Managing Director, Institute for Digital Forestry (West Lafayette, IN, US)

Purdue University

Experience: 6+ yrs
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
Job type: Full-time

Required skills

adaptability
compliance
PHP

About the role

Job Summary

The Institute for Digital Forestry is seeking a Managing Director. In this role, you will provide strategic, operational, and external engagement leadership for the Institute for Digital Forestry, supporting the Institute’s research, project, and partnership activities. You will work closely with faculty leaders (Director, Associate Director, and the Steering Committee), researchers, professional staff, and external stakeholders to strengthen the Institute’s strategic direction, funding pipeline, post-award project delivery, and long-term sustainability. In addition, you will play a central role in enabling research teams and projects to operate effectively, identifying and supporting funding opportunities, overseeing post-award establishment and operations, and building productive relationships with industry, funding agencies, foundations, and other external partners.

What You'll Be Doing:

Providing operational oversight of Institute teams to ensure high performance, alignment, and delivery of priorities.
Partnering with faculty leadership to define and implement research strategy, priority initiatives, and growth opportunities
Leading internal planning, resource allocation, and capability development to strengthen research performance and team effectiveness
Driving identification and pursuit of funding opportunities, overseeing the development of high-quality, competitive proposals
Building strong internal relationships across the University to enable collaboration, integration, and effective delivery
Leading strategic engagement with industry, government, funding bodies, and research partners to advance Institute priorities
Developing and sustaining high-value partnerships that generate funding, collaboration, and long-term growth opportunities
Representing the Institute externally to enhance reputation, visibility, and influence
Identifying who the various PIs are partnering with, track those partnerships for their future application
Identifying and progressing new opportunities, including major collaborations and partnership-based initiatives
Overseeing the effective establishment and delivery of funded projects, ensuring compliance with institutional and funder requirements
Providing strategic oversight of project performance, including timelines, budgets, risks, and reporting obligations
Ensuring robust governance, financial management, and operational coordination across the project lifecycle
Proactively managing risks and resolving issues to ensure successful delivery of outcomes

What We're Looking For:

Bachelor’s degree
6 years of related experience
Leadership experience in a research, higher education, or complex organizational environment
Effective partnership with faculty leaders in delivering strategic and financial priorities
Demonstrated success in strategic and operational management, including planning, budgeting, and resource allocation
Proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire high-performing, multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration, trust, and accountability
Strong track record in building productive relationships and influencing stakeholders across all organizational levels
Experience identifying funding opportunities and leading or enabling the development of competitive research proposals
Sound knowledge of post-award research administration, including project establishment, governance, and delivery oversight.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage, align, and motivate diverse stakeholders.
Highly developed organizational and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
Strategic leadership and execution
Financial management and resource planning
Team leadership, coaching, and capability development
Research development and funding strategy
Post-award management and project governance
Stakeholder engagement and partnership building
Operational leadership and organizational effectiveness
Advanced communication, negotiation, and influencing skills
Problem-solving, adaptability, and continuous improvement

Nice to Have:

Postgraduate degree
Experience within a university institute, research center, or similarly complex environment
Understanding of research funding landscapes, industry engagement, and partnership development
Experience collaborating with external stakeholders, including industry, government, and funding agencies

What We'd Like You to Know:

Learn more about Purdue’s benefits summary
Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
A background check will be required for employment in this position
FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions immediately
Purdue University is an EO employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply

Career Stream

Management 4

Pay Band S080
Link to Purdue University's compensation guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php
Job Code #20002614
Link to Career Path Maker: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/careerpathmaker/

*Effective August 1, Purdue implemented a new background screen policy: any internal transfer will receive a new background screen if one has not been run within the last year.

Who We Are:

Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

Purdue University is an EO/EA University.

About Purdue University

Public research university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

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