Title: Executive Director, Centralized Core Facilities

Executive Area: Research and Engagement

College/School/MBU: Institute Applied Life Science

Department: Institute Applied Life Science

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Job Summary

The Executive Director, Centralized Core Facilities provides strategic, administrative, fiscal, and operational leadership for the centralized Core Facilities at UMass Amherst within the Institute for Applied Life Sciences. A Core Facility is a multi‑user research unit that offers shared instrumentation, services, and expertise to UMass researchers, external academic partners, and industry, government, foundations or medical‑center users. The Executive Director ensures that the Core Facilities operate effectively and sustainably and that their activities align with institutional priorities and research needs.

Essential Functions

Provides strategic leadership and institutional level accountability for the centralized Core Facilities, ensuring their operational effectiveness, fiscal stability, and long-term sustainability. Directs the development and execution of the strategic plan for the Cores; in coordination with other IALS leadership, develops, implements, and oversees policies, SOPs, and MOUs related to Core Facilities; ensures completion of periodic SWOT analyses; and establishes and provides oversight of Steering Committees for centralized Core Facilities.

Directs and evaluates the work of Core Directors and Managers, establishing performance expectations, organizational priorities, workforce planning strategies and professional development objectives to ensure effective leadership across the Core Facilities.

Provides strategic financial leadership for the Core Facilities, interpreting financial information to guide operational decisions and long-range planning in conjunction with the Finance & Operations Director, IALS. Serves as a principal advisor to the Director, IALS, and the IALS Executive committee on the long-term plan for each core, including capital and operational investment, transference, and operational risk of the core.

Provides strategic oversight of equipment planning and lifecycle management across the Core Facilities. Identifies and prioritizes equipment needs (new acquisitions and updates); develops repair and replacement timetables with projected budget estimates and justifications; monitors equipment usage and duty cycle percentages for each Core to inform planning and prioritization; and provides guidance on equipment related components of faculty start up packages and equipment match proposals, ensuring incoming faculty are aware of Core Facilities capabilities.

Provides leadership and coordination for grant application activities across the Core Facilities. Prioritizes applications by need and institutional impact; develops and maintains a grant submissions calendar; prepares justification and information slide decks outlining space, staffing, cost, and revenue implications; and contributes to application teams (typically including a Core Director and key PIs).

Provides strategic oversight and analysis of Core Facilities performance, utilizing financial reports prepared by the Director of Finance & Operations, who manages all operational financial management. Defines and standardizes portfolio-wide financial and impact metrics; implements dashboards and scorecards to monitor performance; and uses aggregated data to inform strategic decisions regarding portfolio composition, pricing, investment, marketing, and service sunsetting. Prepares synthesized Core Facilities performance reports for senior leadership and advisory committees.

Provides oversight of space and infrastructure planning across the Core Facilities. Identifies space and infrastructure needs within existing Cores; contributes to assessing space and infrastructure requirements for prioritized new equipment; and supports emergency preparedness and response activities in Core Facilities in situations such as floods, fires, or major equipment malfunctions.

Provides guidance on the prioritization and need for service contracts across the Core Facilities. Works with the IALS Director, Finance & Operations to understand the budgetary impacts of the recommended contracts. Ensures timely delivery of required Service Contract paperwork. Remains informed of the Service Contract LUT (look‑up table) detailing annual costs, due dates, and submission deadlines – maintained by the IALS Director Finance & Operations.

Supports a marketing and communications strategy for the Core Facilities in coordination with the Director of Communications & Marketing. Contributes to the execution of marketing plans; develops and implements outreach to internal departments, schools, and colleges; develops and implements outreach to external users, including Massachusetts Innovation Voucher Program recipients; and contributes to stakeholder communications for leadership and operational partners such as the Director, IALS, VCRE, IALS Executive Committee, UMII, EH&S, and building managers. Represents and promotes IALS Core Facilities at internal and external meetings including relevant conferences. Collaborates with web and communications support staff to provide content for web and print marketing materials. Collaborates with Core Facilities personnel across other UMass campuses to leverage shared resources and promote cross campus research capabilities.

Provides oversight of training expectations and compliance across the Core Facilities. Ensures Core‑appropriate staff and safety training programs are in place and maintained; ensures training resources are available and completion is tracked; and contributes to the summer internship training program for undergraduates.

Provides leadership and oversight for Core booking and transaction software. Ensures developer(s) are pursuing required updates and new functionality as needed.
Considers input from Core Directors and Managers for process improvement in various aspects of their duties including, but not limited to, new user onboarding, intra-core communications, clarity around hiring and equipment priorities, etc.

Oversees Special Projects across the Core Facilities. At any time, some of these can be large efforts that include facility renovations, staffing initiatives, major equipment installations, and other projects as assigned.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in business, engineering, or science-related field.

Five (5) years of experience in an academic or industry setting and working knowledge of the core facility landscape, with experience in business strategy and operations and in developing business models / marketing services to both internal and external customers.

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex scientific and financial information to diverse audiences.

Proven executive leadership experience, with a track record of successfully leading and developing high-performing teams.

Strong strategic and analytical mindset, with the ability to anticipate and plan for future financial/operational challenges and opportunities.

Preferred Qualifications

PhD in business, engineering, or science-related field.

Demonstrated track record of working well with multiple stake holders both within and outside the University.

Ability to multi-task and manage multiple core facilities as independent business units to ensure the most effective use of limited resources.

Additional Details

This position directly reports to the Director, IALS and indirectly to the Vice Chancellor of Research & Engagement.

This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed in an indoor university environment and involves lifting and transporting materials or equipment and general physical activity, including prolonged standing, walking, or assuming low postures.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm, 40 hours per week. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: PSSAP Grade 36

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Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.