Associate Director for Administration

The Associate Director of Administration (ADA) is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing and optimizing the administrative functions of NOIRLab. Reporting directly to the Center Director the ADA acts as a strategic advisor and operational partner ensuring the smooth and effective management of critical administrative areas including organizational planning facilities and compliance. The ADA will work closely with the finance teams of CAS (Central Administrative Services) NOIRLab and other staff to ensure smooth and efficient operations.

Essential Functions

• Serve as a principal advisor to the Center Director facilitating strategic planning and of NOIRLabs administrative priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Entrusted with daytoday operations and decision making.
• Assist in the development and implementation of longterm strategy.
• Work closely with NOIRLab leadership to implement policies processes and procedures that enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to prioritize and execute strategic NOIRLab initiatives.
• Initiate and support open communications and reporting across a complex matrixed organization.
• Support NOIRLabs engagement with the National Science Foundation and other funding agencies in partnership with AURA CAS.
• Engage with partner institutions and governing bodies including oversight boards and committees.
• Coordinate development of presentations and materials for governance meetings conferences and all hands meetings.
• Ensure alignment of administrative functions with NOIRLabs strategic objectives and NSF requirements.
• Work with leaders managers and CAS team members to prepare annual plans and budgets along with quarterly and annual reports. Drive the annual budget development process.
• Review financial forecasts and work with managers to adjust planned expenditures.
• Monitor and report on progress to senior management.
• Develop project plans allocate resources and track progress.
• Facilitate crossfunctional collaboration and resolve projectrelated issues.
• Facilitate change management and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Support the Center Director in critical decisionmaking stakeholder engagement internal communications and special initiatives.
• Work with the Head of CAS and NOIRLabs compliance offices to ensure processes are aligned with NOIRLabs strategic goals and compliance requirements.
• Provide comprehensive analysis and strategic insights to inform decisions.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements and implement best practices.
• Oversee administrative operations including engagement with human resources safety compliance facilities management and operational planning.
• Manage a staff that includes the Head of Finance Finance Team and Compliance Officer as well as Travel Coordinators and Administrative employees among others.
• Periodically travel to NOIRLab sites in Hawaii and Chile and other locations.
• All AURA employees are responsible for the proper management and control of all AURA property within their work area whether assigned to them or someone else.
• This responsibility includes reporting any known missing stolen or nonworking property in their work area to their supervisor or the AURA Property Officer.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with government award terms and conditions assigned to this position or subordinates of this position as defined in the Vela Award Management system.

Other Functions

• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in business administration public administration organizational management or a related field (Masters degree preferred).
• Extensive experience in administrative leadership roles within a complex scientific academic or research institution.
• Demonstrated expertise in operational management organizational strategy and policy implementation.
• Strong leadership problemsolving and decisionmaking skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of compliance legal and regulatory frameworks relevant to federally funded institutions.
• Experience with change management and process optimization in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to evolving institutional needs.

Preferences

• Experience working with Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)
• Experience with administration of Uniform Guidance 2 CFR Part 200 requirements.
• Experience working in a scientific or higher education setting.
• Understanding of facilities management safety and operational logistics in a research or technical environment.
• A background in university administration government laboratory or other government organization.

Work Environment

This position operates in a professional office environment and routinely utilizes standard office equipment including computers phones and copiers. The work environment is generally quiet and may involve working in close proximity to others depending on the needs of the specific function

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50 of the time.
• Occasional need to move about inside the office environment to access files office tools attendance in a meeting room etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity tools that require fine motor skills such as a calculator copy machine computer printer etc.
• May occasionally need to position self to maintain computer and related tools.
• Seldomly needed to move objects up to 10 pounds.
• Constant communication with other individuals. Must be able to discern and exchange information as appropriate to the situation.
• Constant need to distinguish discern and identify a variety of objects and fine details with accuracy.
• Some travel may be necessary in or outside the contiguous United States including travel to the various observatory sites (Arizona Chile and Hawaii).
• Occasional work at high elevation summit sites may be required (summit elevations range from 6800 feet to 14000 feet)

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties responsibilities and skills required by personnel so classified. This Institute promotes Equal Employment Opportunity workplace that includes reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified disabled applicants and employees.

Location

Tucson AZ or Phoenix AZ or Washington D.C.; Remote options may be considered for candidates in states where AURA is registered as an employer.

Salary Range

$165000$186000. The final salary will depend on skills qualifications and experience.

AURA offers an outstanding benefits package designed to support both your professional and personal wellbeing. This includes a competitive salary commensurate with experience a 10 retirement contribution from day one generous paid leave retiree medical benefits and a missiondriven work environment. Additional details about AURAs benefits can be found at to Apply

Apply by March 31 2025 for priority consideration. This position will remain open until it is filled. Submit a cover letter and resume PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: Lastname Docname.

Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance at