Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives

About the role

The Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives provides strategic leadership and operational leadership for the Office of Undergraduate Programs (OUP). Serving as a key partner to the Associate Dean, this position oversees the management of the day-to-day operations, administrative processes, resource management, organizational planning, and cross‑functional initiatives that support Undergraduate Programs. The position also serves as a strategic and operational thought partner to the Associate Dean in advancing Undergraduate Programs priorities by translating strategic direction into operational plans, coordinating implementation across OUP, and collaborating in leading continuous improvement efforts that support student success and organizational effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership by coordinating planning and execution across all OUP functional areas.
• Collaborate with the Associate Dean in leading operational planning, annual work planning, and organizational coordination for Undergraduate Programs.
• Develop, oversee, and provide strategic oversight of administrative processes, operational calendars, and business workflows.
• Manage and oversee OUP budgets and operational resources in collaboration with the Associate Dean.
• Monitor operational performance and implement process improvements.
• Coordinate staffing, facilities, communications, and administrative support.
• Partner with the Associate Dean to translate strategic priorities into operational plans and coordinate implementation.
• Develop, coordinate, and lead cross‑functional projects supporting undergraduate education and college priorities.
• Track progress, identify implementation challenges, and facilitate solutions across units.
• Develop reports and dashboards to support leadership decision‑making.
• Support accreditation, assessment, and institutional planning efforts.
• Build collaborative partnerships with faculty, staff, and campus partners.
• Represent OUP on college and campus committees.
• Facilitate communication and coordination across Undergraduate Programs.
• Support change management and continuous improvement.
• Supervise assigned staff.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Comparable combinations of education and progressively responsible, relevant experience will be considered.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in higher education or a comparable organization.
• Experience leading operations, projects, or administrative functions.
• Experience coordinating projects, operations, or administrative functions across multiple stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education administration or related discipline.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
• Experience managing operations, budgets, and/or business processes in a higher education or similarly complex environment.
• Experience leading cross‑functional initiatives and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with University of Illinois systems and policies.

Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively with others and the ability to build relationships and represent senior leadership effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and coordinate work across multiple teams and stakeholders without direct supervisory authority.
• Ability to make sound decisions using good judgment, critical thinking, and creative problem‑solving.
• Exceptional organizational, project management, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Pay

The budgeted salary range for this position is $95,000 to $100,000 annually.

Schedule

This is a 100% full‑time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12‑month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the search close date.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents