Director of Chemistry Facilities and Operations

Stony Brook University•Stony Brook, NY

19d

About The Position

Stony Brook University’s Chemistry Department scholars build and use their fundamental understanding of molecular structure innovatively to solve problems in order to improve the human condition globally. Undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers all work closely with faculty to innovate and educate in the acquisition and application of chemical knowledge. Stony Brook Chemistry partners with local and global communities in our research and education enterprise. Within the Department of Chemistry, this position will have responsibility for facilitating the overall goals, unique needs, and challenges of the department, by administering the department’s business operations. The successful incumbent will have excellent interpersonal skills, exercising strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail. Essential for this role is the adeptness to work independently as well as part of a team with a collaborative approach to problem solving. The incumbent is expected to have highly advanced strategic and analytical thinking skills with an ability to solve problems and make effective decisions. The incumbent must also be a self-starter, exercising excellent judgment in ensuring that all accounts remain in fiscal compliance at all times. The Director of Laboratories has overall oversight for the support operation for a vibrant graduate and faculty research program and a large undergraduate teaching program with the primary aim to safely and effectively maximize the productivity of the Department’s research and teaching mission. The Director of Laboratories can serve as the Departments liaison to the University on all appropriate technical matters related to facility performance and safety. The Director also supervises technical, administrative, and business staff, and manages departmental research support facilities, including budgetary oversight. The Director of Laboratories’ position is designed to ensure safe and efficient operations in the Chemistry building, which is the workplace for ~2000 students, faculty, and staff within 300,000 square feet of space, including ~175 teaching and research laboratories.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in either Chemistry, business, accounting, finance, or another related and relevant STEM field (such as Physics, Biology, Geosciences, etc.).
Two [2] years of full time, administrative experience, managing major business-related aspects, such as budget, personnel, and/or grants.
Advanced budget management experience along with full-time laboratory support experience.
Experience managing facility and/or laboratory safety and security.
Direct experience supervising or managing technical staff.
Experience in managing construction and renovation of laboratories or similar industrial spaces.

Nice To Haves

Advanced Degree, in Chemistry, business, accounting, finance, or another related and relevant STEM field (such as Physics, Biology, Geosciences, etc..).
Experience with one of the following: PeopleSoft, Oracle, COEUS, and/or HURON Click.
Experience working in a Higher Education/Academic environment.
Supervisory experience to include guiding, developing and leading staff career advancement.
Experience reviewing and overseeing projects, ensuring budget and deadlines are met.
Experience with SUNY State, RF, and/or SBF policies and procedures.
Knowledge of federal, state, or local agencies and their regulations (including on-line submission of grant proposals or reports).
Grants management experience.
Two [2] years of direct experience supervising or managing technical staff.
Two [2] years of budget management experience.
Two [2] years of experience in managing construction and renovation of laboratories or similar industrial spaces.
Strong understanding/background in related federal, state, and local code compliance with respect to EPA, OSHA, DEC, and OFPC.

Responsibilities

Financial Management: Provide leadership in managing all aspects of the business including operational planning, business/program development, and fiscal management. Educate and assist researchers, staff, and students in navigating regulations, any and all policies and procedures in a variety of areas (e.g., events, travel, moving, reimbursement expenses, and benefit packages). Represent the Department on the University-wide Department Administrators Committee. This position is responsible for overseeing the finances with a focus on results and financial accountability. Manage the departmental budget including reconciliation and accounting for all commitment balances. Develop operating and strategic budget plans and requests. Have oversight over all accounts and grants. Maintain detailed and accurate records of revenues and expenses; project financial needs on both a short-term and an annual basis. Interpret current CAS/Provost and State budget policies and guidelines and ensure that all allocations, deposits, and spending meet requirements. Organize and submit the annual report and the annual budget to the Provost.
Facility Management: Assist the Building Manager in the planning of capital projects, rehabs, and renovation with the goal of keeping the Chemistry Building a safe and efficient facility that supports the ever changing directions of the educational and research programs in the Chemistry Department. Provide the critical link between Chemistry faculty, students, and staff, and the design and construction managers for capital projects, rehabs, and renovations from the initial design phase through to completion of the construction and turnover of the space to users. Provide engineering support for research and instructional laboratory layout and equipment, as well as design plans for the Chemistry Building. Prepare justifications and budgets for major projects. Collaborate with the Building Manager on internal projects. Participate in the Space Committee, providing space assignment data and suggestions for needed policy changes. Implement policies for building safety. Represent the Department’s interests at SUCF, CPDC, COM, EHS, and IT meetings, as required.
Personnel Management: Supervise a diverse group of 5 or more technical, scientific, and administrative staff and work-study personnel. Prioritize job activities, and assess personnel utilization on short and long term basis. Provide justifications for new positions, reclassifications, or hiring freeze exceptions. Monitor overall staff performance and generate performance programs and evaluations for direct report staff. Take corrective measures or reassign, as appropriate. Prepare search plans, according to current OEA requirements.
Compliance Coordinator: Oversee the coordination of all federal, state and university code compliance issues including but not limited to EPA, OSHA, DEC, and OFPC. Assist with the departmental Fire Safety Warden Program. Oversee efforts to ensure that all safety code violations are rectified in a timely manner. Advise faculty, staff, and students on compliance issues. Oversee periodic data analysis and reporting related to sponsored programs for review with the Department Chair, Vice Chair and Director of Labs. Prepare financial reports to meet complex requirements of various sponsors. Act as a departmental liaison with Grants Management/Sponsored Programs. Manage Chemistry's GAANN fellowship program ensuring compliance with federal regulations and effective utilization of funds.
Other: Prepare documents for special projects, such as space surveys and national surveys. Assist the Chair with navigating and preparing startup requests and recruitment packages. Provide technical support for special projects and research proposals. Work with multiple Principal Investigators assembling, coordinating, and developing grant proposals to include budget, submission, and renewals, as needed. Act as departmental representative for searches. Oversee appropriate searches, performance programs, and evaluations. Attends monthly Quality Control Board meetings (QCB), as needed. Serve as liaison between the Department and BNL for resolution of contract issues. Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and departmental mission.