Assistant Director, Office of Research Facilities and Space Operations

Job Summary

Purdue University's Office of Research catalyzes Purdue-led research by bringing together researchers and resources across traditional academic boundaries and by providing guidance and support that enables discovery and societal impact. The Office of Research supports grant and regulatory functions, large multi-disciplinary programs, interdisciplinary institutes and centers, major research infrastructure, Purdue's research presence in Indianapolis, the One Health Innovation District, and new interdisciplinary life science research facilities.

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.

This position is responsible not only for supporting existing facilities and projects, but also for identifying, developing, launching, and stabilizing new operational capabilities that improve the reliability, responsiveness, and stewardship of research infrastructure. This may include creating scalable support models, improving coordination across existing campus service providers, clarifying service expectations for interdisciplinary research buildings, developing pilot approaches for unmet operational needs, and establishing sustainable operating models for current and future research facilities. As the Assistant Director you must bring structure to ambiguous facility and space challenges, develop clear options and recommendations for leadership, define service boundaries with campus partners, and help ensure Purdue's research facilities are planned, assigned, operated, and improved in alignment with institutional research priorities.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the next generation of research facility support at Purdue University. The Office of Research supports a broad and growing research enterprise, including interdisciplinary institutes and centers, shared research infrastructure, specialized facilities, and emerging strategic initiatives across West Lafayette and Indianapolis. As Purdue continues to expand its research impact through interdisciplinary discovery, industry partnership, One Health, life sciences, data-enabled research, national security, and other strategic areas, the need for coordinated, reliable, and forward-looking facility support continues to grow. This position will play a key role in building the processes, service models, partnerships, and operational capabilities needed to support that growth.

About Us

Be a part of Administrative Operations—the organization that powers Purdue University by providing safe, reliable and transformative services. We support the university’s day-to-day operations, as well as the strategic vision for the future.

Administrative Operations delivers a wide range of essential services through various positions, including custodians, construction project managers, electricians, firefighters, groundskeepers, plumbers and more. We are looking for hardworking, dedicated individuals as we continue to grow strong, service-focused teams across campus. Team members work in collaborative environments where their contributions directly impact the success and daily experience of students, faculty, staff and campus visitors.

Our employees benefit from the stability of year-round work, competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, retirement plans, paid time off and opportunities for ongoing training and professional growth.

to begin your career with Administration Operations!

What We're Looking For

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 Required:

• Strong:
  • judgment in ambiguous environments with incomplete data, unclear ownership, and multiple stakeholder interests
  • project and process discipline, including issue tracking, action management, documentation, follow-through, and continuous improvement 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

Career Stream

Professional 4

• Pay Band S070
Job Code #20002070

Career path maker: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/careerpathmaker/

Who We Are

Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Purdue University is an EOE employer.