The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks a visionary leader for the Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI), a collaborative venture of UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University, and North Carolina State University. RENCI uses interdisciplinary teamwork, advanced information technologies and domain expertise to advance the frontiers of knowledge, address real-world problems, create economic opportunity, and improve the quality of life for people in North Carolina. RENCI provides an environment conducive to aiding partner groups in solving major research questions and addressing community needs. Working with partner institutions and constituents, the Director will pursue a collaborative vision that ensures RENCI’s relevance and responsiveness in a rapidly changing environment. As an advocate for innovation, the Director will speak persuasively to diverse groups about the role of advanced information technologies in research, education, and public service. They will partner with institutions, communities, businesses, and governments to solve problems of strategic importance. The Director will have the technical knowledge, broad experience, organizational skills and professional stature to support top-performing teams working in areas such as high-performance computing, visualization, collaborative tools, networking, software development, and data systems. The Director will develop new sources of funding and spearhead new areas of endeavor with an entrepreneurial ethos and with commitment to interdisciplinary problem solving. Specifically, the Director will: develop strategies and establish priorities necessary to advance RENCI’s mission; coordinate RENCI activities involving faculty members, students, and staff from three major research universities as well as participants in network sites across the state; develop strategic relationships with leaders in research, education, government, and business to further the RENCI mission; work with state leaders, UNC General Administration, and others to identify and address high-priority needs of the state; communicate the value of RENCI’s activities to audiences in North Carolina and across the nation; lead a dynamic staff of about 100; oversee an operation with almost 20 million in annual budget; seek and develop new sources of funding; and work with university technology-transfer specialists to extend useful innovations into the marketplace.
The Ideal candidate will have demonstrated at least 8-10 years of outstanding intellectual leadership; an appreciation and understanding of a breadth of disciplines; a record of exemplary leadership experience in an organization engaged in research and development; extensive knowledge of higher education and a commitment to the values of research, education, and service; rich experience in employing advanced information technologies to collaborate across disciplines and geographies to produce research outcomes; extensive experience leading interdisciplinary projects or complex collaborations; an extensive record of successful management, including oversight of budgets, personnel, and other organizational matters; excellent communication skills; and excellent interpersonal skills.
This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.
