About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
The Associate Director for The Center for Research on Families serves as senior administrator for planning, grants and contracts, financial management, and further development of the Center including University and external relations, and oversight of the Center's programs and activities.
Essential Functions
- Leads strategic planning and program development.
- Develops and maintains collaborative relations with the Steering Committee, University and Five College departments, faculty, academic centers, national and regional media, and national/international centers of family research.
- Works with Director to manage strategic planning regarding long-term goals for growth of the Center, new programs, grant proposals in consultation with the Director and Steering Committee.
- Oversees the day-to-day administration of Center Programs including the Family Research Scholars Program, the Tay Gavin Erickson Lecture Series, the Methodological Training and Consulting Service, and all other programs within the Center.
- Establishes objectives for achieving goals. Evaluates the effectiveness of all ongoing programs to ensure that they are addressing the Center’s mission and long-range goals, making changes as needed.
- Oversees financial management, budgets, grants and contracts. Oversees financial accounting and reporting by relevant staff of multiple financial accounts from the UMass Foundation and within the University.
- Supervises finance, communications, and office staff.
- Oversees the development of policies and procedures that follow University regulations and aligns Center operations with UMass HR and other operational policies.
- Initiates and directs outreach and research dissemination activities with regional and national non-profit organizations and corporations, local communities and schools, and public leaders regarding family research and policy.
- Advances and assists with the Center’s communication efforts.
- Works with Center team to design national and local workshops, selects instructors, and works with Office Manager/Special Events Coordinator and Methodological Training and Consulting Program Coordinator on arranging travel, housing, publicity, registration, and accounts, etc.
- Understands and contributes to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity. Supports building personal and professional staff capacity for competence, integrity, and collaboration.
- Maintains confidentiality of Center data and other sensitive and/or not yet public university related information to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.
Other Functions
- Works collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
- Works in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
- Performs other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Master’s in Business Administration, Social Sciences or related field and three (3) years’ progressively responsible professional work, supervision, financial and administrative experience, OR Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years’ progressively responsible professional work, supervision, financial management and administrative experience.
- Excellent communication, writing and editing skills.
- Experience in financial management of an organization, including development and management of budgets, management of grants and contracts, and reporting.
- Ability to coordinate and work well with multidisciplinary faculty, staff, students, and external constituents.
- Experience in management and in providing strong leadership and supervision to staff.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Financial management and experience with grants and contracts.
- Experience in developing successful grant proposals and managing awarded grants and contracts.
- Successful experience with strategic planning, and organizational development.
- Familiarity with scholarly research and public policy related to family issues.
- Knowledge of computer applications, including web site and database management.
Physical Demands/Working Condition
- Typical office environment.
- Ability to lift 25 pounds.
Work Schedule
- Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm.
Salary Information
Grade 27
PSU Hiring Schedule
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a letter of application, diversity statement (see below), resume, and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search may remain open until a suitable candidate has been identified.
As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. In addition to application materials above, candidates will need to submit a Statement of Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The Diversity Statement should identify past experiences and future goals. These contributions may result from lived experiences, scholarships, and/or mentoring, teaching, and outreach activities. (https://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion)
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.