Director of Operations

University of Maryland; United States; On-site; USD 166,000 - 199,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Maryland, College Park, is seeking a Director of Operations for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE). The role oversees administrative, financial, and operational activities for CEE and affiliated centers, ensuring regulatory compliance and strategic planning.

Key responsibilities include advising the Chair and faculty, managing the large department budget (~$51M) and payroll for 347 employees, and coordinating large-scale grant proposals and center

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: 10 years in HR, payroll, budget, finance, facilities management, procurement, or operations.
• 5+ years supervising staff.

Responsibilities

• Plan and direct all administrative, financial and operational activities for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
• Advise Chair and faculty, staff and students on policies and procedures.
• Oversee department finances (~$51M) and payroll for 347 employees.

Skills

HR policies & procedures

Budget & financial awareness

Data analytics

Oral & written communication

Policy interpretation

Microsoft Office & Google Workspace

Independent judgment

Policy development

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Chair, the Director of Operations plans and directs all administrative, financial and operational activities for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), including affiliated centers and institutes. This includes, but is not limited to, the Center for Advanced Transportation Technology (CATT) and the Maryland Transportation Institute (MTI). In this capacity, the Director organizes and prioritizes critical issues and data for the Chair to facilitate effective decisions and strategic planning. The Director advises the Chair and departmental faculty, staff and students on federal, state and campus policies and procedures and establishes administrative practices to ensure regulatory compliance. The Director provides direct and indirect oversight of departmental finances (approximately $51M), personnel (3-5 direct staff reports), payroll (347 total employees), space utilization and faculty affairs (26 tenured/tenure track faculty and approximately 158 professional track faculty). The Director will have a very strong understanding of the center operations and budget issues and have the ability to work on large-scale grant proposals.

The A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland serves as the catalyst for high-quality research, innovation, and learning, delivering on a promise that all graduates will leave ready to impact the Grand Challenges (e.g., energy, environment, security, and human health) of the 21st century. The Clark School is dedicated to leading and transforming the engineering discipline and profession, to accelerating entrepreneurship, and to transforming research and learning activities into new innovations that benefit millions.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Ten (10) years of professional experience in human resources, payroll, budget, finance, facilities management, procurement, or managing business operations. Five (5) years of experience supervising or managing professional staff.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of human resources policies and procedures, and federal, state, and other applicable human resources related laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances.
• Knowledge of business acumen to understand key business drivers, organizational communications, and data.
• Knowledge of organizational and unit performances measures.
• Knowledge of the impact and implications of decisions on leadership objectives.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in data analytics and negotiation.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace products.
• Ability to research information and analyze/synthesize complex data and information to create reports and presentations with valid conclusions derived from various sources.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion.
• Ability to develop and administer new policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.

Additional Job Details

Preferences:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, Finance, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.

• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in academic administration, business operations, or a related field, preferably within higher education.

• Experience managing sponsored research administration and working with multiple funding sources (e.g., state, foundation, federal) in a academic environment strongly preferred.

• Knowledge of sponsored research administration, including pre and post award processes.

• Familiarity with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

Required Application Materials

• Resume

• Cover letter

• List of Professional references (minimum of 3)

Best Consideration Date

May 08, 2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Job Risks

Not Applicable to This Position

Financial Disclosure Required

Yes

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

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Resources

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Department

ENGR-Civil & Environmental Engineering

Worker Sub-Type

Staff Regular

Salary Range

165,680 to 198,816.00

Benefits Summary

Regular Exempt benefits

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.