Operations Manager - Safety Programs

Northeastern University • Boston, MA

1d

About The Position

The Operations Manager – Safety Programs plays a vital role in leading day-to-day operations, owning compliance obligations, and driving key process improvement initiatives. This position serves as the operational and organizational backbone for the Office of Academic Research Safety (OARS), managing everything from customer-facing services and co-op student programs to digital platforms and compliance systems. The ideal candidate will balance strong organizational skills with a systems-thinking mindset, exercising independent judgment and strategic leadership to shape the direction and effectiveness of OARS operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in business, operations, safety management, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in operations management, program leadership, or a related role, with a demonstrated track record of meeting deadlines and driving results
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects and manage competing priorities with minimal oversight
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a process improvement orientation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Teams and Excel
• Customer service orientation with a professional demeanor

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of compliance, safety programs, or regulatory requirements
• Familiarity with laboratory or research environments
• Experience with ticketing or operational management systems (ServiceNow or similar)

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain operational policies, procedures, and standards that support departmental needs and institutional objectives
• Partner with subject matter experts to improve respiratory protection and lab coat programs, including data analysis, supply chain management, and performance evaluation
• Establish and manage reporting frameworks to communicate safety-related metrics and KPIs to leadership and stakeholders
• Identify, prioritize, and drive process improvement initiatives across OARS business operations
• Serve as project lead for cross-functional organizational efficiency efforts, facilitating stakeholder communications and conducting post-project reviews
• Translate operational insights into strategic recommendations for OARS leadership
• Provide administrative and operational support, as needed, to OARS projects and initiatives
• Lead systems-related projects from initiation through implementation, monitoring risks and delivering against milestones
• Develop and maintain centralized systems for equipment and asset tracking, ensuring adherence to maintenance and calibration schedules
• Improve and maintain organizational systems for OARS digital platforms and Teams workspaces
• Serve as primary point of contact for general front desk customer interactions, including fit-tests and supply pickups
• Manage OARS inbox correspondence and incoming phone calls
• Manage vendor relationships and contracts related to safety program operations, including invoice oversight and MSA coordination
• Develop and execute procurement strategy to optimize cost, quality, and service delivery
• Lead centralized onboarding and offboarding processes for co-ops and staff
• Coordinate end-of-year activities to highlight co-op projects and successes
• Provide administrative and operational support for team-building activities and retreats

Benefits

• Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation.
• Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

What This Job Offers

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