Director, Academic Operations & Strategic Planning

University of Massachusetts Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Massachusetts Boston is seeking a Director for Academic Operations & Planning to lead scheduling, curriculum operations, and data-informed planning across the College. Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean, you will ensure processes run smoothly, align with policies, and support strategic initiatives.

The role requires strong project management, independent judgment, and effective communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of relevant experience in higher education administration, academic operations, or project management.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Ability to maintain high degree of discretion and confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with data systems or reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate course scheduling and related communications from information collection through data entry and management.
• Oversee all administrative aspects of implementing the academic curriculum, including scheduling and room assignments.
• Serve as the primary scheduler for the College’s Health and Interdisciplinary courses.
• Ensure that teaching evaluations are implemented, collected, stored, and disseminated appropriately.
• Coordinate logistics, timelines, and communications related to course evaluations, faculty assignments, and semester scheduling with departments and the Senior Associate Dean.
• Monitor academic operations to ensure accuracy and alignment with university academic policies, collaborating with academic leaders and the Registrar’s Office to maintain compliance.
• Lead, plan, evaluate, and refine systems and operations to enhance scheduling, evaluation, and related areas for continuous improvement.
• Implement academic projects under the direction of the Senior Associate Dean using efficient, accurate methods.
• Track project plans, deliverables, timelines, risks, and outcomes.
• Develop and maintain tracking systems for academic workflows, strategic initiatives, and continuous-improvement efforts.
• Identify opportunities to streamline and modernize operations; develop best practices and workflow improvements in partnership with college leaders.
• Utilize academic dashboards and databases for report writing and data analysis.
• Interpret data and make evidence-based recommendations to support decision-making.
• Prepare reports and data summaries under the direction of the Associate Deans.
• Support data collection and reporting related to college-wide strategic initiatives.
• Serve as the primary organizer for faculty development programs under the direction of the Associate Deans.
• Track faculty development activities, participation, outcomes, and follow-up.
• Maintain tracking systems for faculty affairs and major personnel actions.
• Identify opportunities to integrate research, teaching, and professional development initiatives.
• Coordinate college-wide and executive leadership events with Associate Deans and staff, including planning, scheduling, materials, communications, and follow-up.
• Develop and distribute College communications, including newsletters, announcements, and social media content, highlighting academic, research, and student success initiatives.
• Draft correspondence, memos, and reports for the Dean’s Office in collaboration with College leadership.
• Assist in creating and delivering communications that advance the College’s mission.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, efficiency, and continuous improvement across College operations.
• Serve as a key partner to the Senior Associate Dean, Department Chairs, Program Directors, and administrative units to ensure operational consistency.
• Maintain strong working relationships across the College and university and foster a culture of collaboration, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Manage sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
• Other duties as assigned, particularly as they enhance collaboration and the mission of the College.

Skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Initiative

Collaboration

Discretion and confidentiality

Microsoft Office

Power BI

Tableau

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Five years experience in higher education administration

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

University of Massachusetts Boston is seeking a Director for Academic Operations & Planning to lead scheduling, curriculum operations, and data-informed planning across the College. Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean, you will ensure processes run smoothly, align with policies, and support strategic initiatives.

The role requires strong project management, independent judgment, and effective communication.