Assistant Director, Academic Operations

Lehigh University; Bethlehem (Northampton County); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health coverage

Retirement contributions

Tuition benefits for employees and an

Accommodation for interview or hiring

Job summary

Lehigh University is seeking an Assistant Director of Academic Operations in the College of Business to ensure undergraduate programs run with precision and purpose. You will support students as they navigate their academic journeys and help maintain strong operational standards across the department.

You will oversee admissions-related operations, coordinate events, and lead communications initiatives while working with faculty, advising staff, and university partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent experience in Educational Leadership, Counseling, Education, Student Affairs, or Higher Education Administration.
• MBA or Master’s degree preferred to support operational leadership and strategic planning.
• 1–3 years of relevant work experience in higher education operations or student services.

Responsibilities

• Oversee undergraduate admissions-related operations and coordinate events across faculty, advising staff, student leaders, and university partners.
• Lead student communications initiatives at key points throughout the academic calendar.
• Support prospective student outreach and engagement programs.
• Identify operational gaps and implement process improvements to strengthen the undergraduate student experience.
• Serve as a systems administrator and subject-matter resource for academic operations tools.
• Coordinate curriculum approval workflows between faculty committees and university registrar functions.
• Prepare operational reports and data summaries to inform decision-making.
• Assist in planning and delivery of academic events, orientation programs, and student milestone activities.
• Collaborate with faculty and professional staff to ensure policy compliance and consistency in academic processes.
• Support assurance of learning and assessment processes for AACSB accreditation.

Skills

Operations management

Student services

Communication

Project coordination

Process improvement

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Educational Leadership or related

MBA or EdD preferred

Tools

Ellucian Banner

DegreeWorks

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Job no: 504068
Work type: Exempt Staff Full-time
Location: Partial Remote, Bethlehem
Categories: Administrative Services

Lehigh University's College of Business is known for bridging rigorous academic inquiry with real-world application. As Assistant Director of Academic Operations, you'll sit at the center of that work, keeping undergraduate programs running with precision and purpose, and helping students navigate their academic journeys with confidence.

Position Number: S80005

This position is a Grade: 8 - 40 with an approximate salary range of $47,570-$57,090 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.

What You'll Own

• Oversee several undergraduate admissions-related operations, coordinating events across faculty, advising staff, student leaders, and university partners
• Lead student communications initiatives at key points throughout the academic calendar
• Support prospective student outreach and engagement programs
• Identify operational gaps and implement process improvements that strengthen the undergraduate student experience
• Serve as a systems administrator and subject-matter resource for academic operations tools used within the College
• Coordinate curriculum approval workflows, liaising between faculty committees and university registrar functions
• Prepare operational reports and data summaries that inform decision-making across the Undergraduate Academic Operations team
• Assist in the planning and delivery of academic events, orientation programs, and student milestone activities
• Collaborate with faculty and professional staff to ensure policy compliance and consistency in academic processes
• Support assurance of learning and assessment processes for AACSB accreditation

What You Bring

• Bachelor's Degree inEducational Leadership, Counseling, Education, Student Affairs, Higher Education Administration, or similar
• Master of Business Administration or Master of Education preferred
• One to three years of work related experience
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, and to engage effectively with students, faculty, and staff
• Knowledge of academic systems such as Ellucian Banner, DegreeWorks, or similar platforms is highly desirable
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), as well as familiarity with Google Workspace
• Demonstrated ability to implement process improvements and handle operational challenges with attention to detail and a customer-service orientation

Why Lehigh

Lehigh invests meaningfully in its people. You'll access generous paid time off, comprehensive health coverage, strong retirement contributions, and tuition benefits for employees and eligible family members. Within the College of Business, operational staff are recognized as essential contributors to student success. Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and we seek qualified candidates to contribute to the university’s mission.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist .

Special Considerations

• This position has direct contact with minors, therefore a background check is required.
• The duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by their supervisor.

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.

Advertised: October 14, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled

A comprehensive benefit package for you and those that you care about.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or familial status, national origin (including shared ancestry), pregnancy or related conditions, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Lehigh University is committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and interested in candidates who seek to contribute tothe university’s mission.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws

LCA Notices of Intent to Hire H-1B/E-3 Employees

In compliance with US Department of Labor requirements and pursuant to 20 CFR 655.734, Lehigh University provides notices of intent to hire non-immigrant workers in the H-1B and E-3 visa classifications. Please note candidates have already been selected to fill the positions; the Notice of Intent to Hire is not a posting for an open position.