Assistant Director for Research Programs

Position Function:

The Assistant Director of Programs will serve as a key advisor to the Center Director and provide strategic leadership across all major programs at the MSU Advanced Composites Institute (ACI). This role will encompass oversight of the Mississippi Advanced Composites Training Center but will also have significant leadership responsibilities in research and development, program management, and business operations. The Assistant Director will lead the business management team, the research program management team, the workforce development team, and the outreach team, ensuring the successful execution of ACI’s comprehensive mission. This position is pivotal in strategically positioning ACI for long-term growth and impact, aligning its programs with industry, academic, and governmental partners.

Salary Grade:  18

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The Advanced Composites Institute, or ACI, focuses on pioneering transformational composite technologies in a variety of critical sectors, including aerospace, civil, military, energy, automotive and other emerging markets. It was created at MSU with the donation of a revolutionary stitched composite process and equipment originally developed at NASA by pioneering scientist Marvin B. Dow.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership & Program Execution
o Serve as a key member of the ACI leadership team, contributing to the overall strategic direction of the institute.
o Execute the strategic priorities set by the Center Director for all ACI programs, including research and development, workforce training, and business operations.
o Ensure cross-functional collaboration between ACI’s research, prototyping, workforce, and outreach initiatives.

2. Program Management & Operations
o Oversee and align research program management, business operations, workforce development, and outreach with ACI’s strategic objectives.
o Directly supervise and mentor Program Managers, Business Managers, and Outreach Coordinators to drive program success.
o Develop and implement key performance metrics to track project success and optimize resource allocation.
o Conduct in-depth qualitative and quantitative analyses to enhance organizational efficiency and scalability.

3. Business & Financial Oversight
o Lead business functions within ACI, including budget planning, financial oversight, and contract management.
o Ensure compliance with government and industry regulations related to research funding and workforce programs.
o Work closely with acquisition and contracting teams to refine project scopes and recommend tailored technical and programmatic approaches.

4. Research & Development Leadership
o Support and advise on ACI’s research and development portfolio, ensuring alignment with industry and defense manufacturing needs.
o Work with project teams to translate research requirements into comprehensive programmatic plans.
o Oversee proposal development and funding strategies for research programs.

5. Workforce Development & Outreach
o Provide high-level oversight of the Mississippi Advanced Composites Training Center, ensuring workforce initiatives align with industry needs.
o Develop partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to strengthen workforce pipelines.
o Ensure that K-12, 2-year, 4-year, and industry training programs integrate seamlessly into ACI’s broader mission.

6. Continuous Improvement & Innovation
o Lead efforts to evaluate and refine ACI’s research, workforce, and outreach programs based on industry advancements and technological trends.
o Implement data-driven decision-making processes to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of ACI initiatives.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
• Directly oversee the business management team, research program management team, workforce development team, and outreach team.
• Serve as a senior leader within ACI, providing guidance across multiple disciplines.
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