Director of Business Operations and Contract Management

North Park University•Chicago, IL

19h•$90,000 - $110,000

About The Position

The Director of Business Operations and Contract Management supports the effective coordination of key administrative functions that enable the university’s academic and operational mission. Reporting to the VP for Finance and Administration/CFO, this role collaborates across divisions to strengthen coordination and administrative processes for procurement practices, contract administration, and policy governance. The Director serves as a cross-functional partner to institutional offices, including Finance, Human Resources, and Academic Affairs, helping to improve coordination, clarify processes, and promote consistent administrative practices across the institution. The position helps ensure that institutional policies, contracts, and operational procedures are organized, accessible, and aligned with university priorities and regulatory expectations. Through collaborative process improvement and operational support, the Director contributes to the university’s goals of responsible resource stewardship, institutional effectiveness, and sustainable administrative operations

Requirements

Master’s degree in business administration, organizational leadership, higher education administration, public administration, or a related field.
Progressive experience in operational leadership, administration, or institutional management.
Experience working in higher education or other complex organizational environments.
Demonstrated success building collaborative partnerships in complex organizations where influence and relationship management are critical to achieving results.
Demonstrated experience managing contracts, procurement processes, operational systems, or administrative programs.
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries and collaborate with senior leadership.
Possess a clear understanding and personal commitment to North Park University’s mission of Christian higher education.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading process improvement or organizational change initiatives preferred.

Responsibilities

Faculty Operations
Oversee operational processes for faculty hiring, onboarding, and offboarding in coordination with Human Resources and academic leadership.
Oversee administration of faculty appointment letters, workload documentation, non-instructional assignments, and related employment agreements.
Coordinate contractual processes for adjunct faculty, visiting scholars, and affiliated academic personnel.
Maintain accurate faculty rank, tenure, and other appointment data in Colleague.
Ensure accurate documentation and compliance with institutional policies governing faculty employment.
Support academic leadership in maintaining efficient and consistent processes for faculty administration.
Operational Leadership
Coordinate development, documentation, and accessibility of administrative policies to strengthen institutional policy governance.
Support the VP for Finance & Administration in providing project management on institutional projects across the campus.
Foster collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, and administrative leaders to ensure effective coordination of institutional processes.
Identify opportunities to improve institutional processes, reduce operational inefficiencies, and strengthen administrative coordination.
Map out workflows to develop consistency in processes across functions.
Consult on cross-departmental initiatives that enhance operational effectiveness and support strategic priorities.
Collaborate with Finance/Business Office, Human Resources, Legal Counsel, and Academic Affairs leadership to ensure institutional processes are aligned and well-coordinated.
Provide operational analysis and recommendations to senior leadership regarding policy development, compliance practices, and institutional administrative processes.
Promote a culture of respect, transparency, and constructive problem-solving in cross-functional initiatives.
Navigate complex organizational dynamics with sound judgment and sensitivity to institutional relationships.
Procurement and Contract Administration
Provide leadership for institutional contract administration, including review, coordination, and management of university agreements across administrative and academic units.
Support development of standardized contract review processes and maintain a centralized repository of institutional agreements.
Support development of vendor management practices in collaboration with the Finance Office.