Date: Dec 7, 2022
Location: Saudi Arabia
Company: King Abdullah University of Science & Technology
The Plant Growth Core Lab Director manages and develops the associated
facilities (Greenhouse, Growth Chambers, and Field Station) in line with the
research mission and objectives of KAUST. The person leads and motivates a
dedicated team and establishes strong working relationships with stakeholders
to ensure that the Plant Growth Facilities, and associated staff, deliver
outstanding services, quality and outputs that meet the research needs and
global ambitions of KAUST.
Job Purpose
Major Accountabilities
- Develop strategic and operational plans of the facility through working with key stakeholders to ensure the facility meets KAUST research needs and stay at the forefront of the technology.
- Develop and leverage effective user engagement across the faculty User Committees, extended faculty, and other key stakeholders to ensure the provided service and quality of service meet the requirement of users.
- Provides guidance, direction, and support to staff and users of facilities, to include assistance with project allocation, resource allocation and provisions of other support.
- Establish and communicate key performance indicators in the key areas of: safety, services, operations, budgeting, asset management, staff performance and development.
- Drive effective corrective and preventative maintenance strategies, including staff training, vendor management, and partnering with the KAUST maintenance teams.
- Foster strong quality culture and management practices including the establishment of quality targets that are communicated, understood and periodically monitored.
- Foster a culture of excellence that brings a strong team spirit, engagement, proactivity and responsiveness to users and other key stakeholders.
- Ensure suitable user policies and procedures are in place aimed at ensuring safe, efficient, fair and compliant use of resources.
- Undertake periodic reviews and assessments of performances and needs by engaging with users and conducting benchmarking with global peer entities.
Person Requirements
Competencies
- Solid theoretical background and expertise in plant science, agriculture and related field
- Good knowledge of technologies and instrumentation in the field and good understanding of their development trend
- Ability to understand and translate researcher needs into purposeful plans
- Strong strategic, operational planning and decision-making capacities
- Proven ability to manage financial and capital resources
- Capability of leading, empowering and developing high performing staff and teams
- Excellent communicator with maturity to interact well with all levels
- Good skills at developing and maintaining cross functional relationships
Qualifications
- Ph. D preferred in Plant or Horticultural Science or other relevant disciplines; bachelor and master's degree holders with demonstrated required expertise will also be considered.
- More than 5 years' experience leading or managing such facilities.