Makerspace Facility Manager

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Job Title:

Makerspace Facility Manager

Location:

Marietta, Georgia

Regular/Temporary:
Regular

Full/Part Time:
Full-Time

Job

Responsible for overseeing the daily operations, personnel, budget, and strategic direction of a research core facility that provides specialized instrumentation, technical services, and expertise to support internal and external research efforts. Ensures the facility operates efficiently, maintains compliance with regulatory requirements, and supports high-impact research and innovation.

• Manages day-to-day operations of the makerspace facility, including scheduling, maintenance, and troubleshooting of scientific equipment
• Provides leadership and supervision to technical staff, including training, performance evaluations, and workload assignments
• Creates, maintains, and enforces standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety protocols, and quality control measures
• Serves as the primary liaison with internal researchers, external users, and institutional stakeholders to ensure high-quality service delivery
• Coordinates procurement, inventory management, and vendor relationships for instruments, consumables, and services
• Prepares and communicates reports, usage metrics, and impact summaries for institutional reporting and grant support
• Collaborates with faculty and researchers to support grant proposals and publications that utilize core facility resources
• Implements strategies for continuous improvement, expansion of services, and technological upgrades
• Ensures compliance with all institutional, federal, and sponsor policies and regulations
• Manages facility budgeting and financial operations, including preparing and monitoring budgets, tracking expenditures, and overseeing invoicing to ensure accurate billing and cost recovery

Educational Requirements:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a STEM-related field.

Required Experience:

Five (5) years of relevant experience in a laboratory or core facility environment in scientific instrumentation and/or facility management, including previous supervisory and/or team leadership experience.

• Knowledge of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or scheduling platforms
• An advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a STEM-related discipline
• Experience managing recharge and/or cost-recovery models and research budgets
• Experience in prototyping
• Experience with utilizing and maintaining diverse fabrication and analytical instrumentation
• Experience with software development and coding
• Familiarity with grant writing and support for extramural funding proposals

The midpoint of the salary range is $110,300. Offers are based on relevant experience.

Comprehensive benefits to include Medical, Dental, Vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation, generous retirement plans, tuition waiver, wellness options, and much more! Visit hr.kennesaw.edu/benefits.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
Able to lead and motivate staff in a collaborative team environment; able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines.

Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management, and presentation skills; proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite); proficiency with budgeting tools, and scientific data systems; problem-solving aptitude and initiative for process improvement; strong attention to detail and follow up skills; strong customer service skills and phone and e‑mail etiquette.

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect.

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

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Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final…