Center for Space and Atmospheric Research (CSAR) Administrative Operations Lead, Daytona Beach Campus

The Opportunity

The Center for Space and Atmospheric Research (CSAR) at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Daytona Beach Campus invites applications for the position of Administrative Operations Lead. This position serves as the central operational coordinator for CSAR research activities across all ERAU campuses. This role provides high-level administrative and operational support to faculty, staff, and leadership, ensuring efficient execution of research, financial, and organizational processes. The position requires strong organizational skills, independent judgment, and the ability to manage complex workflows in a research-intensive environment.

The Center for Space and Atmospheric Research (CSAR) is one of ERAU's most active Centers of Excellence, supporting over two dozen faculty and staff across multiple campuses and managing annual research expenditures exceeding $5 million. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a globally active research enterprise, supporting projects conducted across all campuses and enabling faculty success through strong operational coordination. The role supports both routine and complex administrative functions, including research administration, budget monitoring, and coordination of center-wide activities. The Administrative Operations Lead also assists principal investigators with grant-related processes and ensures alignment with university policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary administrative liaison for CSAR, acting as the first point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.

• Support research administration activities, including proposal processing, award tracking, and data entry in Workday.

• Monitor, reconcile, and report on CSAR budgets in alignment with university financial policies.

• Coordinate procurement activities, including purchase requisitions, invoices, and procurement card reconciliation.

• Manage onboarding and offboarding processes in coordination with HR, IT, and Safety.

• Maintain and organize records, data systems, and reports, including annual reporting requirements.

• Coordinate meetings, conferences, and events, including scheduling, logistics, and documentation.

• Support CSAR leadership with preparation of presentations, reports, and shared resources.

• Manage communications, including announcements, website updates, and social media presence (LinkedIn, Facebook/Instagram).

• Coordinate logistics for visiting researchers and collaborators.

• Provide operational support for CSAR laboratories, including maintenance coordination and tours.

• Supervise student assistants and coordinate administrative support.

• Complete travel arrangements and expense reconciliation.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Embry-Riddle: Celebrating 100 Years of Leadership in Aviation and Aerospace

As Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University marks its Centennial, we proudly celebrate 100 years of advancing the future of flight and aerospace education. With vibrant residential campuses in Daytona Beach, FL, and Prescott, AZ - and a Worldwide network spanning nearly 120 global locations - Embry-Riddle stands as the world's largest aviation and aerospace university.

For a century, we have led innovation in STEM education, serving more than 30,000 students around the globe. Our cutting-edge programs in Applied Science, Aviation, Business, Technology, Engineering, Safety, Security, and Space empower the next generation of leaders to shape the future of flight, exploration, and discovery.

As we launch our next century, we remain committed to excellence, innovation, and preparing graduates who will transform industries and redefine what is possible.

Click here to take a virtual tour of the Daytona Beach Campus!

Perks Await You at Embry-Riddle!

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.
• Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26.
• Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes 6% of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution - with no vesting period.
• Personal Leave: Relax with 12 days of personal leave for non-exempt employees or 18 days for exempt full-time employees in your first year.

Required Education and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, or related field.

• Minimum of three (3) years of administrative or operations experience, preferably in a research or academic environment.

• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.

• Experience with budgeting, procurement, and financial reconciliation.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Experience with collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.

• Proficiency with Workday or similar ERP systems.

• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting research administration (pre-award and post-award).

• Familiarity with sponsored research environments and PI support.

• Experience managing websites and digital communications.

• Experience coordinating academic or research events.

• Experience supervising student assistants.

• Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Creative Suite.

• Experience with data reporting or visualization tools.

• Prior experience in a STEM or research-intensive environment.

Application process/requirements

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

To submit your application for this opportunity, please visit the Embry-Riddle Career Site and search for requisition number R311494. Please attach all relevant materials to your application when you apply online. Complete submissions include:

• Cover letter

• Resume

• Contact information for at least three professional references (please note that references may be contacted as part of the interview/screening process)

• As part of our interview process, candidates will be asked to complete a brief skills assessment. This exercise is designed to provide a practical opportunity to demonstrate your abilities relevant to the role and give us a better understanding of your approach to real-world tasks. Additional details will be shared with candidates who progress to this stage.

Current Embry-Riddle employees: Please apply directly through the ERAU Employee Hub Central application within Workday.

Embry-Riddle is committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We strive to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and provided equal opportunities for employment, advancement, compensation, training, and other benefits of employment. Embry-Riddle makes employment decisions - including hiring, promotions, compensation, and other terms of employment - based on individual merit, qualifications, and abilities. Embry Riddle is strongly opposed to discrimination and harassment, and such behavior is prohibited by university policy. Embry Riddle does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, age, religion, or pregnancy status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, in its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, or other school-administered programs or activities. For further information, please visit our website.

Embry-Riddle is not seeking assistance from staffing or recruitment agencies. All agencies are directed to contact eraujobs@erau.edu and should not reach out to hiring managers or staff.