Manager of Instructional Operations

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Chemistry is hiring a Manager of Instructional Operations to provide operational leadership for undergraduate instructional laboratories and related lecture support. Reporting to the Director of Instructional Services, the manager coordinates instructional staffing, course logistics, budgets, facilities, equipment, and operational processes to support efficient, high-quality instruction. The role is a regular, full-time, 100% FTE, in-person position at the Seattle campus. The manager directly supervises eight Scientific Instructional Technicians and coordinates work assignments and operational support for undergraduate assistants and lab helpers. The department serves approximately 800 undergraduate majors, delivers more than 70,000 student credit hours annually, and awards more than 400 undergraduate degrees in chemistry and biochemistry each year. Occasional work outside typical business hours may be required to meet deadlines or support special events. Work may involve instructional laboratories or related teaching spaces and requires adherence to applicable safety procedures.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a closely related field and two years of experience in a higher education instructional, laboratory, academic program management, or related setting. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except where legal requirements apply.
Experience coordinating complex instructional, operational, or academic program processes involving multiple stakeholders and competing deadlines.
Ability to supervise, train, organize, and evaluate staff or instructional support personnel.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and apply relevant policies, procedures, and compliance requirements, including FERPA.
Must be able to obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid certification, with recertification as required.

Nice To Haves

M.S. degree in chemistry or a closely related field.
Thorough understanding of undergraduate science education, particularly laboratory instruction and high-enrollment lecture/laboratory course operations.
Experience with chemistry or comparable laboratory-based instructional programs and familiarity with safe handling of hazardous chemicals.
Ability to anticipate, identify, and solve operational problems independently and collaboratively.
Ability to perform tasks with precision, accuracy, and meticulous attention to detail in a busy instructional environment.
Strong collaborative skills to work effectively with faculty, staff, graduate students, teaching assistants, undergraduate students, campus offices, and external partners.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex policies and operational decisions clearly and professionally.
Demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service, inclusive communication, and respectful interaction with diverse groups.
Experience with standard office software, especially Word, Excel, and Access; familiarity with UW systems and courseware designed for academic instruction is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

Supervise eight Scientific Instructional Technicians, including assigning work, providing training, approving schedules and leave, managing performance, resolving workplace issues, coordinating recruitment and onboarding, and supporting teaching assistant training and staffing updates.
Manage daily undergraduate lecture and laboratory operations, including scheduling, demonstrations, course logistics, instructional technology staffing, troubleshooting, student access, equipment, faculty support, and process improvements.
Oversee instructional support budgets, course and laboratory fees, purchasing, expenditure tracking, and allocation of supplies, equipment, and staffing resources.
Coordinate classroom and laboratory readiness, teaching equipment, course materials, instructional technology, space needs, and support for high-enrollment and multi-section courses with campus and departmental partners.
Coordinate work assignments and operational support for undergraduate assistants and lab helpers.
Perform other duties requested by the Director of Instructional Services, Department Administrator, or faculty leadership.