Associate Director

Universities of Wisconsin•Milwaukee, WI

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is Wisconsin’s second-largest university, with a unique dual mission of access and research to provide high-quality education for students from all backgrounds. UWM is one of 187 top research universities recognized as “R1” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. At UWM, we are committed to creating positive employee experiences, so our team members are able to thrive and excel in their work. UWM offers a comprehensive benefits package and contributes toward the cost of several benefit plans. Employees with a qualifying position also receive an extensive leave package including vacation, sick leave (with no expiration), personal holiday, and paid legal holidays. Please visit this link to view summary benefits information (Compensation figures are for example purposes only).

Requirements

PhD’s degree in civil engineering, materials engineering, construction engineering, or a closely related field.
At least five years of progressively responsible experience in applied research, technical program leadership, research administration, industry-university collaboration, or a related professional setting.
Demonstrated experience coordinating or supporting complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, timelines, budgets, or deliverables.
Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences through reports, presentations, correspondence, or meetings.
Experience building and maintaining productive working relationships with faculty, staff, students, industry partners, sponsors, agencies, or professional organizations.
Demonstrated problem-solving, organizational, and independent judgment skills in a dynamic professional or research environment.
Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence and to fostering a respectful, welcoming, and collaborative workplace.

Nice To Haves

PhD in civil engineering, materials science, construction engineering, or a closely related field.
Professional experience in one or more CAN-relevant areas such as concrete materials, cementitious systems, infrastructure materials, durability, decarbonization, structural materials, additive manufacturing, machine learning, or data-enabled materials research.
Work experience with university research center, industry consortium, professional society, standards organization, or other multi-institution environment.
Experience supporting proposal development, sponsored research administration, budgeting, or sponsor reporting.
Experience managing subcontracted, consultant-led, or externally partnered technical projects.
Familiarity with ACI, ASTM, or other standards and guidance relevant to concrete, construction materials, or infrastructure research.
Experience serving on technical committees, advisory boards, standards groups, or industry association activities.
Experience planning and facilitating technical meetings, semi-annual member meetings, workshops, conferences, or similar stakeholder events.
Experience developing training, technical communications, newsletters, annual reports, websites, or outreach materials for a research center or professional organization.
Experience contributing to membership development, external partnerships, sponsorship cultivation, or business-development efforts for a research or technical program.
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) / Engineer in Training (EIT) credentials
Strong analytical skills, including the ability to synthesize complex technical information and draw sound conclusions.
Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands, handle multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, and listening skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and constituencies.
Professional judgment, discretion, and the ability to work effectively with confidential or sensitive information.
Initiative, flexibility, and willingness to take on new assignments in support of Center priorities.
Willingness and ability to travel to conferences, meetings, workshops, and industry events as needed

Responsibilities

May supervise the day-to-day activities of a research unit as needed
Identifies research problems and develops complex research methodologies and procedures
Serves as a unit subject matter expert and liaison to internal and external stakeholders providing advanced level information and representing the interests of a specialized research area
Collects and analyzes complex research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures under general supervision
Monitors program budget and approves unit expenditures
Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities
Attends and assists with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and the dissemination of research information
Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding
Serve as a technical and strategic resource to the Center Director and relevant advisory, governance, or program committees.
Coordinate day-to-day center operations, technical activities, and cross-functional initiatives in support of CAN’s mission and growth.
Assist in developing proposals, scopes of work, requests for proposals, project plans, and sponsor-facing materials for Center-supported activities.
Manage or support externally funded and/or outsourced projects involving consultants, academic partners, laboratories, or other collaborating entities; monitor timelines, deliverables, and quality of work.
Review technical reports, publications, training content, and other Center products and provide input on technical quality, relevance, and dissemination.
Help organize and facilitate member meetings, workshops, seminars, research reviews, and strategic planning sessions.
Represent the Center in conferences, industry events, technical committees, standards groups, and outreach activities, as assigned.
Cultivate strong working relationships with faculty, students, industry partners, sponsors, agencies, and professional organizations.
Support membership development, partnership cultivation, and other efforts that strengthen the Center’s long-term sustainability and external impact.
Contribute to communications, annual reporting, and outreach activities that showcase the Center’s research, education, and workforce-development mission