Director for Academic Operations & Planning

UMass Boston•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Director for Academic Operations & Planning provides high-level coordination, analysis, and operational leadership across the College’s academic functions. Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean, the Director ensures that core academic processes—including scheduling, curriculum operations, faculty development support, and data-informed planning—run smoothly, accurately, and in alignment with college and university policies. The position bridges operations, data analysis, and strategic planning support, serving as a central hub for information flow, workflow tracking, and continuous improvement across academic units. The Director designs and maintains systems that create consistency, reduce operational friction, and enhance decision-making. The role requires strong communication skills, independent judgment, project management expertise, and a collaborative, service-oriented mindset.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of relevant experience in higher education administration, academic operations, or project management.
Strong organizational and analytical skills, with attention to detail.
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and administrators.
Ability to maintain a high degree of discretion and confidentiality.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Familiarity with data systems or reporting tools, such as Power BI or Tableau.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in education, higher education administration, or a related field.
Experience with faculty affairs, academic scheduling, or research administration.
Knowledge of university-level data systems, accreditation, assessment, and student success frameworks.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate course scheduling and related communications, from information collection through data entry and management.
Oversee administrative aspects of implementing the academic curriculum, including scheduling and room assignments.
Serve as the primary scheduler for the College’s Health and Interdisciplinary courses.
Ensure teaching evaluations are implemented, collected, stored, and disseminated appropriately.
Coordinate logistics, timelines, and communications related to course evaluations, faculty assignments, and semester scheduling with departments and the Senior Associate Dean.
Monitor academic operations for accuracy and alignment with university academic policies, collaborating with academic leaders and the Registrar’s Office to maintain compliance.
Lead, plan, evaluate, and refine systems and operations to improve scheduling, evaluation, and related areas.
Implement academic projects under the direction of the Senior Associate Dean using efficient and accurate methods.
Track project plans, deliverables, timelines, risks, and outcomes.
Develop and maintain tracking systems for academic workflows, strategic initiatives, and continuous-improvement efforts.
Identify opportunities to streamline and modernize operations and develop best practices and workflow improvements with college leaders.
Use academic dashboards and databases to prepare reports and conduct data analysis.
Interpret data and make evidence-based recommendations to support decision-making.
Prepare reports and data summaries under the direction of the Associate Deans.
Support data collection and reporting related to college-wide strategic initiatives.
Organize faculty development programs under the direction of the Associate Deans.
Track faculty development activities, participation, outcomes, and follow-up.
Maintain tracking systems for faculty affairs and major personnel actions.
Identify opportunities to integrate research, teaching, and professional development initiatives.
Coordinate college-wide and executive leadership events with Associate Deans and staff, including planning, scheduling, materials, communications, and follow-up.
Develop and distribute College communications, including newsletters, announcements, and social media content highlighting academic, research, and student success initiatives.
Draft correspondence, memos, and reports for the Dean’s Office in collaboration with College leadership.
Assist in creating and delivering communications that advance the College’s mission.
Foster collaboration, efficiency, and continuous improvement across College operations.
Partner with the Senior Associate Dean, Department Chairs, Program Directors, and administrative units to ensure operational consistency.
Maintain strong working relationships across the College and university.
Manage sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
Perform other duties as assigned, particularly those that enhance collaboration and the College’s mission.