Director for Plans and Operations; Project Manager for the CLA

The University of North Georgia; Dahlonega (GA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Georgia in Dahlonega seeks a Director for Plans and Operations and Project Manager for the Cadet Leadership Academy (CLA). This role leads enterprise planning, establishes long-range calendars, and synchronizes the Commandant's operations cell with ROTC, university events, and external partners.

Reporting to the AVP & Chief of Staff, you will supervise the DMO, translate strategic guidance into concrete plans, and provide decision-ready briefs and assessments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master's preferred.
• Experience in military operations planning at battalion level or higher.
• Strong planning, staff integration, and executive communication.
• Long-range planning and training management experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain 12-24 month CLA operations plan and long-range process.
• Align academic, Corps, ROTC, events, and partner requirements.
• Supervise the Director of Military Operations and provide planning guidance.
• Produce briefs, EXSUMs, and AAR roll-ups; track enterprise metrics.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Job Title: Director for Plans and Operations; Project Manager for the CLA

Location: UNG-Dahlonega, GA

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Job ID: 303913

About Us

Located in the fastest-growing region of the state, the University of North Georgia is a multi-campus university with an enrollment of over 20,000 students, making it one of the largest institutions in the University System of Georgia. UNG is focused on a mission of educational excellence, leadership development and community engagement opportunities that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. Through a variety of educational pathways that provide access and range from certificates and associate degrees to a professional doctoral program, UNG is responsive to regional education and economic development needs. Federally designated as a senior military college, one of the university's signature leadership programs is its 800-member Corps of Cadets on UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

Location

Dahlonega

Job Summary

The Director for Plans and Operations / Project Manager for the Cadet Leadership Academy (CLA) serves as the CLA's principal enterprise planner and operations integrator, reporting to the AVP & Chief of Staff. The Director governs the 12-24 month planning framework - long-range plans, SOPs, calendars, decision points, and resource priorities - and synchronizes the Commandant's operations cell, Army ROTC, University Events, and other partners. The Director supervises the Director of Military Operations (DMO), who converts strategic guidance into the mid-range training and events campaign, and provides decision support while preserving Commandant, PMS/ROTC, and institutional authorities. No direct budget authority; validates operational resource requirements through the Chief of Staff.

Responsibilities

• Enterprise Planning & Integration:
  • Develop and maintain the CLA 12-24 month operations strategy and long-range planning process; align academic, Corps, ROTC, leader-development, major-event, and partner requirements; establish planning horizons, decision points, priorities, and synchronization mechanisms.
  • UNG/USG; CLA planning guidance; applicable Army/ROTC, risk, safety, event, procurement, and fiscal policies.
• Operations Governance & Standards:
  • Establish CLA planning processes, SOPs, battle rhythm, templates, risk/governance standards, and continuity systems; translate strategic guidance into clear requirements for the DMO and supporting cells.
• Cross-Functional Synchronization & Major Events:
  • Integrate the Commandant's operations cell, Army ROTC, University Events, Facilities, Public Safety, Athletics, Student Affairs, and external partners; set frameworks and senior decision points for major CLA events while the DMO/operations cell owns detailed planning and execution.
• Executive Decision Support & Project Management:
  • Produce decision-quality briefs, EXSUMs, plans, assessments, and AAR roll-ups; manage assigned strategic projects, track enterprise operations metrics, identify friction, and recommend policy, process, or resource adjustments.
• People Leadership & Continuity:
  • Supervise the DMO; provide planning guidance and development to subordinate/matrixed planners and cadet staff; enforce disciplined staff processes, accountability, and continuity.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expert knowledge of military planning processes (MDMP, TLPs, mission command, risk management).
• Strong project/program management, cross-functional coordination, executive communication, assessment/AAR, and resource-prioritization skills.
• Able to bridge military and university structures while preserving command and functional authorities.
• Demonstrated ability to convert strategic guidance into integrated plans, calendars, SOPs, and decision products.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree in leadership, public administration, strategic studies, organizational leadership, project management, or a related field preferred.
• Progressively responsible military operations and planning experience at battalion level or higher, including long-range planning, training management, staff integration, and executive communication.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior service as a senior NCO (SGM/CSM) or field-grade officer (MAJ-COL), or equivalent, strongly preferred.
• Senior Military College, ROTC, higher-education, or comparable institutional experience preferred.

Required Documents to Attach

• Resume, Cover Letter, and Transcripts
• Contact information for three professional references

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values

The University of North Georgia, a regional multi-campus institution and premier senior military college, provides a culture of academic excellence in a student-focused environment that includes quality education, service, research, and creativity. This is accomplished through broad access to comprehensive academic and co-curricular programs that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. The University of North Georgia is a University System of Georgia leadership institution and is The Military College of Georgia. More details on the UNG Mission, Values, Vision, and Culture can be found at https://ung.edu/about/mission-vision-values.php.

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of North Georgia, as determined by University of North Georgia in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of North Georgia, a unit of the University System of Georgia, is an affirmative action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sex or national origin, age, disability, religion, genetics or veteran status. Georgia is an open records state. Also, UNG is a federal contractor and desires priority referrals of protected veterans.

Other Information

• This is a supervisory position.
• This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
• This position will be required to drive.
• This role is considered a position of trust.
• This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
• This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time.
• This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

• Standard Enhanced + Education