Director - Engineering PLUS Alliance Project

Company: Northeastern University
Location: Boston
Posted on: May 29, 2023

Job Description:

About the Opportunity

The Director of the Engineering PLUS Alliance Project collaborates with leadership to support key activities of the Engineering PLUS Alliance, working to working collaboratively to enhance U.S. leadership with the major focus on diversity, inclusion and broadening participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Oversees the Engineering PLUS Backbone team, which focuses on operational areas such as administrative data management, project management, marketing and communications, event management and support, financial reporting, IRB processing, systems support, and other processes vital to the success of the Engineering PLUS Alliance. The Project Director will also serve as the liaison between the Engineering PLUS Alliance, the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub, and other national efforts to increase representation of engineering.

Interact with key partners including, but not limited to, Northeastern's College of Engineering, the Engineering PLUS Alliance collaborators, Northeastern's Office of the Provost, and the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub, with a goal building a collective alliance of networked communities is needed to build an inclusive infrastructure that will drive and sustain the systemic change needed to markedly increase the diversity of engineering students enrolled and graduating across the country.

The Engineering PLUS Alliance is designed to build this critical infrastructure through well-crafted partnerships. For example, the NSF Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program and the network of BIPOC and women engineering society chapters have the potential of making a lasting impact at scale. Moreover, Northeastern University (NU) has over 30 years of experience implementing programs focused on broadening participation in engineering.

Our vision for the Engineering PLUS Alliance is to achieve transformative, systemic and sustainable change that will increase the growth rate in the number of BIPOC and women obtaining undergraduate and graduate engineering degrees. By driving the growth of engineering undergraduate degrees, we aim to increase the annual number of degrees awarded these populations to 100,000/30,000 (BS/MS-PhD) and establish a future growth rate that can substantially close the aforementioned gaps. Our mission is to implement the strategy posed by our hypothesis, with emphasis on fostering systems changes at key transition points of educational pathways.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree required; doctoral (terminal) degree preferred.
• At least 5 years' experience as a program director or manager
• Programmatic experience and knowledge of the factors associated with student success in higher education and with special attention to women and underrepresented minorities.
• An understanding of project/program management techniques and methods.
• Knowledge of federal grant regulations and operational guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, prioritize, and implement policies and procedures within complex organizations.
• Demonstrated budget management skills.
• Strong organizational skills; detail oriented.
• Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage and facilitate an intense workload and produce quality results in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be proactive, anticipate problems, be resourceful, and work effectively with colleagues and external constituents at all levels.
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary for building relationships with external and internal constituents.
• Ability to act as a change agent and help organizations embrace change.
• Ability to exercise good judgment when dealing with confidential and sensitive material. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES
  
  1. Strategy and Operations Management
  • Collaborate with leadership and staff to develop, execute, and monitor the programmatic components of the strategic vision, goals, objectives, and plans approved by the leadership of the Engineering PLUS Alliance.
  • Lead and manage the Engineering PLUS Backbone, staff engaged in project management, marketing and communications, website management, subaward agreements, financial monitoring and reporting, IRB modification requests, event management, administrative data management, and other related responsibilities.
  • Develop, implement, sustain, and evaluate standard operating procedures that are responsive and adaptable to the needs of the Engineering PLUS Alliance.
  • Work collaboratively with the Project Manager and Engineering PLUS Leadership to ensure efficient and effective progress is being made in alignment with the Engineering PLUS Strategic Plan.
  • Identify, analyze, and address current and future needs of the Engineering PLUS Alliance, such as the functional responsibilities of personnel, creating and managing job requisitions and associated processes, and resource management.
  • Oversee the onboarding of new Engineering PLUS Collaborators to ensure they follow NSF and Northeastern University policies (e.g., ensuring those conducting human subjects research have IRB clearance, have Northeastern sponsored accounts, etc.)
  • Act as the primary liaison to support the efforts of the Key Performance Strategy teams (e.g., Partnerships, Regional Hubs, the PEER Academy, Sustainability, and Research, Data, and Evaluation) by addressing barriers, fostering communication, and generally empowering their ability to complete objectives.
  • Ensure that partner activity, financial and grant reports are submitted on time.
  • Keep the Leadership informed with detailed and accurate reports and presentations. 2. Communication and Collaboration with NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub
    • Serve as the primary liaison between the Engineering PLUS Alliance and the NSF INCLUDES Alliance Coordination HUB, which includes attending monthly meetings and scheduled conferences.
    • Facilitate the communication and promotion of Engineering PLUS events and resources to the national NSF INCLUDES Network
    • Interface and cultivate relationships with institutional members, impact working groups, and other stakeholders.
    • Serve as the primary interface with Program Officers. 3. General Responsibilities
      • Assist in the top-down and bottom-up communication within the Alliance, especially as it relates to identifying and navigating operational barriers.
      • Contribute to and review content of funding proposals and donor reports.
      • Perform other related duties as assigned by management.
        
        Position Type
        
        General Administration
        
        Additional Information
        
        Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
        
        Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
        
        Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.
        
        All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
        
        To learn more about Northeastern University's commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.

Keywords: Northeastern University, Boston , Director - Engineering PLUS Alliance Project, Executive , Boston, Massachusetts