Director, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Projects

The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is seeking a dynamic Director for our Roadside Ecology Center. As a member of the PRI Leadership Team, the Director will participate in strategic project leadership and overall administration for the development, coordination, and implementation of scientific research.   

This is an in-person position based in Champaign, Illinois, with competitive compensation and the chance to collaborate with top experts across diverse disciplines.

The Prairie Research Institute (PRI) is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis and houses five State Scientific Surveys covering a wide range of expertise, including biology, water resources, climate, geology, sustainable technology, and archaeology.  PRI’s mission is to provide objective, integrated scientific research and services that allow citizens and decision-makers to make informed decisions that ensure sustainable economic development, enduring environmental quality, and cultural resource preservation for the people, businesses, and across Illinois, the nation, and the world. Learn more at https://go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.

Why Work at the Prairie Research Institute?

As Director of the Roadside Ecology Center, you will

• Regularly publish results of individual and center-level research outcomes in appropriate outlets, including journals, conference proceedings, etc.
• Secure sponsored funds to support research efforts.
• Collaborate with faculty, research staff, technical staff, industry partners, and others to pursue research opportunities that advance the scientific mission and strategic goals of the Center.
• Prepare and/or deliver, as appropriate, presentations, briefings, and reports regarding activities for diverse audiences.
• Supervise and lead Center staff to achieve success in research and foster a culture of innovation and high-level performance at both individual and organizational levels. This includes task assignment, scheduling, ongoing performance management with coaching and feedback, career development planning, lease/travel approval, as well as conducting annual performance reviews.
• Develop, implement, and manage Center operations through programs, policies, and objectives.
• Effectively manage finances within the available project funding for the Center. Track program budgets and progress to provide forecasts.
• Keep Survey Directors, PIs, and Supervisors informed of staff commitments associated with projects or Center activities.
• Develop and analyze program schedules, resource allocations, and budget inputs for annual operations for the development of new project proposals.
• Establish and maintain program status summaries and metrics.
• Ensure the appropriate levels of project governance to address risks and critical dependencies.
• Responsible for the development of the strategic plan and the development and implementation of programs, objectives, and long-range planning that are supportive of the Center.
• Identify, cultivate, and proactively establish partnerships among research staff across PRI and members of the University community, academic institutions, government research laboratories, and industry to realize new services and capabilities through joint programs and projects.
• Develop new strategic relationships locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
• Represent the Center’s expertise to stakeholders, sponsors, and the broader research community and participate as a leader/expert to identify the relevant experts across PRI and partners.
• Identify challenges that hinder the advancement and translation of research approaches and define and implement strategies for solving these challenges.
• Identify and develop funding opportunities in partnership with PRI staff.
• Develop strategy, policy, and collaborative relationships for the Center.
• Perform other duties as needed to further the mission and goals of the Center, PRI, and the University of Illinois.
• Keep abreast of developments in this discipline.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biology, ecology, or related fields with a minimum of ten years of research leadership experience as a PI or Co-PI. Alternate degree fields may be considered depending on the nature and depth of experience as it relates to this role.
• Experience leading and overseeing multiple projects with multidisciplinary teams.
• This position requires working with IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) sponsored projects and requires experience and a track record of products exemplifying advanced knowledge of projects.
• Experience leading large-scale, multidisciplinary projects with government, industry, or non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Proven track record of working with sponsor agencies and delivering required outcomes and artifacts.
• Demonstrated track record in developing and leading successful competitive proposals at State and/or Federal agencies.
• Experience executing long- and short-range plans and schedules and working with emerging technological systems, including machine learning/artificial intelligence.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.
• Experience making public presentations to diverse technical and nontechnical audiences and experience working with research communities and interdisciplinary projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience working with sponsor-cognizant staff in managing awards, corporate partners, foundations, and philanthropies.                     

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of best management practices, research design principles, and regulations related to wetlands and threatened and endangered species and their habitats.
• Proven ability to manage personnel from different disciplines.
• Proven leadership skills with a collaborative management style that will facilitate interaction with all levels in the organization (e.g., superiors, colleagues, subordinates) as well as customers and corporate partners.
• Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organization, teamwork, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines under minimal supervision.
• Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills.
• Proficiency in commonly employed software and databases.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position. The budgeted salary range for this position ranges from $100,000 to $150,000.  We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements.  The start date is negotiable. This position is not considered a tenure-track faculty position.