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Position Summary:
CPES Business Director is responsible for oversight of all administrative, business, financial, personnel, and facilities activities of the Center for Power Electronics Systems ( CPES ) in the College of Engineering. He/she reports to the CPES Director, who also serves as the Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation in Energy Systems ( AVPRI -ES). CPES Director leads the CPES Executive Board (EB), which governs the complex operations of CPES , involving almost 100 international graduate students and visiting scholars, large state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, millions of dollars in research contracts, and global industry consortium of over 80 companies. AVPRI -ES is responsible for developing coordinated university strategy for research, innovation, business engagement, and education in energy systems, in collaboration with the University Leadership Team, including the President and the Vice Presidents. Operations managed by the AVPRI -ES and the CPES Director are divided between Blacksburg and the National Capital Region.
CPES Business Director is expected to provide leadership and assure effective operation of the center in all administrative and financial aspects. He/she will perform tasks, set and accomplish goals independently, on behalf of the CPES Director and EB.
This position requires a broad knowledge of the University and CPES' operations and procedures, and the ability to manage equally urgent tasks and daily operations of the center. The AVPRI -ES and the CPES EB are constantly engaged in collaborative activities with state and government agencies, universities and companies from around the world and the Business Director must communicate regularly with equivalent and/or higher-level personnel within those entities.

Required Qualifications:
- Master of Business Administration ( MBA ) degree or a combination of Bachelor of Science in business, finance, or accounting, and experience exceeding an MBA degree.
- Demonstrated comprehensive and progressing administrative and financial experience with university or industry policies, procedures, and contract research.
- Advanced computer skills and demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Cloud. Proven experience adapting to a variety of software collaboration platforms.
- Exceptional planning and organizational skills.
- Proven ability to cultivate positive working relationships, build and maintain a team-based approach, and gain the trust and respect of all levels of internal and external constituencies; comfort with ambiguity.
- Demonstrated ability to perform duties with a high level of professionalism, confidentiality, flexibility, discretion, judgment, diplomacy, and tact.
- Ability to multi-task, adapt to changing priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to maintain strict accuracy and be hyper-sensitive to details.

Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated international exposure and experience of collaborating with people and institutions from many countries with different languages and cultures.
- Proven editing and writing skills.
- Prior experience at Virginia Tech or other higher education environment.
- Prior experience of working in engineering research environment.



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