Job Description

The MSE Program is an interdisciplinary Ph.D. and M.S. program sought at providing a rigorous education in materials science and engineering and the fundamental physics, engineering, chemistry and biology that underlie this subject area. Educational goals are achieved through both coursework and training in cross-disciplinary research supervised by one or more science and engineering faculty members.

The program offers six unique tracks of study: electronic, magnetic and photonics materials; soft materials; structural materials; materials for energy; biomaterials; and computational materials science.

We are committed to honoring unique backgrounds and experiences. Join our team and help us build a more inclusive and diverse academic culture!
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Operations Management:
Serves as the program operations business manager and the point of contact for matters concerning the program, including the development and implementation of organizational and academic initiatives and business improvements consistent with college and program strategies.
Assists the Director with short-term and long-term strategic planning by investigating, analyzing, and interpreting operational and program data.
Acts as liaison for the Director by communicating with faculty, CEAS and A&S department staff and administrators, and CEAS and A&S administrators.
Serves as the primary point of contact for all administrative matters concerning the program, ensuring prompt and effective resolution of issues. Facilitates program schedules and meetings.
Manages all lab and office space for the program and, using parameters established by the Director, determines overall space allocations for the program. Serves as program liaison to building services leadership for the SEEC and SEEL buildings.
Manages campus and external collaborator relations, ensuring smooth communication and working relationships, oversees renovation and space reallocation projects, manages or directs other projects.
Manges the coordination of events ensuring that multiple events are planned, organized, managed, and implemented consistently and successfully, including program Graduation Ceremony and other events (e.g., Symposia).
Serves as the program primary point of contact for administrative matters concerning planning, and coordination in the formulation, interpretation, and implementation of current and long-term program policies, procedures, and programs; disseminates and delegates the work as appropriate, and ensures tasks are completed in a timely manner by established deadlines.
Tracks program and affiliate faculty memberships, assists in recruiting new program faculty, and oversees program faculty applications and voting.
Oversees and administers the payroll for all graduate student, student assistant, research staff positions for the program.
Works with Human Resources Service Center to ensure all appointments are entered in the HCM system and are accurate.
Pull monthly and bi-weekly payroll reports through the HCM system.
Works with the Human Resource Service Center to update all appointments as requested by faculty.
Ensures all I9 communication and adherence requirements are met for the program.
Budget Oversight/Contract & Grant Management:
Formulates and implements financial procedures for the Materials Science & Engineering Program by interpreting and following Federal, State, University, and Program rules and regulations. Adheres to policies to assure the safekeeping of program assets and attends training in the areas of business practices, University, and State regulations, and the use of data processing systems.
Has authority to make operating/budget decisions and approve expenditures.
Implements financial processes to initiate new grant fund activities, including authorization of purchases and allocation of expenses.
Oversees the accurate and compliant financial management for the MSE Program. Reconciles and analyzes all general fund, auxiliary, grant, and gift accounts to assure accuracy in posting of revenues and expenses by tracking activity.
Develops, organizes, tracks, and reports on project-specific budgets at detail-level, including tracking and organizing of sub-budgets.
Makes budget recommendations by analyzing past expenses, current balances, and projected program needs using university fiscal rules and generally accepted accounting rules. Acts as the program representative for all communication and clarity regarding purchases in compliance with the Fiscal Code of Ethics policy. In collaboration with OCG personnel, updates information and determines status of grant awards, prepares summary financial reports of grant fund activity.
Independently analyzes actual expenses (vs. budgeted ones) for monthly review with Director and grant PIs; monitors accounts to prevent deficits; sets up new speedtypes and monitors subcontracts with other companies; reviews all accounts to determine appropriateness of transactions for type of account.
Oversees procurement and accounts payable. Approves purchase reimbursements, procurement and travel card charges, journal entries, cast transfers, purchase requisitions, and travel reimbursements.
Leads budget preparation and justification for grant proposals submitted during the year, leads budget and expenses components for various quarterly or annual grant reports due during the year (NSF and others), as needed.
Advises faculty on the current status of their accounts, explains prevailing accounting rules, and helps prevent overspending on grant accounts and/or the purchase of items not allowed by the grant.
Informs faculty and staff of changes in accounting, payroll, and reimbursement rules; proactively identifies and manages MSE financial risks; troubleshoot in the event of difficult or unexpected financial scenarios.
Proactively identify and manage contract and grant risks and troubleshoot any difficulties as they arise.
Advises faculty on the use of proper forms, budget templates, and processes in proposal preparation; assists faculty with preparing budgets and justifications, obtaining appropriate cost share commitment documentation and approvals from department Chairs when required.
Reviews RFPs for requirements when necessary to assist with gathering documentation for proposal submission. Monitors entries in the OCG database for new and existing award funding, runs reports, gathers active and pending award data for faculty reviews.
Supervision/Approval:
This position is responsible for the supervision of professional and administrative staff.
Delegates and tracks work duties and assigns duties as appropriate.
Facilitates coaching sessions, provides development opportunities, and conducts annual evaluations and goal planning sessions with program staff. Approves vacation/sick leave.
Initiates the staff hiring process, interviews applicants, and recommends hiring, promotions, and salary levels to the Director and CEAS Human Resources.
Project Management/Other:
Plans and implements special assignments and projects as directed by the Director which align with the growth and needs of the Program.
Undertakes other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Stayed apprised and current on relevant University and State of Colorado policies and procedures.
Participates in professional development activities and serves on unit, college, or campus committees as applicable.
What You Should Know
What You Should Know
This position may be eligible for a hybrid work modality, consistent with the College of Engineering and Applied Science Hybrid Work Policy.
What We Can Offer
What We Can Offer
The annual salary range for this full-time position is $71,500 - $82,000.
Relocation assistance is available within department guidelines.