Director of Operations, Academic Affairs (1303)

Idaho State University

1d•$80,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Operations serves as the administrative and operational backbone for the Office of Academic Affairs. Reporting directly to the Provost or Vice President for Academic Affairs, this role bridges the gap between academic vision and daily execution. The Director is responsible for managing and optimizing administrative workflows, supporting the management of the academic affairs budget, coordinating faculty lifecycle processes, and ensuring that the operational infrastructure fully supports the institution's strategic academic goals. This position is not eligible for new visa sponsorship at this time. Candidates who already hold valid U.S. work authorization may be considered.

Requirements

Master’s degree, or Bachelor’s degree and 5 years relevant experience.
A minimum of 5 years of progressive administrative and operational experience.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to navigate complex organizational structures and build consensus among diverse stakeholders (faculty, staff, and administration).
Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets, financial forecasting, and resource allocation.
An ability to learn higher education enterprise systems (e.g., Banner, Workday, PeopleSoft) and apply data insights to relevant issues.
Advanced data/information management skills.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration (MBA), Public Administration, or a closely related field.
Three years of relevant experience in a higher education setting.
Prior experience working directly within a Provost's or Dean's office.
Project Management Professional (PMP) or similar relevant certification or education.

Responsibilities

Design, implement and manage efficient administrative procedures across Academic Affairs to improve service delivery, ensure deadlines are met, and increase efficiency.
Serve as the primary liaison between Academic Affairs and key operational departments (Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, and Facilities).
Manage the day-to-day operations of the Provost’s office, including supervising administrative support staff.
Establish and oversee a standardized executive‑level reporting system.
Act as a project manager for high-priority initiatives originating from the Provost’s office (e.g., accreditation reviews, strategic plan rollouts, SBOE initiatives, etc).
Track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to academic operations and strategic plan milestones.
Support the execution of key academic events.
Coordinate and designate proxies to represent the Provost in meetings and project discussions.
Prepare reports and relevant materials in support of executive-level decision-making.
Collaborate with Institutional Research to gather, analyze, and present data related to faculty workload, course enrollment trends, and space utilization.
Ensure academic operations comply with institutional policies, state/federal regulations, and accreditation standards.
Draft, review, and update standard operating procedures and academic policy manuals.
Coordinate with respective parties to establish and manage the annual budget planning process for the Office of Academic Affairs and its reporting units (colleges, library, etc.).
Monitor expenditures, forecast academic resource needs, and provide regular financial health reports to the Provost.
Evaluate and approve operational expenses, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and strategic priorities.
Assist in the financial modeling for new academic programs, grants, and strategic initiatives.