Managing Director — Administrative Associate I/S

Working/Functional Title

Managing Director

Position Summary

The TEMPEST Center (Transformative Explorations in Multi-Physics and Engineering of Scientific Turbulence) at Michigan State University is seeking a Managing Director to provide day-to-day operational and strategic leadership for the Center. TEMPEST is a multi-institutional Science and Technology Center focused on advancing understanding, modeling, and prediction of non-canonical turbulence through integrated experimental science, theory and modeling, and artificial intelligence/machine learning. Because the Managing Director will work closely with leading researchers across multiple STEM disciplines, this role requires the ability to understand, communicate, and help advance a complex interdisciplinary scientific mission.

The Managing Director will work closely with the Center Director and Executive Committee to translate the Center’s strategic priorities into coordinated operations. The Managing Director will supervise staff members and will serve as a central bridge between TEMPEST’s scientific leadership and its operational and partnership activities. The Center’s core administrative functions, including finance, human resources, sponsored projects, purchasing, and related administrative support, will be managed through the College of Engineering, with the Managing Director serving as a key liaison to those administrative partners. The Managing Director will coordinate Center operations across multiple partner institutions, facilitate integration across research thrusts, strengthen external partnerships, contribute to strategic planning and sustainability, oversee reporting and assessment, and facilitate continuous improvement across the TEMPEST network.

This is an end-dated position that may be renewed annually. TEMPEST is expected to operate for an initial five-year project period, with the potential for renewal for an additional five years. Continued employment and annual renewal depend on satisfactory performance, continued funding availability, and mutual agreement between the employee and the College of Engineering.

Community of Respect and Innovation

At Michigan State University’s College of Engineering, we believe that education and innovation are strongest when built on mutual respect. Guided by MSU’s land-grant mission, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge, expanding access to education, and creating solutions that serve the common good. We are committed to a community where each person is respected, supported, and empowered to thrive—engineering with respect, innovating with purpose, building with trust, and growing through resilience. Learn more about our Community of Respect and Innovation.

Responsibilities

Center Operations, Research Integration, and Administrative Leadership

• Manage day-to-day operations of the TEMPEST Center in partnership with the Center Director and Executive Committee, ensuring that Center activities are aligned with strategic priorities, milestones, and NSF requirements.
• Coordinate Center-wide work plans, calendars, deliverables, leadership meetings, research and education integration activities, and cross-institutional initiatives across TEMPEST partner organizations.
• Support development and monitoring of annual priorities, operational plans, reporting timelines, resource needs, and Center-wide performance expectations.
• Coordinate preparation of Center reports, presentations, summaries, progress updates, and other documentation related to research integration, operations, partnerships, accomplishments, and sponsor requirements.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison to College of Engineering administrative units that oversee the Center’s financial, human resources, sponsored project, purchasing, and related administrative functions; coordinate information, timelines, and documentation needed to support Center activities.
• Identify operational or coordination challenges, recommend practical solutions, and lead implementation of process improvements that strengthen Center effectiveness and integration.

Staff Supervision and Team Leadership

• Provide direct supervision, direction, coaching, workload coordination, and performance feedback for support staff members in accordance with applicable university policies and collective bargaining agreements.
• Establish clear expectations, priorities, and work assignments; monitor progress and support staff in meeting Center deadlines and service expectations.
• Promote effective collaboration among TEMPEST administrative and programmatic functions and ensure staff work is aligned with Center priorities.
• Lead or coordinate staff meetings and internal planning activities and facilitate communication between Center leadership and support staff.
• Support employee development, cross-training, and continuity of Center operations.

Partnerships, Strategic Planning, Knowledge Transfer, and Assessment

• Serve as a senior administrative advisor to the Center PI and leadership team, providing guidance on the allowability and feasibility of proposed activities, expenditures, partnerships, and operations under NSF requirements, University policies, and Center resources.
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with TEMPEST partner universities, national laboratories, industry partners, external advisory members, and other stakeholders.
• Support Center leadership in identifying and developing new collaborations, research partnerships, knowledge-transfer opportunities, and strategic initiatives.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and help ensure that external partnerships are integrated into Center operations, research priorities, and long-term planning.
• Participate in annual strategic planning and continuous-improvement activities by gathering information, tracking progress, identifying emerging needs, and translating evaluation findings into operational changes.
• Work with TEMPEST leadership and the external evaluation team to support assessment activities, stakeholder feedback, performance monitoring, and documentation of outcomes.
• Support knowledge-transfer activities that connect TEMPEST research, datasets, software, methods, and scientific expertise with national laboratories, industry, government, and other external users.
• Contribute to planning for the Center’s long-term sustainability, institutionalization, visibility, and impact beyond the initial award period.
• Attend TEMPEST research meetings, partner meetings, advisory board activities, conferences, and other Center-related professional functions as appropriate.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Performs other duties as assigned to support the mission and operational needs of the center.

Hybrid Work Arrangement

This position offers the potential for a hybrid work arrangement that blends in-office and remote work. Because this role is highly collaborative and operational, it requires a significant in-person, on-campus presence. The supervisor will determine the specific arrangement based on Center priorities and operational needs.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Business Administration, Accounting, Management, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Organizational Leadership, and Finance or a related field; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible experience in financial or accounting practices, sponsored funding and grant administration, program or organizational management, strategic planning, partnership development, multi-institutional coordination, resource allocation, compliance, and assessment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Supervisory or team-leadership experience, including assigning work, setting expectations, providing feedback, and supporting staff performance and development; experience in a unionized or collective bargaining environment.
• Experience supporting grant-funded programs, sponsored projects, reporting, budgeting, or compliance-related administrative processes.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, conflict management/resolution skills, with the ability to navigate competing priorities and work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience coordinating resources, activities, or operations across multiple locations or partner institutions.
• Demonstrated interest in scientific research and discovery.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

A complete application will include:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three professional references

Special Instructions

This is an end-dated position that may be renewed annually. TEMPEST is expected to operate for an initial five-year project period, with the potential for renewal for an additional five years. Continued employment and annual renewal depend on continued funding availability, and mutual agreement between the employee and the College of Engineering.

This position offers the potential for a hybrid work arrangement that blends in-office and remote work. Because this role is highly collaborative and operational, it requires a significant in-person, on-campus presence. The supervisor will determine the specific arrangement based on Center priorities and operational needs.

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Description of End Date

This is an off-dated position funded for one year from date of hire, with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Website

https://tempest-stc.msu.edu/

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Bidding eligibility ends September 22, 2026, 11:55 PM