Assistant Director - QCoR

umd; College Park (MD); On-site; USD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Quantum Collaborative Research Corp (QCoR) at the University of Maryland's CMNS-Physics invites applications for an Assistant Director responsible for financial operations, sponsored project administration, and compliance.

You will oversee grants, budgeting, reporting, and liaise with HR, IT, procurement, and facilities to support pre- and post-award activities, ensuring alignment with sponsor and university policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Seven (7) years of professional experience managing business operations.
• Two (2) years of experience supervising or managing professional staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee sponsored project finance, asset management, and proposal activities.
• Manage grant and contract administration, budgeting, procurement, reporting, and revenue tracking.
• Coordinate with HR, IT, procurement, and facilities to support operations and compliance.
• Support Principal Investigators with pre- and post-award activities and ensure policy compliance.

Skills

Communication

Data analytics

Negotiation

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Accounting/Finance background (preferred)

Tools

Workday

Concur

Priority BA

Job description

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement: The Quantum Collaborative Research Corp (QCoR) is a proposed research center within the Department of Physics in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) designed to provide a unified structure for conducting and coordinating LPS-sponsored quantum hardware research at the University of Maryland. The Center formalizes consolidating staffing, laboratory operations, and sponsored program administration into a single entity aligned with the mission of the LPS Qubit Collaboratory (LQC).

The Assistant Director provides leadership, guidance, and expertise in all aspects of sponsored project finance and administration activities, asset management, and proposals for the Quantum Collaborative Research Corp (QCoR) center in the Department of Physics, and assures these activities are in sync with the operations and goals of the center. This position plays a critical role in fostering an atmosphere of compliance with federal, state, and university policies, while also developing innovative strategies to expand research funding opportunities and increase proposal submissions across the College.

Job Description Summary: The position serves as a primary point of contact between the QCoR Director, staff, faculty, and other constituents with whom the Center interacts and the leadership offices of UMD and the government sponsor. The Assistant Director works in close cooperation with HR, IT, and FM staff support in the Institute and will be required to apply a working knowledge of applicable laws and regulations to oversee the review of documents for completeness and compliance with government and sponsor regulations.

The Assistant Director plays a central leadership role in managing the financial, administrative, and research operations of the Quantum Collaborative Research Corp (QCoR) Center. This position ensures that sponsored project finance, asset management, and proposal activities align with the Center’s strategic goals while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and university regulations.

Serving as a key liaison between the QCoR Director(s), faculty, staff, university leadership, and external sponsors, the Assistant Director provides guidance on research administration, grants management, and financial oversight. The role requires close collaboration with HR, IT, Procurement, and Facilities teams, along with a strong working knowledge of regulatory requirements to support accurate and efficient operations.

The Assistant Director oversees administrative and financial functions, including grant and contract management, budgeting, procurement, reporting, and revenue tracking. They establish and maintain business processes, ensure compliant financial transactions, support Principal Investigators with pre- and post-award activities, and oversee proposal approvals.

In addition to operational leadership, the Assistant Director manages day-to-day Center activities, addresses complex administrative challenges, aligns resources with program priorities, and supervises staff, supporting professional development and high performance.

Overall, this role is critical to advancing the Center’s research mission through strong financial leadership, compliance oversight, and effective administration.

Physical demands: Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. This position is required to have the ability to move freely about the campus to attend meetings multiple times a week. This includes the off‑site location for the department.

Licenses/Certifications: N/A

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or University.

Experience: Seven (7) years of professional experience managing business operations. Two (2) years of experience supervising or managing professional staff.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of business acumen to understand key business drivers, organizational communications, and data.
• Knowledge of organizational and unit performances measures.
• Knowledge of the impact and implications of decisions on leadership objectives.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in data analytics and negotiation.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office and Google Suite products.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion.
• Ability to develop and administer new policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.

Additional Job Details

Preferences

• Degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Experience with UMD administrative systems, including Workday, Concur, and Priority BA software.
• Sponsored research experience

Job Risks

Not Applicable to This Position

Financial Disclosure Required

For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.

Department

CMNS-Physics

Worker Sub-Type

Staff Regular

Salary Range

$130,000 - $140,000

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regardingdisclosablebackground checkinformation. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Resources

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