Director of Operations, Executive Office

Stony Brook University•Town of Brookhaven, NY

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Operations, Executive Office is a senior-level management position within the Office of the President, reporting to the Associate Vice President for Presidential Initiatives. The Director serves as a trusted strategic advisor and operational leader, responsible for overseeing and integrating the day-to-day operations of the Office of the President, leading high-level initiatives, and supporting the strategic execution of presidential priorities. This role ensures effective organizational flow, the timely and disciplined execution of presidential priorities, and seamless coordination among the Executive Office, Cabinet, internal stakeholders, and external partners. The Director provides high-level support in planning, communication, project management, and operational effectiveness, requiring exceptional leadership, sound judgment, and strong organizational skills. The incumbent is expected to manage complex initiatives and competing priorities with composure and precision in a fast-paced environment, supported by superior written and verbal communication abilities. The position requires high emotional intelligence and the ability to build and sustain effective relationships across diverse constituencies. Confidentiality and discretion are essential, as the Director regularly handles sensitive matters and exercises independent judgment. The incumbent must be available before or after regular business hours for critical assignments and is expected to maintain responsiveness through email and other communications outside standard business hours. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, along with a demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and the mission of higher education, are integral to success in this role.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher).
A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in operations management, executive administration, or senior-level project management.
Demonstrated experience working in higher education administration, executive offices, or environments requiring high-level discretion and independent judgment.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in Higher Education, Administration, Public Administration, Business, or a related field.
Direct experience supporting senior executives, presidents, chancellors, or governing boards.
Demonstrated management and supervisory experience.
Experience in the public sector or complex, multi-stakeholder organizations.
Advanced project management experience overseeing institution-wide initiatives.

Responsibilities

Proactively anticipate organizational needs, identify emerging issues, and develop solutions that support executive decision-making and the successful execution of strategic priorities and initiatives.
Serve as the primary project manager for the Executive Office, ensuring that all initiatives, special projects, and high-profile events are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget. Continuously assess project risks and implement mitigation strategies to support successful outcomes.
Oversee the daily operations of the Office of the President, ensuring efficiency, professionalism, responsiveness, and alignment with executive priorities.
Act as the central coordinating authority for logistical planning, workflow integration, and execution of executive office functions.
Supervise and direct office staff, student employees, and special assistants, including assigning work, setting priorities, and evaluating performance.
Manage the flow of highly sensitive and confidential information, determining which matters require direct executive attention and which may be independently resolved or delegated.
Ensure timely and accurate flow of critical information to the AVP and Chief of Staff.
Prepare and review high-level reports, executive briefs, correspondence, and summaries that inform institutional leadership and decision-making.
Establish, implement, and maintain executive office operating procedures and service standards, ensuring consistency with institutional policy and presidential expectations.
Lead and coordinate complex, cross-functional initiatives that support university-wide strategic goals, ensuring clear objectives, timelines, and outcomes.
Track and analyze progress toward strategic objectives, preparing executive-level updates, metrics, and performance analyses.
Assist with the facilitation of strategic planning and priority setting, coordinating input from senior leaders to ensure alignment and resource allocation.
Represent the Office of the President at designated meetings, committees, and events, speaking on behalf of executive leadership to ensure consistent alignment with institutional priorities and the University’s strategic plan.
Cultivate and maintain trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior administrators, faculty leadership, external partners, and governmental or community representatives.
Research and assess union-related issues or concerns brought to the President’s attention, collaborating with the Employee and Labor Relations Office to gather information, analyze implications, and support informed executive decision-making.
Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and department mission.