Operations Lead

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

5d

About The Position

The Operations Lead will oversee successful operations across all Center for Software Innovation (CSI) and student innovation–related initiatives. The goal of CSI is to empower student innovation and cultivate a strong, growing community of builders. This role is central to building a strong, durable organization that is prepared to address both current and future opportunities for student innovation at scale. Serving as the operational backbone of the organization, the Operations Lead ensures that CSI’s ambitious vision translates into measurable results. Acting as a strategic partner to the Executive Director, this role designs systems, drives execution, and enables a culture of operational excellence across all initiatives. The Operations Lead provides comprehensive oversight of projects across student innovation initiatives, including Learning to Career, Entrepreneurship, and Community. This role ensures initiatives remain on track for timely delivery and meet stated goals and metrics. As needed, the Operations Lead will step into individual projects to support execution and ensure successful, on-time delivery. This role is responsible for developing and managing the foundations of operational excellence, including creating templates for playbooks; organizing, storing, and tracking information and data; running regular strategic planning processes; and thoughtfully leveraging technology to enable smooth and effective operations. The Operations Lead works closely with Human Resources, Finance, and relevant hiring managers to support seamless position management. This role also develops and manages a strong, experience-focused onboarding, orientation, and training process for all CSI hires, including staff, fellows, and students. Additionally, the Operations Lead leads membership management, engagement, and communications for all CSI-related councils and ensures the CSI website remains current. The role is responsible for producing consistent, engaging reporting for leadership, councils, cross-functional partners, and other stakeholders as determined. In partnership with Finance and the Executive Director, this role oversees and ensures that budgets and forecasts are up to date and forward-looking with respect to funding needs. The Operations Lead also creates, when applicable, and maintains relevant contracts, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), and other agreements. This role is critical to the effectiveness of CSI and is well suited for someone who can bring structure to ambiguity, work effectively through change, and demonstrate a strong track record of creating positive impact through operational excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 6 years of relevant experience required
• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of six years of relevant work experience in operations or project management roles
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and experience working with leadership and executives
• Demonstrated ability to quickly, accurately, and effectively organize large amounts of information into formats suitable for their intended purpose
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong project management, slide deck creation, spreadsheet, and related operational skills
• Ability to implement new tools and technology
• Ability to measure, track, and clearly articulate metrics and results
• Willingness to complete some travel and work evenings and weekends as needed
• Successful completion of a criminal background check is required

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree with 8–12 years of relevant work experience
• Prior experience in academia or non-profit organizations

Responsibilities

• Oversee successful operations across all Center for Software Innovation (CSI) and student innovation–related initiatives.
• Design systems, drive execution, and enable a culture of operational excellence across all initiatives.
• Provide comprehensive oversight of projects across student innovation initiatives, including Learning to Career, Entrepreneurship, and Community.
• Develop and manage the foundations of operational excellence, including creating templates for playbooks; organizing, storing, and tracking information and data; running regular strategic planning processes; and thoughtfully leveraging technology to enable smooth and effective operations.
• Support seamless position management.
• Develop and manage a strong, experience-focused onboarding, orientation, and training process for all CSI hires, including staff, fellows, and students.
• Lead membership management, engagement, and communications for all CSI-related councils and ensures the CSI website remains current.
• Produce consistent, engaging reporting for leadership, councils, cross-functional partners, and other stakeholders as determined.
• Oversee and ensures that budgets and forecasts are up to date and forward-looking with respect to funding needs.
• Create, when applicable, and maintain relevant contracts, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), and other agreements.

Benefits

• Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level