Managing Director, Purdue SMART USA

The Managing Director for Purdue University’s SMART USA Institute engagement is a senior administrative and strategic leader. Charged with ensuring Purdue fulfills its obligations under multiple SMART USA grants and projects, the Managing Director drives both execution and operational alignment while advancing the university’s leadership in the national semiconductor ecosystem. 

The Managing Director plays a central role in shaping direction, aligning diverse stakeholders, and ensuring that Purdue’s priorities are advanced through thoughtful planning and collaboration. This requires the ability to anticipate challenges, build consensus, and engage effectively with senior leadership, faculty, and external partners to guide complex initiatives toward long-term impact. 

The Managing Director provides the operational backbone that enables innovation and execution. This includes developing systems and processes that bring coherence across multiple projects, integrating research infrastructure and data resources, and ensuring financial and institutional accountability. Success in this role depends on balancing strategic vision with disciplined management to deliver results at scale. 

This position calls for a leader with the ability to think strategically, execute effectively, influence across levels of the institution, communicate clearly, and steward resources responsibly—providing the structure and focus necessary for Purdue’s continued success in the national semiconductor ecosystem.

At Purdue, you’ll join a community where unrivaled pride and unlimited potential are more than just words—they’re the foundation of how we work and grow, together. If you’re ready to help build a better world through research that matters, take the next step and join us on this path.

When you join Purdue University, you join a community that keeps moving forward. For more than 150 years, we’ve been known for not only our groundbreaking work in STEM research, but also for our collective imagination, ingenuity and innovation. 

Education and Experience

Qualified candidates will need:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, business administration, or a related field
• Minimum of nine years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, strategic initiatives, or large-scale program management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex federal contracts and multi-institutional partnerships. 
• Strong track record of budget management, reporting, and compliance. 
• Exceptional facilitation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills. 
• Ability to synthesize technical, financial, and strategic information into actionable plans. 

Skills:

• Strategic Thinking: Able to formulate and implement long-term, cross-functional strategies to achieve high-impact goals. 
• Innovation & Execution: Able to conceptualize and operationalize new approaches to complex problems across multiple domains. 
• Leadership & Influence: Skilled in engaging with executive leadership, facilitating compromise, and guiding teams toward consensus. 
• Communication: Strong interpersonal and writing skills to translate complex ideas across internal and external audiences. 
• Financial Acumen: Comprehensive knowledge of budget development, financial analysis, and institutional reporting. 

Nice to Have:

• Master’s degree
• Experience working with semiconductor research, advanced manufacturing, or related technology sectors

Additional Information:

• Purdue 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: Defined Contributions immediately 

Compensation Information:

Professional 5

Pay Band S085

Job Code # 20002101

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