Associate Director of Operations

SLAC; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 118,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

18+ PTO days per year

Health benefits

Flexible work options

Tuition and training assistance

403(b) plan

Mental health and wellness programs

Free or discounted commuter benefits

Job summary

Stanford University’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences seeks an Associate Director of Operations (Academic Operations Manager 1) to lead facilities, administrative services, onboarding, and process improvements in a complex academic setting.

This hybrid role combines strategic operational leadership with hands-on management, supervising staff and coordinating budgets, grants, and contracts to support faculty, staff, trainees and research programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of relevant administrative/financial management experience.
• Strong supervisory, planning, and organizational skills.
• Experience with grants and contract administration.
• Ability to analyze processes and improve operations.
• Knowledge of budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Attention to detail and effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations for assigned units and supervise staff.
• Guide faculty supervisors on HR policies and procedures.
• Evaluate processes and lead improvement initiatives.
• Analyze staffing, facilities, health and safety, finance, and admin needs.
• Interpret and ensure compliance with university policies.
• Manage annual budget across all sources, forecasting and reporting.
• Coordinate grants and contracts compliance.
• Represent unit’s business and academic operations.
• Oversee student and faculty program administration.

Skills

Supervisory skills

Planning & organization

Budgeting & forecasting

Grants & contracts

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Management software

Regulatory knowledge

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences is seeking an Associate Director of Operations (Academic Operations Manager 1) to serve as a key operational leader supporting the department's academic, administrative, and facilities functions. This role oversees a team of professionals in facilities and administrative services functional areas and partners closely with departmental leadership to ensure the effective delivery of services that support faculty, staff, trainees, and research programs. The Associate Director of Operations will lead areas including facilities and space management, administrative services, faculty onboarding and offboarding, process improvement initiatives, and operational planning. The position also plays a significant role in shaping and implementing department-wide operational strategies, improving service delivery, and ensuring that infrastructure, resources, and support functions align with the department's academic and clinical missions. This is an excellent opportunity for a collaborative and solutions-oriented leader who enjoys balancing strategic initiatives with hands‑on operational management in a complex academic environment.

This is a hybrid role with an initial work arrangement consisting of three (3) days onsite and 2 days remote per week. More onsite presence may be required during the onboarding period.

Responsibilities

Core Duties:

• Manage staff in the day-to-day operations for functional area(s) of responsibility. Responsible for hiring and retaining staff, career coaching, personal development for direct reports and accountable for the performance of employees. Ensure work completion within schedule and constraints.
• May independently or in collaboration with human resources managers, guide faculty supervisors in the interpretation and implementation of human resources policies, procedures and programs.
• Evaluate business processes and operational and/or financial effectiveness. Analyze and resolve complex issues and provide alternative solutions as necessary. May lead process improvement for immediate unit.
• Analyze unit needs and make recommendations to leadership for changes in staffing, facilities, health and safety compliance, finance, technology and/or administrative functions. Work with the Chair and/or Dean’s Office regarding resources to support faculty activities and interests.
• Interpret, implement and ensure compliance with university academic and administrative policies and procedures within an operating unit. Recommend new internal policies, guidelines and procedures.
• Manage the finances across all sources for the annual budget, including developing, monitoring, analyzing, forecasting and reporting.
• Manage and coordinate grants and contracts for the department. Ensure compliance with institutional and external requirements.
• Represent the unit’s business and academic operations within the organization/school.
• Manage student and faculty program administration for their unit.
  

Minimum Education and Experience Required:

Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience in administrative and financial management, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated supervisory skills including conflict resolution.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of accounting, budget planning and financial forecasting.
• Working knowledge of grants and contract administration.
• Strong negotiation and effective interpersonal skills.
• Solid analytical and problem solving skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong expertise in business and management computer applications and databases.
• Strong knowledge in industry standards and/or regulatory requirements.
• Ability to multi-task and manage deadlines.
• Subject matter expertise for area(s) of responsibility.
• Able to keep abreast of general industry knowledge and trends.
• Pay Range $117,700-$219,707
• Pay Frequency Annually
• Fixed Term N
• Stanford Schools and Units School of Medicine
• Full time or Part time Full Time
• Regular or Temporary Regular
• Job Category Administration
• Posting Date 10/05/2026, 08:21 PM
• Grade J
• Job Identification 201284

Benefits that support you, and your future

18+ PTO days per year

Health benefits start when you start

Flexible work options

$6000+ annual tuition and training assistance

403(b) plan

Mental health and wellness programs

Free and discounted commuter transportation

Applies to regular full‑time positions.

Notice to Applicants

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Stanford University provides job pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a particular job. The specific pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on a wide range of factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to geographic work location, relevant knowledge, skills and abilities, relevant education, years of relevant experience, depth and breadth of relevant experience, and performance; further including but not limited to other business and organization needs such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the minimum qualifications, departmental budget availability, and market and internal equity across the university, school/ unit, department, as well as job reporting relations

hips.

Why work at Stanford

World-changing work in a culture of continuous learning

An inspiring community that values collaboration

High-quality health and wellness benefits that put you and your family first

Access to world-class education and career development, with tuition reimbursement, training assistance, and more