"Director, Advanced Research Computing Center, Office of Research"

About the Office of Research

The Office of Research's Research Platforms and Insights (RPI) department is committed to improving process efficiency and preparing the Office of Research and the UC research enterprise for future growth.

Job Overview

The Research Platforms and Insights department is seeking to hire a Director, Advanced Research Computing Center. This position will provide administrative and operational leadership for the Advanced Research Computing Center. It will also be responsible for managing the service center’s budget, overseeing service delivery, coordinating project execution, and ensuring compliance with institutional and regulatory standards. The Director will work closely with internal stakeholders to support research computing needs and maintain efficient, sustainable operations. This position is an on-site position with the potential to transition to a hybrid work arrangement upon successful completion of training.

Essential Functions

• Develop, approve, and implement policies and procedures that support ARCC operations. Ensure alignment with university standards and contribute to continuous improvement in service delivery.
• Lead budget planning and financial oversight for ARCC, including cost structure for service center services. Create procedures for service center. Manage service center.
• Manage operational projects and service center activities for the ARC. Develop a team to support the evolving needs of researchers. Ensure timely execution and high-quality support across computing services.
• Develop and lead ARCC outreach and communications including training programs, events, and website management in close collaboration with the Faculty Director. The Faculty Director serves as the primary university-level representative for ARC, while the Operations Director supports this role by translating strategic guidance into actionable outreach and development initiatives.
• Monitor resource utilization and refine operational procedures to ensure long-term sustainability. Drive efficiency and innovation in service center operations.
• Prepare reports, interpret data, and write proposals. Ensure all ARCC services comply with university, state, and federal regulations.
• May provide direct and/or indirect supervision to exempt and non-exempt staff (i.e., hiring/firing, performance evaluations, disciplinary action, approve time off, etc.).
• Perform related duties based on departmental need. This job description can be changed at any time.

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree in relevant fields such as information technology, computer science, engineering, or research administration.

Required Experience

• Seven (7) years of experience in research operations, computing services, or administrative leadership within higher education or a research-intensive environment.
• Three (3) years of experience managing budgets.
• Three (3) years supervisory experience leading teams and implementing institutional policies.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Additional Qualifications Considered

• Advanced Degree: Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., computational science, engineering, data science)
• Research Computing Expertise: Experience with high-performance computing (HPC), data management, and secure storage systems
• Compliance Knowledge: Familiarity with federal and institutional compliance standards
• Experience managing change and applying innovative solutions in complex environments
• Demonstrated success in collaborating with faculty, administrators, and external partners to support research initiatives
• Experience with academic researchers.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

Office environment/no specific unusual physical or environmental demands.

Application Process Information

A resume and cover letter are required as part of the application process. Attach these documents before submitting your application.

Compensation and Benefits

UC offers an exceptional benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and work-life balance. Highlights include:

• Comprehensive Tuition Remission: UC provides tuition remission for you and your eligible dependents, covering tuition costs for nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university.
• Robust Retirement Plans: As a UC employee, you won’t contribute to Social Security (except Medicare). Instead, you’ll choose between state pension plans (OPERS, STRS) or an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP), with UC contributing 14–18% of your salary based on position.
• Real Work-Life Balance: UC prioritizes work-life balance with a generous time-off policy, including: Vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays and additional end-of-year paid time off (Winter Season Days), 6 weeks of paid parental leave for new parents
• Additional Benefits Include: Competitive salary based on experience, Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription), Flexible spending accounts & wellness programs, Professional development & mentorship opportunities