Colorado School Of Mines Hiring for Operations Manager – Labriola Innovation Hub at Golden, CO  Full Time

Engineering a world of possibilities

The Labriola Innovation Hub at Colorado School of Mines is hiring for an Operations Manager for their Makerspace to lead day-to-day building and makerspace operations for the Labriola Innovation Complex.

The Operations Manager (OM) provides management-level operational oversight and direction in support of the mission of Colorado School of Mines. Reporting to the Labriola Innovation Hub Director, the OM will work in conjunction with the Director in planning, coordinating, implementing, and assessing strategic objectives to achieve the goals of the Director in supporting student learning and use. The OM is responsible for operations including but not limited to: (a) makerspace management, material acquisition and storage, and machine maintenance; (b) ensuring efficient building operations for students and faculty including hiring and training student staff, supervising project storage, and student design team safe usage; (c) developing and managing student user training, development of machine usage and tracking systems; and (d) supporting the Director in fundraising efforts, events, and promotion of the Labriola Innovation Hub. This position will supervise student staff for the 2D/3D print shop, tool checkout desk, composites, electronics, and build spaces. This position may also provide supervision of other support staff in the Labriola Innovation Hub.

Innovation Hub Makerspace Management (70% – essential) Provide oversight and coordination of building and makerspace operations and administrative functions. Collaborate with the Director with strategic planning as well as provide operational oversight, departmental management, and executive administration to the Director. Essential functions include:

• Manage the Innovation Hub makerspace and administrative functions. Create and implement building safety policies and procedures. Create and implement makerspace machine training in collaboration with Director, shop manager, and student staff. Coordinate implementation of Canvas instructional modules and track student participation.
• Recommend decisions to the Director with regards to purchasing, human resources, facilities, EHS, and other administrative departments on campus. Demonstrate knowledge of HR policies and procedures to ensure that student and employee contracts are accurately prepared and submitted in a timely fashion.
• Serve as the hiring manager for the building to coordinate searches for full-time and student staff for the department. Coordinate onboarding of new hires and develop inclusive onboarding practices for student making facilities. Supervise 30+ student staff per year. This requires up-to-date knowledge of all HR policies and procedures. Set student staff work schedules to ensure that all making facilities are fully operational.
• Analyze Innovation Hub makerspace operational needs and make recommendations to leadership for changes in staffing, facilities, health and safety compliance, finance, technology, and administrative functions. Must have knowledge of processes related to space management and utilization on campus. Must have experience and knowledge with 3D printers, laser cutters, shop tools, and standard design software. Manage maintenance and repair for makerspace equipment or coordinate with external vendor to maintain the equipment if needed.
• Communicate updates on building activities and coordinate interdisciplinary activities with appropriate university, portfolio, and department counterparts.
• Facilities Management: Oversee administrative and renovation needs relating to teaching, office spaces, student classrooms, conference rooms, and related facilities. Develop and oversee project storage system for student teams.

Budgetary Support, Event Management, and Strategic Planning Support (30% – essential) Retain and analyze budget income and material expense histories to provide information, recommendations, and alternatives to the director for high-level, multi-year budget planning. Support the Director in fundraising efforts, events, and promotion of the Labriola Innovation Hub. Essential functions include:

• Develop annual budget requests for consumable materials and student staff that are accurate and strategic for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Evaluate business processes and operational and financial effectiveness. Develop and oversee material stock and machine usage tracking systems. May lead process improvement activities for the Innovation Hub.
• Apply specialized knowledge of department and university metrics and reporting systems, provide analysis and data trends to the Director for the development of strategic plans and preparation of annual reports.

• Analyze payroll funds, operating funds, lab fees, auxiliary funds, Foundation funds and tech fee projects. Make strategic decisions to best use available resources and request additional resources as appropriate. Maintain vendor relationships and suggest future machines and tools for the making facilities.
• Provide operational support for high level events in the Innovation Hub. Support website creation and maintenance. Support Director in promotion of Innovation Hub events, programs, and resources.

• Performs other duties as assigned

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Education, Industrial Design, Art, or related field from an accredited institution.
• 4+ years of progressive administration experience related to project and program management and operational oversight.
• 2+ years of experience with makerspace, machine shop, or fabrication shop operation and management
• Evidence of teamwork experience, educational program development, student staff management, relationship building, and partnership development.
• Experience in higher education.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated excitement and experience in managing undergraduate or graduate student workers and student team projects.
• Strong knowledge of operations and safety best practices for makerspaces, machine shops, fabrication shops, or student focused labs.
• Subject matter expertise for area(s) of responsibility.
• Working knowledge and experience with rapid prototyping equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC milling, injection molding, and wood fabrication tools.
• Experience with design for additive manufacturing.
• Experience with Canvas or other Learning Management System.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Verbally and in writing, managers skillfully communicate process and policy information to faculty, staff, and students. Managers also must be sensitive to the needs and concerns of faculty, staff, and students and other members of the University in a manner that is professional, objective, and easily understood. Solid analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• A commitment to creating inclusive and welcoming environments for student learning.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Education, STEM, Industrial Design, Art, or related field.
• 5+ years in a management position that includes supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity of perspective.
• Strong expertise in business and management computer applications and databases.
• Experience with room or machine reservation systems.
• Ability to quickly learn new software applications and rapid prototyping tools.
• Experience with welding training and equipment.
• Experience with Wordpress or other content management systems.
• Basic first aid.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 38 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2023).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a diverse and inclusive community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Equal Opportunity

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequity or concerns for safety.

Annual Rate and Benefits

$98,000 – $111,000

In addition to the amazing benefits mentioned below, Mines continues to show its dedication to its employees by offering an 11% employee contribution through our Mines Defined Contribution Plan and an incredible 12% employer contribution with immediate 100% vesting for our Administrative Faculty positions!

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the on-campus Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more), equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center, the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP), and backup child and elder care. Coming soon is an on-campus daycare center. For more information about benefits at Mines, go to .

How to Apply

Interested applicants should apply online as soon as possible. For full consideration, applications should be received by January 15, 2024. Applications will continue to be considered until the position is filled. References will be requested if your application is chosen to move forward.

Applications must include: 1) a cover letter stating area of interest, highlighting accomplishments to date and 2) curriculum vitae

Contact Dorie Gelber, Human Resources, at with any questions about this opportunity.

A Background check will be required upon offer.

Colorado’s premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting

Mines is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.