Strategic Lead, Research Infrastructure & Operations

Purdue University; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Purdue University’s Office of Research invites a senior leader to shape systems and operational frameworks for major research facilities and infrastructure initiatives. The role collaborates with university leaders, faculty, and partners to improve governance, service models, and decision-making across the research portfolio.

The ideal candidate translates complex needs into practical options, leads initiatives from concept to sustainable implementation, and uses rigorous analysis and influence

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, operations management, business or public administration, organizational leadership, planning, research administration, science, engineering
• Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in operations strategy or improvement, process redesign, program or portfolio management, research or technical operations, institutional operations, infrastructure or space planning, service-model design, organizational change, or continuous improvement

Responsibilities

• Lead complex cross-functional initiatives from problem identification through implementation, measurement, and transition to sustainable operations
• Evaluate workflows, handoffs, service gaps, recurring problems, and unclear ownership to identify root causes and improvement opportunities
• Develop operating models, governance structures, decision rights, service expectations, intake procedures, and escalation pathways
• Translate ambiguous needs into practical options, recommendations, and implementation plans with measurable outcomes
• Prepare business cases, options analyses, executive summaries, decision memoranda, project plans, and performance measures
• Use data to establish priorities and support portfolio-wide decisions across organizational boundaries

Skills

Systems thinking

Stakeholder management

Process improvement

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering / Operations/ Admin

Six years of relevant experience

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Purdue University’s Office of Research invites a senior leader to shape systems and operational frameworks for major research facilities and infrastructure initiatives. The role collaborates with university leaders, faculty, and partners to improve governance, service models, and decision-making across the research portfolio.

The ideal candidate translates complex needs into practical options, leads initiatives from concept to sustainable implementation, and uses rigorous analysis and influence