Assistant Director - Office of High Impact Practices

Position Classification

Regular, full-time, salaried, exempt and benefit-eligible staff position. For more benefit information visit Why Work at UCO?

Position Overview

The Assistant Director of the Office of High Impact Practices (OHIP) plays an important role in providing students with opportunities supporting research across campus. By managing established grant programs for graduate and undergraduate students, overseeing large workshops and events, and interacting with the Central Undergraduate Research Board (CURB) and Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Team (URCAT), the Assistant Director can make a significant impact on students from all disciplines.

The Assistant Director will assist the Director by:

• Managing student research programs including the Research, Creative, and Scholarly Activities (RCSA) Grant Program, Undergraduate Research Abroad (URA) Grant Program, and Student Travel Presentation Grants.
• Organizing the annual Undergraduate Research Week and other workshops throughout the year.
• Manage travel arrangements for students presenting research at the World Congress on Undergraduate Research, National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Oklahoma Research Day, and other student research conferences.
• Manage faculty reviews for student submissions to 1890: The Journal of Undergraduate Research.
• Manage the OHIP budget including fund transfers, requisitions, and purchases in accordance with all UCO and State of Oklahoma guidelines.
• Provide Guidance to the CURB student advisory board.
• Supporting the work of the URCAT which includes typing up the minutes of monthly meetings.
• Managing office communications and program marketing including the OHIP’s social media and web pages.

Reporting Relationships

The Assistant Director reports to the OHIP Director and may undertake some responsibilities of the Director in their absence.

Supervisory and Team Leadership Responsibility

The Assistant Director supervises the OHIP staff and student employees and evaluates performance, supervises staff and manages work in OHIP, delegates tasks to others, provides direction on exceptional or ambiguous situations, coaches and develops employees, and promotes effective relationships with UCO students and faculty, and within the OHIP.

Budget Authority

The Assistant Director has responsibility for project timelines and budgets, coordinates and allocates resources relevant to assigned area, and has signature authority for purchases or payroll.

Communication and Interaction

The Assistant Director communicates guidelines for project and service delivery, disseminates information about projects and deadlines to students and faculty, and uses diplomacy and advance communication skills in unstructured setting. Assists the Director in meeting with students and faculty, publicly and privately, to promote undergraduate research activities at UCO.

Effective Knowledge

The Assistant Director contributes to the programs and initiatives of the OHIP through advanced knowledge, skill, and experience. Proficient at project management, planning, and developing goals for programs administered by the OHIP. May directly undertake some administrative/support tasks, though this should not exceed 30 percent of the job.

Problem Solving and Judgment

The Assistant Director develops, evaluates, and implements measures to improve quality that have an impact at the department or divisional level. Modifies guidelines and processes to resolve issues or problems. Creates an environment that supports customer service and problem solving.

Policy and Procedure Authority

The Assistant Director assists and consults in developing and recommending policies and strategic plans in the OHIP. Has limited authority to implement policies/procedures within area of responsibility.

Qualifications/Experience Required

Bachelor’s degree in job related field plus 7+ years of work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Requires work experience with leading, planning, including program development and innovation, program prioritization, and assessment. Extensive knowledge and comprehensive understanding of functional areas. Appropriate professional accomplishments and credentials.

Qualifications/Experience Preferred

Master’s Degree is preferred with specialization in a discipline relevant to the practice of research being preferred. Strong oral and written communications skills required. Successful candidates should have experience in academic research. 7+ years of experience with program or office management, budgeting, and/or grant writing is preferred for this position.

Physical Demands
Reasonable accommodations (in accordance with ADA requirements) may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.