Strategic Lead, Research Infrastructure & Operations

Purdue University College of Engineering-Office of Academic Affairs; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Purdue University College of Engineering-Office of Academic Affairs seeks a senior Lead to shape research infrastructure strategy and operations. You will translate complex needs into practical solutions, collaborating with university leaders, faculty, and facilities teams to enable discovery and innovation.

The role focuses on governance, service models, and portfolio-level decision support, emphasizing analytical insight and strategic influence without direct supervision.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of operations strategy or improvement experience.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives from concept to implementation.
• Experience with operating models, governance, and performance measurement.
• Credentials such as Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or Prosci preferred.

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 and implement operating models, governance structures, decision rights, service expectations, intake procedures, and escalation pathways.
• Translate ambiguous needs into practical options, recommendations, and measurable outcomes; prepare business cases and leadership briefings.
• Use quantitative and qualitative data to inform portfolio-level decisions and align stakeholders across units.

Skills

Systems thinking

Cross-functional leadership

Process improvement

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, operations management, business or related field

Job description

Purdue University College of Engineering-Office of Academic Affairs seeks a senior Lead to shape research infrastructure strategy and operations. You will translate complex needs into practical solutions, collaborating with university leaders, faculty, and facilities teams to enable discovery and innovation.

The role focuses on governance, service models, and portfolio-level decision support, emphasizing analytical insight and strategic influence without direct supervision.