Assistant Director, Office of Research Facilities and Space Operations

About the role

The Assistant Director, Research Facilities and Space Operations, serves as a lead operational integrator for the Office of Research facility portfolio. The position coordinates research space, facility operations, project development, relocations, and service model improvements across complex interdisciplinary research environments. The role works closely with faculty, institute leadership, academic units, Administrative Operations, Capital Asset Management, Facilities Operations, Environmental Health and Safety, Space Administration, Centrally Managed Animal Facilities, business offices, vendors, and external partners to translate research needs into executable facility, space, and operational plans.

Responsibilities

• Supports existing facilities and projects, and identifies, develops, launches, and stabilizes new operational capabilities that improve the reliability, responsiveness, and stewardship of research infrastructure.
• Creates scalable support models, improves coordination across existing campus service providers, clarifies service expectations for interdisciplinary research buildings, develops pilot approaches for unmet operational needs, and establishes sustainable operating models for current and future research facilities.
• Bridges ambiguity in facility and space challenges, develops clear options and recommendations for leadership, defines service boundaries with campus partners, and ensures Purdue's research facilities are aligned with institutional research priorities.

Requirements

• Education and Experience Required:
• Bachelor's degree in facilities management, architecture, engineering, construction management, planning, science, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience in facility planning, research operations, laboratory or technical facility support, capital or non-capital project coordination, space management, institutional operations, or a related field.
• Experience should include demonstrated ability to coordinate complex multi-stakeholder facility or operational initiatives; interpret building plans and facility constraints; support research, laboratory, academic, or technical environments; develop project work plans and revise them as needs change; prepare business cases or implementation plans; and launch or improve operational processes, service models, or programs.
• Preferred:
• Master's degree or equivalent advanced professional experience
• Experience includes higher education, academic medical, pharmaceutical, research institute, public sector, or laboratory-intensive settings; familiarity with research safety, laboratory utilities, animal research environments, specialized equipment support, building operations, R&R planning, and space governance; and use of space, project, dashboard, or work order systems.
• Relevant credentials such as IFMA FMP/CFM, PMP, LEED, APPA, or similar professional certifications are desirable.

Skills

• Strong judgment in ambiguous environments with incomplete data, unclear ownership, and multiple stakeholder interests
• Demonstrated ability to develop new initiatives from concept through pilot, implementation, metrics, and transition to sustainable operations
• Relationship-based influence with faculty, staff, administrators, facility professionals, project managers, and external partners
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including leadership-ready one-pagers, decision memos, business cases, project updates, and meeting summaries
• Effective facilitation of team and client meetings; ability to manage conflict diplomatically and drive decisions without unnecessary escalation
• Highly organized, self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize competing demands
• Ability to analyze space, facility, operational, and service data to identify risks, patterns, options, and recommendations
• Define service boundaries, governance structures, intake processes, funding assumptions, staffing models, and escalation pathways
• Translate research needs into executable facility, space, project, and operational plans
• Work effectively in a collaborative, results-driven culture with a strong commitment to safety, reliability, and transparency

Additional Information

• Purdue University will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Immediate Defined Contribution by the university
• Benefit Statement: Purdue University offers a substantial Benefit Package including medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous paid time off package for sick and vacation days