Position Information
Posting Number SF02151 Job Title Director of Operations, Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI) Position Number 109871 FTE 1.00 FLSA Exempt Position Type Professional Staff Union Non-Union Non-Classified Staff Pay Grade Level Grade Level: 15 Pay Grade Range Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $135,000 - $155,000 Status Calendar Year, Full-time, Limited
Department Information
Department GSO Research Contact(s)
Please note: Job applications must be submitted directly online only at: (https://jobs.uri.edu)
Contact Phone/Extension Contact Email Physical Demands Campus Location Narragansett Bay Campus Grant Funded Yes Extension Contingency Notes
This is a full time, calendar year position limited to 06/26/2027 with anticipated renewal.
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Job Description Summary
The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by July 6, 2026. Applications received after July 6, 2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.
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About URI:
The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State's flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, and the Bay Campus is located in Narragansett. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston and New York City.
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POSTING SUMMARY:
Oversee daily operations of the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI). Chair the OECI Council of Fellows and assist with developing and executing the vision of the Principal Investigators. Coordinate the development of operational plans and timelines that are supported by the OECI affiliates. Be responsible for the development and implementation of plans and timelines for both external and internal OECI initiatives. Supervise the URI OECI staff, provide work priorities, and lead all personnel actions.
Duties and Responsibilities
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Oversee daily operations of the OECI.
Assist the Director and Principal Investigators (PI) with requirements to achieve their respective and shared visions. Work with the Director to ensure vision integration for the OECI.
Chair the Council of Fellows to communicate the respective PI's vision and establish executable plans and timelines for each annual research plan.
Enforce plans and timelines internally and with affiliated institutions.
Liaise with sponsor organizations and staff to enable co-development of project concepts and plans.
Develop and coordinate work priorities for the OECI staff.
Lead personnel actions as required.
Temporarily fill the Director role as needed.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform additional duties as required.
LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:
Personal computers, printers; Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Adobe Acrobat.
Required Qualifications
REQUIRED:
Master's degree.
Minimum ten years of maritime focused work experience in positions of increasing responsibilities.
Demonstrated leadership in complex organizations.
Demonstrated experience with project and personnel management.
Demonstrated experience in budget preparation and execution.
Demonstrated ability to navigate and provide support in a complex administrative organization.
Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.
Demonstrated collaboration and team building skills.
Demonstrated organizational skills.
Demonstrated strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.
Preferred Qualifications
PREFERRED:
Master's degree in ocean science or related field with ten years of maritime-focused work experience, or PhD in ocean science or related field with seven years of maritime-focused work experience.
Demonstrated experience working at or with NOAA.
Demonstrated proposal writing and award management experience.
Demonstrated experience operating or managing Uncrewed Systems.
Demonstrated experience leading seagoing projects.
Willingness to spend up to a month at a time at sea or ship-based work.
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EEO Statement:
URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state's public flagship university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts. All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the URI benefits office at 401-874-2416. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.
Environmental Conditions
This position requires travel and possible time at sea. Travel is anticipated to be between 45 and 60 days a year.
Posting Date 06/23/2026 Closing Date Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach the following 2 (PDF) documents to your online Employment Application:
(#1) Cover letter.
(#2) Resume.
NOTE: References will be upon request by the search committee.
Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/16719