Managing Director of ISEE

This position requires in-person work on the Urbana-Champaign campus.

This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public land-grant research university in Illinois in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. It is the flagship institution of the University of Illinois system and was founded in 1867. The university serves the people of Illinois through a shared commitment to excellence in teaching, research, public engagement, economic development and health care. Faculty, staff and students share their knowledge, expertise and resources with residents in every corner of the state through public service and outreach programs.

The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a globally recognized interdisciplinary institute dedicated to advancing solutions to the world's most pressing sustainability challenges. iSEE brings together researchers, students, industry leaders, policymakers, and community partners to accelerate innovation at the intersection of climate, energy, agriculture, natural resources, and environmental stewardship. Through a unique integration of cutting-edge research, transformative education, public engagement, and campus sustainability leadership, iSEE translates scientific discovery into real-world impact, helping build a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future for Illinois, the nation, and the world.

As a campus-wide institute with a strong reputation for collaboration and innovation, iSEE seeks a managing director to expand its impact, strengthen strategic partnerships, and advance the University of Illinois' role as a global leader in sustainability, energy, and environmental solutions.

Manage the day-to-day operations of the Institute and provide leadership in implementing the strategic vision and direction.

• Administrative Leadership
  • Direct all administrative and financial operations in the institute, ensuring compliance with University policies, procedures, and relevant state and federal laws.
  • Support the Director in development and implementation of strategic planning documents and chair weekly staff and management meetings to coordinate activities and monitor progress across the institute's three mission areas. Oversee planning and execution of iSEE engagement events.
  • Serve as the institute contact with facilities management, space utilization, and other administrative functions.
  • Serve as the Director's designee in a variety of administrative and HR matters.
• Research Administration
  • Oversee the grants process through the full life-cycle - opportunity identification, proposal development, award negotiation, post-award and close out.
  • Support the unit response to any audit inquiries.
  • Serve as the primary contact to Sponsored Program Administration and the Office of Research Security and keep up to date on grant compliance, research security, export controls, and other applicable regulations.
• Human Resources Management
  • Direct and supervise professional staff within iSEE to facilitate effective administration of finances, sponsored research, event planning, campus sustainability, and educational and engagement programs, which includes: managing responsibilities, prioritizing workloads, professional development, and performance evaluation. Support training and mentorship of professional staff in centers within iSEE.
  • Serve as a liaison between unit and OVCRI HR on hiring practices, performance management, visa processing, and policy interpretation and implementation.
  • Oversee the annual salary program for the unit and centers within the unit, including salary recommendations for institute staff and issuing salary planner letters.
• Financial Management
  • Responsible for fiscal management and control of state appropriations, grants, contracts, gifts, indirect cost recovery, and self-supporting funds.
  • Implement unit policies and workflows for the maintenance and management of accounts, monitoring of expenditures, procurement, and equipment, and budget development.
  • Collaborate closely with the OVCRI business leadership on the annual budget planning process.
• Other duties
  • Develop and foster relationships with faculty, other institutes and departments, funding agencies, and industry collaborators.

• Bachelor's degree in business,…