DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS

Seattle, WA, United States

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS

Req #: 223274

Department: COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

Job Location: Seattle Campus

Posting Date: 06/27/2023

Closing Info: Open Until Filled

Salary: $8,200 - $9,166 per month

Other Compensation:

Shift: First Shift

Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs.

For more information on the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, visit the Allen School website.

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences (CREATE) at the University of Washington is seeking outstanding candidates for the position of Director of Strategy and Operations. The CREATE center at the University of Washington, is working to make technology accessible and to make the world accessible through technology. CREATE’s community engagement mission is to work with local and global disability organizations in an effort to enable accessibility innovations to move into the world, supporting sustainable research deployments, and establishing cooperative relationships between researchers and community/industry partners.

The CREATE center (create.uw.edu) was founded by a multi disciplinary group of nine faculty from the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, the Information School, Mechanical Engineering, Health Sciences, and Disability Studies; it has a total of 23 faculty affiliated with it; two staff; and a rotating group of post doctoral students and visitors.

CREATE seeks a Director of Strategy and Operations to join our team as a key leader to help steward this new multidisciplinary institute. Working in close collaboration with the Center’s Faculty Leadership Team, the Director of Strategy and Operations will have the overall responsibility of developing and overseeing organizational strategy, designing and implementing a diverse array of programs, enabling the successful execution of center operations, and helping to ensure a sustainable trajectory of high quality work in service of the Center’s core mission, which is ‘To make technology accessible and to make the world accessible through technology.

This position requires a depth of management experience and domain expertise in a related field of research. Research outputs from and activities of CREATE will help grow and advance the field of accessibility, addressing key aspects of who is included in society, and who can use the technologies that are becoming increasingly critical in today’s world. Our goal is to make sure that people with disabilities are represented as both stakeholders and leaders in all aspects of the work necessary to achieve our mission. This will continue to establish the University of Washington as the leading research institution both nationally and internationally in this field.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy, Vision, and Leadership

With the Faculty Directors and Associate Directors, design and guide strategic planning and overall management of the Center in pursuit of the Center’s miss

Work in partnership with the Faculty Leadership Team and Associate Directors to recommend and implement new processes and operational approaches in alignment with strategic plans.

Advise the Faculty Directors and other key program staff on business and financial planning.

Effectively communicate and present critical financial matters including the Center's annual budget to the Associate Directors and University leaders who provide CREATE’s oversight.

Maintain effective communication, keeping the Faculty Directors informed of all critical issues.

Advocate for the Center’s mission within the external community and the University of Washington.

Help to define a sustainable vision for funding the center and support the Associate Directors, Faculty Directors and Advancement team in fundraising efforts, including the preparation of tailored proposals and financial documents.

Serve as a point of contact for the Center’s Faculty/Affiliates.

Communicate about the Center, its mission, activities, and achievements to stakeholders such as funders, community partners, campus affiliates, and other audiences of strategic value.

Operations

Oversee all Center-wide project activities, responsibilities, and timelines to support effective Center management, task allocation, and efficiency gains.

Has delegated decision making authority to allocate resources and establish policies, methods, procedures, and work rules for the Center.

Ensure that the Center is adhering to the requirements and expectations of its funders and that are set out in documents such as year end reports, and delivering status reports to the Associate Directors, University leaders, and Advisory Board.

Lead all operational processes and systems at the Center, including operational management, information flow, and organizational planning, in support of CREATE’s mission.

Attend Advisory Board meetings and other key meetings; maintain full operational view of center activities.

Plan and lead internal meetings.

Institute processes and infrastructure to support effective organizational functioning and communication.

Lead and collaborate with Center staff to implement processes for all organizational needs in accordance with UW policies (e.g., hiring standards, on-boarding and HR processes, staff policies, database).

Oversee financial management and budget planning.

Ensure that all Center financial activity, including grant, gift, revenue, and in-kind dollars, are fully tracked and integrated into Center's operating budget and that program staff receive reminders of needed progress/grant reports.

In addition, work within the UW system and with the Allen School’s Research Services and Finance team to ensure all that financial activities are in compliance with UW and departmental policies.

Team Development and Management

Recruit, hire and lead Center staff, including collaborating with them to create program goals and objectives, cultivate the values of the organization, and support efficiencies in program operations.

Manage the Center’s staff, whose dynamic activities span a range of initiatives including projects, events, community programs, digital media, communications, research infrastructure maintenance and office management.

Oversee, foster and deepen staff relations, training and professional development.

Ensure staff members receive timely and appropriate feedback, performance appraisals, training and development based on established metrics for staff performance.

Other

Attend meetings and participate in Allen School and University of Washington committees, working groups, events and activities.

Engage in professional development activities.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of four years of administrative and strategic management experience, including financial and budgetary oversight and at least two years of direct professional staff supervision.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of internal and external constituents.

Ability to build a successful organizational culture and develop comprehensive internal processes.

Strategically minded, analytical leader.

Discreet facilitator and problem solver with a high tolerance for ambiguity.

Autonomous self-starter with intellectual confidence and flexibility and ability to effectively manage multiple demands and priorities.

Demonstrate a high degree of initiative-taking, problem solving capability, creativity, and capacity for innovative thinking.

Proficiency in developing budgets, fiscal monitoring and financial projections using multiple fund sources.

Strong technology skills and inclination to adapt and learn new technologies.

Demonstrated success in working with diverse populations, including people with disabilities.

Knowledge of best practices for accessibility and inclusivity in all aspects of center work from documents that are produced to meeting practices and interpersonal engagement.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Advanced degree preferred.

Experience in a large-scale, complex academic institution.

A passion for the Center’s mission: To make technology accessible and to make the world accessible through technology.

Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected].

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

#J-18808-Ljbffr