Associate Director, Administrative Operations

Position Function:

The Associate Director, Administrative Operations (ADO) will report directly to the Director of the Raspet Flight Research Laboratory (Raspet) and support senior staff in advancing the mission of Raspet to “Advance aerospace technologies, practices, and safety through solution-oriented aeronautical research and partnerships to solve the most challenging problems for our customers and the nation.” The ADO will ensure effective coordination of initiatives and communication across flight operations, research engineering, program management, and business units as well as support coordination with the broader MSU community and external stakeholders. The ADO will engage with internal and external stakeholders to understand the numerous initiatives, projects, and objectives of Raspet’s research and service mission, providing support and coordination at Raspet.

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:

Mississippi State University's Raspet Flight Research Laboratory (RFRL) is a historic, nationally recognized leader in the field of experimental aviation research. Founded in 1948, Raspet stands out as one of the University's most long standing and prominently established research entities with a 70-year history of excellence. True to its heritage, today Raspet continually advances modern concepts in experimental aviation through the research, development, testing, and evaluation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and their associated technologies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the Director in the execution of daily requirements to advance the organization and lead the organization at times when the Director is unavailable
• Identify, implement, and lead enhanced coordination of research initiatives to expand opportunities, advance impact, and increase funding
• Serve to advance strategic collaboration with Raspet’s aerospace industry and government partners to offer research, facilities, and/or operational support that aligns with Raspet’s mission
• Assist with proposal and program development and execution as needed, including partnership development opportunities, university projects, and regional development.
• Assist with key programs or projects to directly oversee execution as program manager
• Support large Raspet efforts to improve facilities and/or develop relationships along with the Associate Director of Operations for alternative locations for operational testing, training, research, and development
• Lead efforts to improve internal communication between units, strategic planning processes, operating procedures and responsibilities as well as frequent overviews of organizational activities
• Oversee the further development of Raspet’s safety management and qualified assurances documentation processes and serve as an alternative aviation safety officer when necessary
• Support the director and senior leadership to participate in a variety of events with external stakeholders to represent the interests of Raspet and MSU
• Assist with overall administration of staff activities to include trainings, evaluations, promotion processes, and recruitment
• Assist with budgetary oversight and fiscal management as requested
• Aid the Director and Associate Director of Research Engineering in Raspet’s efforts to maintain coordination with the Bagley College of Engineering and appropriate department heads to ensure collaboration across research endeavors
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in a related field and 5 years of experience in a leadership position.
Must have experience in aerospace and flight operational environments with knowledge of aviation regulatory processes, civil or defense.

Preferred Qualifications:

Doctoral Degree in relevant field of study, demonstrated leadership and administrative experience, and 10+ years of experience in a leadership and/or management role supporting cross functional teams in aviation and/or defense.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Vision and leadersh