Administrative Director, Department of Neurobiology

Administrative Director

The Department of Neurobiology in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University carries a dual mission of world-class neuroscientific research and excellent undergraduate, master's, and doctoral education.

The Administrative Director will bring scientific expertise to the position as the Department's senior administrative leader. Drawing on previous practical experience as a research scientist, the Administrative Director will work in close partnership with the Department Chair and faculty to facilitate and optimize all departmental operations including management and planning of facilities and laboratory spaces; oversight of a research-intensive graduate program; recruitment and retention of faculty researchers; and management of office staff.

This is a full-time position with a salary range of $88,000 - $92,000 per year. The salary offered will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Specific Responsibilities

• Lab and Facilities Management : Leverage experience and disciplinary knowledge in neuroscience (or related field) to manage and optimize space and infrastructure utilization to promote the research mission of the department. Collaborate with scientists to maintain and optimize use of research spaces, equipment, and infrastructure. Partner with Facilities Management, advocating for the needs of the department's research community and translating research needs to FM. Identify and help mitigate consequences for research resulting from construction projects. Oversee departmental safety and security plans. Manage scientific equipment procurement and inventory, ensuring alignment with research priorities.
• Faculty Recruitment and Retention : Partner with the Chair to manage the recruitment and retention process for faculty, with attention to space planning, renovation, and laboratory setup. Proactively identify needs specific to candidates' research, such as animal research, and the suitability of existing scientific facilities and departmental and university-wide resources.
• Financial Management : Provide strategic oversight of a $0.5M annual operating budget, with a deep understanding of the financial needs of research and education. Monitor budgets, anticipating scientific resource needs and advising the Chair on financial planning. Develop plans for new revenue growth and recommendations for incremental investments.
• Funding Opportunities : Stay abreast of funding opportunities and relevant research to advise faculty and other researchers on potential funding sources. Provide high-level, scientifically informed administrative support on grant proposals and / or training grants.
• Staff Management : Supervise administrative staff, ensuring efficient workflow and administrative support for faculty and researchers. Lead hiring, training, and onboarding.
• Academic Program Management : Oversee the Master's Degree program, including admissions, orientation, and student progress tracking. Identify opportunities for enhancements. Maintain alumni engagement and track career outcomes to inform program improvement.
• Compliance : Ensure compliance with University policies related to research, grant administration, and academic programs. Advise faculty and staff on best practices.
• Advocacy and Resource Acquisition : Advocate on behalf of the department to secure necessary resources and support. Represent the department in meetings and discussions related to resource allocation and strategic planning. Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to enhance the department's visibility and access to resources.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Competencies : (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

Preferred Qualifications