on depth and nature of experience and relevance of degree as it relates to this position.
• Higher education administrative experience managing finances/business operations, complex units and/or large projects or programs at a high level, preferably in a research-oriented institution.
• Must have a record of highly ethical conduct.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a talented and diverse team.
• Experience managing relationships.
• Must possess integrity, grit, determination, creativity, loyalty, and ability to think and act strategically.
• Ability to anticipate future consequences and trends and incorporate them into the organizational plan.

• Professional experience in a research-intensive environment.
• Experience working with federal or large non-federal agencies.

• High level understanding of all business and administrative functions such as, HR, Public Affairs and Communication, Facilities Operations, Finance, etc.
• Familiar with operational procedures at all levels.
• Budget-focused mindset.
• Demonstrated financial forecasting abilities and analytical skills, coupled with strong change management skills and willingness to embrace innovative financial strategies and service approaches.
• Demonstrated competency in strategic planning and development.
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven mindset that translate into leadership skills.
• Understanding of data analysis and performance/operations metrics.
• Ability to diagnose problems quickly with problem solving skills.
• Ability to inspire employees to live up to their potential and optimize their productivity and resourcefulness.
• A background that establishes immediate credibility with faculty, constituents and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have demonstrated ability with confidentiality of sensitive matter and a high level of professionalism and attention to detail.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills and the ability to balance competing priorities from multiple requesters.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and networking experience across universities, national laboratories, or state and federal agencies.
• Ability to influence and motivate constituencies which could span multiple organizational boundaries.
• Dedication to building and growing a strong and stable team.
• Ability to make sound decisions using good judgment and innovative and creative problem solving in pressure situations.
• Ability to function independently and highly self-motivated.
• Understanding of University of Illinois business operations, finance, public affairs, facilities and other relevant guidelines, procedures and processes.

This is a regular academic professional position at NCSA and is an annually renewable, 12/12, 100%-time appointment with regular University benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience and start date will be as soon as possible after the close date of the search. Applicants must possess required education and experience by start date of position. Interviews may occur before the closing date; however, all applications received by the closing date will receive full consideration. For further information regarding our application procedures, please email hudgens2@illinois.edu.

To apply, please create your candidate profile at jobs.illinois.edu and upload your cover letter and CV/resume by the close date, February 16, 2021. Contact information for three references must be included on the application. For full consideration, candidates must complete the Hiretouch application process by the above date.

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.

For further information regarding our application procedures, you may visit www.ncsa.illinois.edu or email NCSA-HR@illinois.edu.