Engineering a world of possibilities

Colorado School of Mines welcomes applications for The Technical and Operations Manager in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. This position is a principal administrator and manager for the Department. This position provides management-level operational oversight and planning for the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) educational laboratories, studios, and machine shop. This position will lead the team of technical and administrative staff related to the operations of the department. The Technical and Operations Manager serves as an integral member of the Department leadership team -- in concert with and with the authority of the Department Head (DH) -- to drive department goals and priorities, assist with effective decision-making, project management, and overall execution of department goals.

This position will work independently and in conjunction with the DH in planning, coordinating, implementing, and assessing the following:

• Leading the technical management of the department including fiscal management, forecasting, and analysis of the Department operating (as related to the machine shop, ME labs and Foundational accounts);

• Managing, developing and evaluating the technical and administrative support personnel resources for the Department;

• Overseeing acquisition, maintenance, and management of Department-managed laboratories and major equipment for instruction;

• Coordinating the Department's external relations and communications with constituents including alumni and partners in industry, academia, and government; * Serving as the liaison to campus administration in relation to fiscal and space-related matters.

• Directing the development maintenance Department marketing and communications, to include the department website, social media, and publication of promotional materials;

RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management (30% annually)
This position leads all program and project management for the ME Department as related to resources including personnel, space, budget, and external and internal communications. Essential functions for this responsibility include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as hiring manager for open rank faculty, administrative, and technical support searches.

• Lead ME Department Tech Fee proposal development process.

• Plan, organize and implement Mechanical Mondays speaker series each semester.

• Plan and organize the ME Distinguished Guest Seminar series each semester.

• Provide support for ME Department-sponsored Short Course and special course development and implementation.

• Manage event planning for the ME Department. * Other project management to support faculty and DH, as needed (i.e., External Visiting Committee, ABET, etc.)

Coordination of External Relations and Communications (30% annually)
This position works with the DH, Foundation, Alumni Association, and Faculty to develop external relationships and maintain consistent internal and external communications with department faculty and staff as well as external constituents including alumni, donors, industrial partners, and government labs and agencies. This will include organizing annual Industrial Advisory Board meetings, helping to organize alumni events, and supporting meetings with industrial collaborators/employers who support the Department. This position will be responsible for the ongoing strategy, development and design of the Department website and promotional materials are used for external and internal communications. This position will establish processes to ensure that the Department online presence and promotional materials are regularly updated. Essential Functions for this responsibility include, but are not limited to:

• Organize the annual Industrial Advisory Board meeting and supporting the DH in visits/meetings with other industrial partners.

• Plan and manage implementation of regular alumni events to support the Department.

• Oversee updates and proper use of databases of alumni, industrial partner contacts and state and federal government contracts who work with the Department.

• Gather and compile feedback targeting students, alumni, and industrial partner contacts to increase program satisfaction both at the student level and from an industry perspective.

• Lead efforts with the DH, faculty, student leaders, and staff in the creation and design of the Department website and internal communications.

• Oversee creation and publication/distribution of materials for external communication including the department website, social media, and other communication and marketing content.

Fiscal Management and Analysis (15% annually)

This position leads the fiscal management of the Department as related to the technical operations and Foundation accounts. Using balance sheets, expense histories, and other data, this position will provide analysis and strategic budget recommendations to the DH for budget planning. This position will authorize spending of these funds for equipment, student workers, classroom instruction and other supplies and for Department events. Essential functions for this responsibility include, but are not limited to:

• Analyze and manage Department-controlled finance analyses, variance analyses and management of departmental revenues and expenses;

• Assess needs and funds available for hourly student workers as they relate to the machine shop and ME teaching labs

• Make strategic decisions to best use available resources for equipment purchases, maintenance, instructional support, and Department events;

• Communicate Department financial needs and priorities clearly and effectively, as they relate to the technical operations and Foundation accounts, to faculty and university administration;

• Identify and coordinate with DH and Department Business and Fiscal Manager, responses to issues of significant financial or budgetary consequence.

Team Management/Employee Supervision (15% annually)
This position will manage, develop, and coach a high-functioning Department technical staff. Essential Functions for this responsibility include, but are not limited to:

• Direct supervision and coaching of technical staff.

• Management and oversight of the ME Instructional Machine shop and ME teaching labs.

• Conduct annual and mid-year performance reviews; update position descriptions as needed.

Building and Major Equipment Management (10% annually)
This position works with the DH, Dean/Vice Provost and Campus administration, faculty and technical support staff to ensure that space allocations for the Department instructional and research needs are understood and addressed in a timely manner. Essential functions for this responsibility include but are not limited to:

• Advise the DH and/or Dean/Vice Provost and campus administration on the allocation of space and major equipment purchases for instructional or research needs of the Department.

• Implement initiatives on space and major equipment allocation that impact the Department's degree programs and broad research initiatives.

• Coordinate requests for equipment funding with internal and external constituents

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or applied science

• 4 plus years of experience in an administrative position in a STEM or related environment showing progressive growth in responsibilities;

• Evidence of program development, management, and implementation;

• Experience supervising or managing people and teams;

• Experience communicating complex and technical information to a wide range of audiences;

• Demonstrated past success in planning, developing and implementing strategic goals and program initiatives;

• Demonstrated knowledge of budgetary development and control principles relating to full scope of duties; and

• Experience collecting, synthesizing, analyzing and developing a recommended course of action based on information gathered through a variety of methods.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in engineering, business administration, public/higher education administration, leadership, or related field.

• Experience working in higher education, college/university, vocational tech school, military school, or public sector entity and preferably with experience in an Engineering or Science department;

• Experience in change management.

• Experience working with and leading committees consisting of diverse points of view.

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