Assistant Director, Operations - Engage KY

Fixed-term position.

About the Role

The Assistant Director of Operations is a critical organizational leader who ensures EngageKY's financial health, grant compliance, and operational integrity. This role oversees the full arc of grants and contracts work in close partnership with the NKU Office of Research, Grants & Contracts (RGC) — from pre-award processes through post-award compliance and reporting — while serving as a trusted financial partner to program directors, the executive director, and EngageKY's broader team. This is a highly visible, strategic role.

The Assistant Director of Operations is a collaborative presence across the organization — meeting regularly with program directors, RGC, building financial literacy among staff, and helping EngageKY make sound, strategic decisions with its resources. The Assistant Director supervises two full-time and three part-time staff members.

EngageKY is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and solutions-oriented Assistant Director of Operations to help ensure the organization has the financial systems, resources, and operational infrastructure needed to advance its mission. This position serves as a key partner to the Executive Director and program leaders, translating financial information into clear insights and strategic decisions. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable working with budgets and spreadsheets, discussing grant finances with program staff, managing contracts, and solving operational challenges.

Responsibilities

• Lead EngageKY's organizational budgeting and financial planning, including annual budget development, spending projections, invoice management, financial reporting, and analysis.
• Oversee contracts and procurement, ensuring compliance with NKU requirements, effective management of vendors and contractors, and accurate, audit-ready records.
• Supervise various operations staff to build a collaborative team culture and sustainable systems that support EngageKY's continued growth.
• Provide leadership across the full grant lifecycle in collaboration with NKU's Office of Research, Grants & Contracts, including:
  • Identifying and assessing funding opportunities.
  • Developing grant budgets and reviewing proposals for financial accuracy.
  • Coordinating submissions and leading grant kickoffs.
  • Monitoring compliance and spending, preparing financial reports, and managing amendments and budget modifications.
  • Ensuring effective use of grant management systems.
• Work closely with program directors to identify financial trends, address challenges early, and keep grants and programs on track.

This is an opportunity to play a central role in the next chapter of EngageKY. The Assistant Director will help connect finance, grants, operations, people, and strategy—ensuring that strong stewardship and smart systems translate into greater capacity and impact for students, communities, and partners across Kentucky.

Pay

Posted salary.