Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

Research Operations Managers oversee the strategic and tactical administration of large scope operations (i.e., Research Institutes); oversee operation wide projects including establishing and communicating the strategic mission and initiating and monitoring specific initiatives; represent the operation within the University on committees and other strategic planning activities; develop and implement policies and procedures, and recommend changes to improve performance specific to the unit’s/college’s mission.

• Provides leadership for a research unit, center, facility, or institute; oversee the unit’s operational functions, which may include research activities, facilities, IT, communication, compliance, and resource allocation in alignment with the direction of the unit/college’s leadership; direct the administrative infrastructure of the research unit to ensure the delivery of quality outcomes
• Collaborate with HR on the operation’s staffing, employee development, and performance management; provide leadership and mentoring to assigned employees
• Lead the implementation of strategic planning efforts including the collection, evaluation, and reporting of performance data, operational improvements, and operating procedures; ensure that research operations align with the unit’s strategic objectives for growth; accelerate innovation and commercialization opportunities
• Develop budgets, prepare financial analysis, and develop and implement financial strategies integral to strategic planning; work closely with the unit/college’s Financial Officer; provide oversight and consultation in the areas of award administration, budget development, investments, salary allocation, and grant initiatives
• Oversee purchasing for the operation; recommend and/or write requests for proposals (RFPs), review recommendations and participate in selection process
• Manage relationships with faculty, partnering departments and colleges, and external stakeholders to advance the mission of the research unit and grow the research program; collaborate with the University research community to develop new projects; pursue opportunities to secure funding, identify new sponsors, and promote the research activities of the center through presentations, workshops, and industry engagement
• Ensure health and safety standards and regulatory compliance for assigned area
• Collaborate with senior management on benchmarking program effectiveness, developing appropriate metrics, and identifying continuous process improvements

Level:

– Manager

Base Description:

– Manages direct reports where primary duty is the management of a working unit.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates proficient ability in work design, project management, financial planning and development of goals for accomplishing unit assignments. Reviews and guides work to ensure conformity to policy and effective approaches. Evaluates employee performance and recommend development opportunities. Demonstrates ability to coach employees. Presents and communicates key university indicatives and connects it to unit contributions. Provides broad guidelines. Develops, evaluates, enhances, and/or implements quality improvement practices. Recommends innovative solutions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Oversees a team (typically 4 or more; no fewer than 2) full
– time direct reports of individual contributors and/or first level supervisors.

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Monitors and tracks department/area budget
– May plan, forecast, and/or assist in developing budgets
– May have final signature authority for specific area

Problem Solving:

– Encounters varied and complex problems
– Helps to develop creative and/or novel approaches to resolve problems that are difficult in nature but within limited scope
– Modifies, adapts, or refines guidelines if necessary to resolve issues or problems

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on complex or strategic assignments
– Uses existing practices and advanced working knowledge to determine appropriate work methods for the team
– Reviews completed work of others for conformity to policy, and effectiveness of approach
– Delegates advanced tasks to others

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and various areas across the University
– Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and delivers to a broad variety of audiences
– Communicates key university initiatives and how unit’s work contributes to their achievement
– Presents ideas, concepts and instructions in a clear manner, and uses persuasion and negotiation to build consensus and cooperation
– Establishes and maintains networks to facilitate successful communication among units

• Comp Grade – 13
• Minimum – $86,300.00
• MidPoint – $107,900.00
• Maximum – $129,500.00