CASTL Director of Operations

UVA Health

12d•$90,000 - $112,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL), within the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development seeks applicants for a full-time Director of Operations. Founded in 2006, CASTL is an interdisciplinary research center within the University of Virginia’s School of Education & Human Development (EHD) that aims to advance the quality of teaching and learning in education settings. Our research initiatives span the globe, and our faculty are leading the way to promote meaningful, evidence-informed changes in education through partnerships with practitioners and policymakers. We believe effective teaching and learning are the foundation for opportunity, success and well-being. Our mission is to advance the quality and impact of teaching through scientific study in educational settings from infancy to higher education. CASTL is currently the largest research center in EHD with annual operating sources of approximately $40 million for Fiscal Year 2026. CASTL includes over 200 total faculty and staff, including 22 affiliated faculty, all of whom are highly productive scholars with diverse areas of expertise. The incumbent will manage the day-to-day operations of CASTL, including people operations, space and facilities, internal communications, technology resource allocation, and all other general office operations. This individual will also work closely with CASTL’s Director, EHD’s Office of Research Administration, and the Dean’s Office finance and budget leaders to ensure successful operation of the Center’s diverse and growing research portfolio, in alignment with the Center’s strategic plans.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
Four years of increasingly responsible management and administrative responsibility is required.
Two years of supervisory experience is required.
Relevant exempt level experience may substitute for a degree.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a manager of a research center/unit in a higher education setting or not for profit organization.
8+ years of relevant, increasingly responsible experience.
Experience with human resource management in a complex, multi-source funded organization.
Experience in research administration, including pre- and/or post-award support.
Experience creating and fostering interdisciplinary community engagement.
Familiarity with software platforms such as Workday, Microsoft 365, Airtable, OneDrive, and Zoom.

Responsibilities

In cooperation with EHD’s HR Business Partner, primary recruiting contacts, hiring managers, other HR staff, and research administration staff, coordinate recruitment, staffing, position control, total compensation, training, employee relations, and organizational development for the Center.
Collaborate closely with Office of Research Administration staff to manage CASTL’s extensive research portfolio, which includes helping to organize and execute research budgets. Maintain knowledge of University budgetary and financial policy and procedure and ensure its implementation. Develop Center procedures to ensure communication of information, data analysis and its use in budget decisions and spending, and compliance on processes. This includes processes such monitoring expenditures and approving financial actions for the Center within Workday.
Oversee and coordinate day-to-day Center administrative operations. Develop, interpret and implement administrative and business policies and procedures in coordination with Dean's Office Directors to ensure use of best practices and optimization of service to CASTL faculty and staff.
Serve as a representative of the Center and the Director school-wide.
Oversee and direct all aspects of facilities management in coordination with the Director and appropriate school-level staff to include space management, staff/faculty space assignments, key control, moving furniture/equipment, and other related tasks.
Oversee 2-3 FTE of fiscal support staff, coordinating all accounts payable, procurement, and Travel and Expense Card activities in the Center.
Works with the EHD Educational Technologies Office (ETO) to coordinate the information technology needs of the Center. This includes ordering/replacing technology equipment, and keeping an inventory of the Center’s technology assets.
Plan and execute CASTL-wide events including PI meetings, Work in Progress meetings, holiday events, and other events, as necessary.
Produces regular internal communications to facilitate shared learnings and sense of community, as well as collaborates with the Director to produce an annual report of Center activity and accomplishments.
In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.