The Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute (SLMath) invites applications for the position of Deputy Director.

Position Overview

The Deputy Director is a key position and a close advisor to the Director, sharing in the internal management of the scientific team, its members and participants, and related programs. The incumbent in this position will be an experienced manager with a robust work history in a nonprofit and/or university setting who demonstrates the ability to strategically and successfully manage the program, with a deep understanding of the mathematical sciences. This position will successfully manage scientific programming, the on-site library, and grants and data management to ensure SLMath continues to provide high-quality scientific programs, workshops, and seminars. This role requires regular on-site attendance at our beautiful Berkeley Hills office, which offers panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay Area. 

This position is ideal for an experienced professional with a Ph.D. seeking a new opportunity to leverage their strengths in program and grant management, financial management, and people management. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, proactive, and strategic. This role partners closely with the Director and senior staff while also leading a dedicated team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Management

• In close collaboration with the Director, create, manage, and oversee current and new scientific programs and activities that can be appropriately resourced by external stakeholders, including, but not limited to, the NSF and other philanthropic partners.

• In partnership with the Associate Director of Scientific Activities, oversee the operations of scientific activities and programs, including but not limited to semester-long programming, AxIOM month long programs, graduate summer schools, research in teams, and ad hoc workshops or seminars.

• Support the recruiting and management of postdocs and members, assisting in interactions between program committees and SLMath governance committees, and working with program committees to facilitate the smooth execution of program activities.

• Manage the librarian to ensure the on-site library is appropriately resourced with research materials.

Represent the organization’s scientific programs internally and externally

• Serve as ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees. 

• Serve on the Scientific Advisory Committee

• Serve on other Board Advisory Committees.  

• Coordinate the work of the Committee of Academic Sponsors.

• Manage relations with NSF, NSA, and other federal agencies, with respect to grant development and preparation.

Grants and Data Management

• Collaborate with the Director to prepare and draft compelling federal grant applications in alignment with the Director’s vision and the Institute’s mission.

• In partnership with the Director and Grants and Data Manager, research, prepare, finalize, submit, and manage compelling federal grant applications. 

• Ensure appropriate follow-up and submission of reports or other requested materials.

Budgeting and Financial Stewardship

• Support the Director and the Director of Finance and Accounting to create and manage the annual budget, ensuring the fiscal integrity of the organization.

• Support with the monitoring, evaluation, and optimization of organizational finances, particularly as it relates to scientific programs.

• Work with the Director of Finance and Accounting to prepare draft budgets for grant proposals, tracking spending, and appropriate allocation use as appropriate.

Leadership and Management

• Serve as a key member of the senior management team.

• Provide thought partnership to the Director on a variety of cross-functional organizational matters offering data-driven and practical recommendations or solutions to complex matters.

• Cross-train staff on essential elements of this role to ensure continuity.

• Supervise, coach, and deliver constructive feedback to staff reporting to the Deputy Director, proactively supporting their development and performance. Address performance management issues promptly and strategically when necessary. 

Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

This job requires leadership, teamwork, interpersonal skills, strong attention to detail, and excellent communication skills.  The incumbent in this role must demonstrate that they can operate with the utmost discretion and integrity as they may have access to highly sensitive or confidential information in this role. The incumbent must demonstrate strong management and grant management knowledge. Strong organization skills and the ability to multitask are also key competencies. In addition, they must possess a positive and productive disposition when interacting with all members of the SLMath community (staff, members, and participants) and demonstrate a proactive and thoughtful approach in responding to members’ needs as they arise.  This position requires availability to work on some evenings and weekends during special events and Board meetings.

In addition, the Deputy Director should have a broad understanding of mathematical culture, have an established research record in the mathematical sciences, and have substantial administrative experience.

Qualifications

• The position requires a Ph.D. in Mathematical Sciences, who has stature within the mathematical community, and who has an understanding of and appreciation for a broad range of mathematical sciences and mathematical scientists

• 10+ years of progressive educational administrative or nonprofit management experience, experience with academic environments strongly desirable

• Government grant accounting and compliance experience with federal agencies, like the National Science Foundation, National Security Agency and/or an equivalent federal agency

• Extensive experience in grants management including corporate, foundations and government grants is desirable, but not required

• Proficient at multitasking, organizing, attending to detail, meeting deadlines and delegating appropriately

• Advanced computer and typing skills, including proficiency using software like Zoom, Microsoft Office 365 suite, G Suite, Smartsheet, Adobe Acrobat, and other applications. Advanced Excel and Word skills required. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Exceptional analytical skills and deep knowledge of nonprofit program management best practices

• Prior people management experience is highly desirable, but not a must

• Foreign language(s) capabilities are desirable, but not required

About SLMath

The Simons Mathematical Sciences Institute (SLMath) founded in 1982 as MSRI  is the world’s leading collaborative mathematical research institute. SLMath is an independent non-profit corporation located on the campus of the University of California at Berkeley. Its fundamental purpose is to further research in the mathematical sciences through major programs of semester workshops, post-doctoral training, summer graduate schools and research in teams. The Institute hosts an average of 80 researchers in residence at any given time and holds approximately 7 workshops per year with 60-140 participants per workshop.  SLMath also engages in outreach to other sciences, to the public, and to various efforts in education, and it is active in developing the STEM workforce.

This position is partially funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF)

Position Details

• Pay range: $225,000 to $275,000 commensurate with experience

• Status: Exempt, 40 hours per week

• Benefits: SLMath offers a competitive, robust benefits package, including full health benefits (group health, dental, and vision plans), a retirement plan, and generous time off.

• Vacation: accrue up to 120 hours (15 days) annually;

• Sick: accrue up to 96 hours per year;

• Holidays: SLMath observes 14 holidays, and is closed for a winter break between Christmas and New Year's.

• Medical coverage: SLMath currently offers 95% employer-paid medical insurance benefits to eligible employees and their spouse, registered domestic partner, and/or dependents.

• Dental and vision coverage: SLMath currently offers 100% employer-paid dental and vision insurance benefits to eligible employees.

• Location: On-site position (not remote) at Berkeley office. This position may have the possibility to work remotely up to one day per week, dependent on organizational needs.

• Timeline: Generally, this position has up to a 4-7 year appointment period, with the possibility to extend up to 4-5 years.

Applying for this position

Please apply by submitting the following items in MS Word or PDF file format, addressed to lsuliga@slmath.org. 

• A compelling one-page cover letter outlining your qualifications for this position

• Resume

• A list of publications and accomplishments