Director, Research Operations at University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ

Job description

Research Program Leadership and Sponsored Research Development: Provide senior-level scientific and programmatic leadership for a portfolio of complex, multidisciplinary, and multi-institutional transportation research programs conducted through CATS. Lead the conceptualization, development, planning, and execution of research initiatives in areas including Transportation Systems Management and Operations, intelligent transportation systems, transportation planning, smart mobility, transportation safety, big data analytics, large-scale transportation system simulation and analysis, traffic operations, and emerging transportation technologies. Serve as Principal Investigator (PI), Co-PI, or senior research leader on sponsored projects and exercise substantial independent judgment in establishing research priorities, methodologies, technical approaches, and project objectives. Proactively identify research and funding opportunities; lead or substantially contribute to competitive proposal development, grant writing, and presentations to funding sponsors. Develop and advance innovative research techniques, analytical frameworks, modeling methodologies, and technical approaches. Lead or co-author peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and professional presentations and disseminate research findings through local, national, and international professional forums. Center Operations, Strategic Planning, and Program Management Provide senior operational leadership for CATS and work with the Center Director to develop, implement, and continuously improve Center-wide strategic and operational plans. Align personnel, financial, technical, and administrative resources with Center priorities and long-range objectives. Coordinate with Principal Investigators, project managers, the Center Manager, research staff, and University administrative units to monitor program performance, budgets, timelines, scopes of work, deliverables, and compliance requirements. Develop and review strategic and operational plans and align personnel, financial, technical, and other resources with Center priorities. Exercise considerable latitude in unreviewed operational decisions within delegated authority and serve as a senior designee or representative of the Center Director when appropriate. Occasionally coordinate with the director after hours. Develop and implement operational processes, policies, and procedures that improve the efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, and scalability of CATS operations. Personnel Leadership, Supervision, and Research Team Development Provide leadership, supervision, mentoring, and professional development for multidisciplinary research personnel, technical staff, project managers, and graduate students supporting CATS programs. Direct and coordinate the work of professional and support staff performing diverse functions across multiple research programs; establish priorities, assign responsibilities, monitor performance, and provide technical and professional guidance. Coordinate staffing and expertise across projects to optimize the use of Center resources and support timely and high-quality project delivery. Foster a collaborative and innovative research environment that promotes professional growth, research excellence, accountability, and effective teamwork. Participate in recruitment, onboarding, performance management, succession planning, and development of research and operational personnel as appropriate. External Partnerships, Stakeholder Engagement, and Research Representation: Develop, maintain, and expand strategic partnerships with local, regional, state, and national government agencies; metropolitan planning organizations; universities and research institutions; transportation organizations; and private-sector partners. Serve as a senior technical and operational representative of CATS in meetings with sponsors, collaborators, stakeholders, professional organizations, and other external partners. Le