Associate Director, Strategy and Operations

University of Texas at Austin • Austin, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director is a senior leadership role providing human resources, financial, and operational oversight to ensure the long-term success of the Clements Center at The University of Texas at Austin. Reporting to the Executive Director and Senior Associate Director, the role serves as a strategic advisor to Center leadership, aligning resources with priorities and supporting high-level decision-making, with a focus on coordination and oversight rather than day-to-day execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of progressively responsible experience in administration, operations, strategy, or organizational leadership.
• Demonstrated experience supporting senior leadership and contributing to executive-level decision-making.
• Experience supervising staff and coordinating work across functional areas.
• Experience with budget planning and resource allocation.
• Working knowledge of human resources practices, including recruitment, performance management, and staff development.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and handle sensitive matters with discretion.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience in a higher education or similarly complex environment.
• Experience serving in a senior advisor or comparable coordination role.
• Experience supporting boards, advisory councils, or senior leadership committees.
• Experience with organizational improvement, process development, or change management.

Responsibilities

• Consistent with the vision and guidance of the Executive Director, synchronizes financial and human resources with the operations of the Center in a manner consistent with university and system policies and legislation.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director and Associate Director, ensuring alignment of financial, human, and operational resources with Center priorities.
• Anticipates and responds to the mid- and long-term support requirements of the Student Programs, Military Programs, Events, and Academic Affairs Teams.
• Support leadership in making informed decisions by organizing relevant data, providing strategic perspective, and monitoring progress on priority initiatives.
• Represent Center leadership in select internal and external meetings to ensure continuity, follow-through, and alignment with institutional objectives.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional initiatives designed to enhance organizational performance and programmatic impact.
• Coordinates the Center’s weekly, monthly, and annual battle rhythms for operations, and support operations, including the foundation grant cycle.
• Supervise and coordinate a team of 4-8 professional, specialist staff members within the Center’s front office who conduct the routine financial and human resource activities of the center.
• Provide high-level oversight of Center operations, ensuring systems, workflows, and policies support long-term strategic goals.
• Partner with leadership and staff to allocate resources effectively and improve operational efficiency across units.
• Oversee financial planning in collaboration with leadership, with transactional execution managed by the Assistant Director for Business and Finance.
• Anticipate staffing needs to minimize disruption to programming; lead the full talent lifecycle including job design, recruitment, selection, and onboarding.
• Establish and oversee an annual cycle of human-resource activities, including performance evaluations, compensation adjustments, promotions, and professional development.
• Coordinates with the Office of the Provost all annual evaluation requirements for Center faculty.
• Identify and implement organizational improvements to strengthen institutional capacity and effectiveness.
• Support leadership in talent development and succession planning to ensure staff alignment with strategic priorities.
• Serve as a confidential sounding board for leadership, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth across the organization.
• Coordinate oversight and stewardship of Center office space and high-value physical assets.
• Coordinate all IT support required by the Center.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with university leadership, faculty, military fellows, policymakers, and external partners.
• Coordinate high-profile engagements, partnerships, and advisory board interactions at a strategic level.
• Provide guidance and oversight related to public relations, messaging, and external communications to ensure consistency with Center goals and institutional standards.
• As necessary, temporarily assumes duties of the Executive and Senior Associate Directors.

Benefits

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive