Head of Engineering Lab Operations & Innovation

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Lynchburg (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition assistance

Retirement plans

Job summary

Liberty University seeks a Director of Engineering Labs to provide strategic leadership for engineering laboratory operations, facilities, and infrastructure across the School of Engineering. The role oversees lab managers, staff, and student employees, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient lab environments that support teaching, research, and innovation.

Responsibilities include capital planning, budget management, and technology integration to advance the university's engineering

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering and five years of related field experience required. Master’s preferred.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal safety regulations is required.
• Experience with capital planning, facility development, and budgeting is essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year strategic plan for engineering lab operations aligned with university priorities.
• Serve as a thought partner to Deans and senior leadership on research growth and infrastructure investment.
• Lead long-term capital planning, lab expansion, modernization, and technology integration.
• Establish and monitor KPIs and performance metrics to evaluate operational effectiveness.
• Provide leadership over multiple levels of management (lab managers, staff, students).
• Direct and approve large-scale operating and capital budgets and ensure alignment with priorities.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Facilities management

Lab operations

Budget management

Vendor management

Contract negotiations

Safety compliance

Staff development

Performance management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master’s preferred

Tools

Facility planning software

Data analytics

Safety systems

Job description

Liberty University seeks a Director of Engineering Labs to provide strategic leadership for engineering laboratory operations, facilities, and infrastructure across the School of Engineering. The role oversees lab managers, staff, and student employees, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient lab environments that support teaching, research, and innovation.

Responsibilities include capital planning, budget management, and technology integration to advance the university's engineering