Program Operations Manager

About the role

The Program Operations Manager is responsible for creating the operational infrastructure necessary to support the growth and long-term sustainability of the Leadership Institute, Center for Family Business, and Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition. The position enables Center leadership to focus on external engagement, partnership development, fundraising, and strategic growth by ensuring programs, systems, communications, and operational processes are executed effectively and consistently.

Responsibilities

• Lead program operations and delivery. Manage the planning, coordination, execution, and evaluation of programs, events, workshops, forums, speaker series, advisory board meetings, and stakeholder engagements across multiple centers of excellence.

• Create capacity for center leadership. Create operational capacity for executive directors and center leaders by managing administrative processes, stakeholder communications, scheduling, reporting, participant records, follow-up activities, and other operational functions necessary for effective center management.

• Build systems and improve processes. Develop, implement, and maintain standardized operating procedures, templates, workflows, reporting tools, databases, and knowledge management resources that improve consistency and effectiveness across centers.

• Career Development. Coordinate center communications and marketing activities in collaboration with Weatherhead marketing resources. Maintain websites, participant communications, stakeholder databases, marketing materials, and social media content as appropriate.

• Manage financial and administrative operations. Manage operational financial processes including purchasing, invoicing, budget tracking, expense reconciliation, reporting, and financial record maintenance.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of projects and drive work to completion with limited direction.

• Strong organizational, prioritization, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities simultaneously.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and professional presence with the ability to build productive relationships with executives, faculty, sponsors, donors, community leaders, participants, and students.

• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism while handling confidential or sensitive information.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively across diverse audiences and stakeholder groups.

• Proven ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as a collaborative member of a team.

• Demonstrated adaptability and comfort working in environments characterized by ambiguity, change, and evolving priorities.

• Experience managing multiple priorities simultaneously, coordinating complex activities, and exercising independent judgment strongly preferred.

• Experience working directly with external stakeholders, sponsors, customers, executives, or community partners preferred.

• Experience identifying process improvements, implementing new systems, or improving operational effectiveness preferred.

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and collaboration technologies, including advanced experience with Excel, reporting tools, and presentation development.

• Ability and willingness to learn, adopt, and effectively utilize emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence tools, to improve operational effectiveness and productivity.

• Demonstrated commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and stakeholder experiences.

• Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.

Qualifications

• High school education and 5 years of work experience OR Bachelor's degree and 1 year of work experience in program management, event management, operations, hospitality management, customer service, nonprofit administration, higher education administration, project coordination, or a related field.

Skills

• Strong organizational, prioritization, and project management skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and professional presence.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Proven ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as a collaborative member of a team.

• Adaptability and comfort working in environments characterized by ambiguity, change, and evolving priorities.

• Experience managing multiple priorities simultaneously, coordinating complex activities, and exercising independent judgment.

• Experience working directly with external stakeholders, sponsors, customers, executives, or community partners.

• Experience identifying process improvements, implementing new systems, or improving operational effectiveness.

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and collaboration technologies.

• Ability and willingness to learn, adopt, and effectively utilize emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence tools.

• Demonstrated commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and stakeholder experiences.

Benefits

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Pay

The starting wage rate is $20.68 per hour, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Schedule

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department.