Director of Research Management and Engagement

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Are you ready to go beyond the state of the art?

At the Renaissance Computing Institute ( RENCI), we use data, creativity, and inclusive teaming to revitalize how science is done. Fostering data science expertise and creating cyberinfrastructure isn't just about solving known problems - it's about expanding human potential by unlocking data.

We need innovators, builders, strategists, technologists, architects, and creative thinkers across all domains to drive this work forward. When you join our team, you'll:
- Spend your time solving the interesting and unique problems of research and development.
- Shape your future through experimentation and unfettered access to premier education and research.
- Make connections to people and projects that ignite your passion.

We know that diversity of people and ideas is a cornerstone of innovation, and we work to ensure our culture reflects that knowledge. We provide the tools you need to do your job effectively; we offer flexibility so you can be the most productive version of you; and we encourage thoughtful and challenging discourse.

Join our research institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill today and help us spark a scientific renaissance across the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and beyond.

The Director Research Management and Engagement reports to the Director of RENCI and serves as one of three members of the institute's executive leadership (the Office of the Director or OOD) responsible for guiding the strategic mission of RENCI, setting annual goals for RENCI, and leading RENCI to accomplish these goals in a financially responsible way. The Director of Research Management and Engagement functions as a senior strategic, operational, and organizational leader with independent authority to make key decisions that shape institute-wide priorities, policies, and resource allocations. The Director exercises this authority both individually and collaboratively with fellow OOD members, RENCI staff, and leadership across UNC-Chapel Hill.

The Director leads the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of institute-wide frameworks that support RENCI's sponsored research portfolio. This includes developing standards, workflows, and best practices that strengthen project execution, stakeholder engagement, and deployment of research outcomes to various communities. Another key responsibility is being a liaison with the OVCR Service Center to provide project PIs with visibility into project finances and personnel. The position works closely with faculty, senior project staff, and campus partners to identify emerging opportunities, align resources to strategic goals, and ensure that RENCI's programs and operations advance both institute and university priorities.

The Director establishes institute-wide service models, operational procedures, and decision-making frameworks to ensure that RENCI leadership and project teams receive the support necessary to meet strategic goals and project obligations. They also provide high-level organizational management including strategic planning, resource allocation, cross-team coordination, and performance oversight.

The Director oversees core functional teams responsible for (1) stakeholder engagement and institutional messaging, (2) web and digital infrastructure supporting research activities, (3) research outreach, engagement planning, and knowledge translation, and (4) program management. The Director's primary responsibility is ensuring these functions operate as integrated services that strengthen research impact and support RENCI's strategic direction.

In addition to institute-level responsibilities, the Director manages a growing research portfolio focused on national user support for complex scientific platforms and the development of user communities across the U.S. in the areas of AI and data science, high performance computing, and research software ecosystems. This includes leading strategies to support user onboarding, promoting adoption of advanced computational tools, and building workforce and community capacity within the scientific software enterprise.

The Director oversees a team of approximately 30 permanent full-time staff, as well as contractors, freelancers, developers, and domain experts. Through this leadership, the Director ensures that RENCI's applied technology and engagement efforts are aligned with institutional priorities, responsive to emerging scientific needs, and executed with consistency, quality, and strategic intent.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity or professional-level background in sponsored research administration, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution.

- Demonstrated experience in high-level organizational or program management within a research, academic, or technical environment, including independent decision-making authority.
- Strong strategic planning skills, including the ability to design, implement, and improve operational frameworks across complex organizations.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage large, multi-institutional research projects or portfolios.
- Experience supervising staff and managing budgets, resources, and operational priorities.
- Experience developing user communities, user support programs, or engagement strategies for scientific platforms.
- Ability to support complex scientific or technical programs, including translating research needs into operational plans and user-focused strategies.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills appropriate for research environments.
- Strong interpersonal, collaboration, and stakeholder-engagement skills.
- Ability to build and maintain partnerships across academic, research, and technical organizations.
- Project management experience with demonstrated success coordinating teams, timelines, and deliverables.

- Master's degree in research administration, information science, organizational leadership, education, technical communication, data science, or a related field.
- Experience serving in a chief-of-staff, senior strategic initiatives, or research operations leadership role with independent decision-making responsibilities.
- Demonstrated experience supporting large-scale research cyberinfrastructure, HPC environments, or research software programs.
- Knowledge of research computing, data science workflows, or scientific software ecosystems.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary teams in agile, research-driven environments.
- Ability to act as a strategic liaison and decision-maker across academic units, research teams, university leadership, and national partners.
- Familiarity with workforce development and training programs in STEM or computational science.

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The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.