Assistant Director, Research Collaborative Services - Technology Services - 1027172-6689

University of Illinois - Urbana, IL

Full-time

Hybrid - Urbana, IL

Educational Services

About the position

The Assistant Director of Research Collaborative Services is a strategic leadership role at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, aimed at enhancing research productivity and innovation through cross-campus collaboration. This position focuses on building partnerships and facilitating collaboration among various research support units, engaging with directors and key stakeholders to create a unified approach to research support that aligns with the university's strategic goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead efforts to foster collaboration among diverse research support units, including engaging with directors of other research support services to align objectives and streamline efforts.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships across campus to integrate research support services, breaking down silos and promoting a cohesive approach to supporting research excellence.
• Act as a key liaison between research support entities, facilitating communication and joint initiatives that enhance the overall research environment.
• Cultivate a collaborative ecosystem by organizing and leading forums, workshops, and training sessions that bring together research support professionals and stakeholders.
• Nurture and empower a campus-wide research support community, encouraging knowledge sharing, best practices, and joint problem-solving among research support units.
• Champion initiatives that align research support with the university's strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and other directors to develop integrated strategies that support the university's research mission, driving continuous improvement and innovation in research support.
• Facilitate strategic projects that address gaps in research support.
• Serve as an advocate for the needs of researchers and research support units, ensuring that their voices are heard in strategic planning and decision-making processes.
• Maintain open lines of communication with research stakeholders, providing updates on initiatives, gathering feedback, and adjusting strategies to better meet the needs of the research community.
• Regularly assess the effectiveness of collaborative efforts and support services, using feedback from the research community to drive enhancements and align with evolving needs.
• Implement processes for continuous improvement, ensuring that research support initiatives remain relevant, efficient, and responsive to the dynamic research landscape.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• Five years of education, training, and/or work experience supporting and/or assisting in research in an academic setting.
• Demonstrated experience leading workshops.
• Experience with research support and/or strategic collaboration and partnership building.

Nice-to-haves

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the capacity to advocate for research needs and engage effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a proactive approach to enhancing research support through integrated, collaborative efforts.
• Ability to work across various levels of the university, including senior leadership, directors, and other key stakeholders, to drive collaborative initiatives.

Benefits

• Hybrid work options may be available, allowing for on-site work as needed per the university's Workplace Flexibility Policy.