Makerspace Facility Manager at InsideHigherEd

Job Title: Makerspace Facility Manager Location: Marietta, Georgia Regular/Temporary: Regular Full/Part Time: Full-Time Job ID: 291229 About Us Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower our 47,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come Take Flight at KSU!Location Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.Job Summary Responsible for overseeing the daily operations, personnel, budget, and strategic direction of a research core facility that provides specialized instrumentation, technical services, and expertise to support internal and external research efforts. Ensures the facility operates efficiently, maintains compliance with regulatory requirements, and supports high-impact research and innovation.Responsibilities KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: - 1. Manages day-to-day operations of the makerspace facility, including scheduling, maintenance, and troubleshooting of scientific equipment2. Provides leadership and supervision to technical staff, including training, performance evaluations, and workload assignments3. Creates, maintains, and enforces standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety protocols, and quality control measures4. Serves as the primary liaison with internal researchers, external users, and institutional stakeholders to ensure high-quality service delivery5. Coordinates procurement, inventory management, and vendor relationships for instruments, consumables, and services6. Prepares and communicates reports, usage metrics, and impact summaries for institutional reporting and grant support7. Collaborates with faculty and researchers to support grant proposals and publications that utilize core facility resources8. Implements strategies for continuous improvement, expansion of services, and technological upgrades9. Ensures compliance with all institutional, federal, and sponsor policies and regulations10. Manages facility budgeting and financial operations, including preparing and monitoring budgets, tracking expenditures, and overseeing invoicing to ensure accurate billing and cost recoveryRequired Qualifications Educational RequirementsBachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a STEM-related field.Required ExperienceFive (5) years of relevant experience in a laboratory or core facility environment in scientific instrumentation and/or facility management, including previous supervisory and/or team leadership experience.Preferred Qualifications Additional Preferred QualificationsKnowledge of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or scheduling platformsPreferred Educational QualificationsAn advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a STEM-related disciplinePreferred ExperienceExperience managing recharge and/or cost-recovery models and research budgets.Experience in prototypingExperience with utilizing and maintaining diverse fabrication and analytical instrumentationExperience with software development and codingFamiliarity with grant writing and support for extramural funding proposalsProposed Salary The midpoint of the salary range is $110,300. Offers are based on relevant experience. Comprehensive benefits to include Medical, Dental, Vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation, generous retirement plans, tuition waiver, wellness options, and much more! Visit hr.kennesaw.edu/benefits.Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities ABILITIESAble to lead and motivate staff in a collaborative team environmentAble to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlinesSKILLSExcellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management, and presentation skillsProficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)Proficiency with budgeting tools, and scientific data systemsProblem-solving aptitude and initiative for process improvementStrong attention to detail and follow up skillsStrong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquetteUSG Core Values The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.Equal Employment Opportunity Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, [email protected] Information This is a supervisory position.This position does not have any financial responsibilities.This position will not be required to drive.This role is not considered a position of trust.This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).This position may travel 1% - 24% of the timeBackground Check Standard EnhancedEducationPer the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screeningresults which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf