Director of Operations, Electrical and Computer Engineering

University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Virginia's Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering seeks a Director of Operations to oversee the department’s administrative, financial, human resources, and educational operations. This role ensures alignment with the department’s strategic priorities, manages a team, and serves as the primary liaison with university administration and SEAS.

Reporting to the department chair, the Director operates proactively and independently, contributing to budget development and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Four years of increasingly responsible management/administrative duties required.
• At least two years of supervisory/management experience required; four years preferred.
• Experience in academic administration or higher education management preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements short- and long-term strategic goals for administrative, financial, staffing, and space needs.
• Sits on the senior leadership team and advises on business operations.
• Ensures procedures adhere to university policies and regulations, with appropriate internal controls.
• Acts as senior fiscal officer, overseeing financial reports and policy compliance.
• Coordinates budgeting with leadership and monitors expenditures within approved limits.
• Hires, mentors, and evaluates department staff and develops staffing plans.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Outlook

Microsoft Office

Zoom

Adobe Acrobat

Workday HR and Financials

Student Information Systems

Box

Job description

The Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Virginia seeks a Director of Operations to manage the department’s administrative functions. ECE is a thriving program of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff committed to exploration, innovation, and engineering excellence. The Director of Operations is responsible, either personally, collaboratively, or through delegation of responsibilities, for directing and managing the daily operations of the department, which include the administrative, financial, human resources, and educational operations in support of the department’s educational and research missions. The Director of Operations works collaboratively with the department chair and faculty to address operational concerns, resolve issues, and advocate for departmental priorities and initiatives. They supervise a team of employees in carrying out these responsibilities. They are the primary liaison between the department and the broader university administration, including the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS).

Reporting to the department chair, the Director of Operations will regularly consult departmental leadership on complex or highly impactful issues. A successful candidate must operate proactively, strategically, and independently under the direction of the department chair and in line with the strategic aims of ECE. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit a cover letter detailing how their experience and qualifications align with the following.

Responsibilities

• Develops and assists in implementing short- and long-term strategic goals (including administrative, financial, staffing, and space) that align with department goals in partnership with the department chair and departmental leadership.
• Serves on the department senior leadership team, is an active advisor to this group, and works to carry out business operations with direction from this team.
• Formulates, improves, and ensures departmental procedures are in place in accordance with School of Engineering and University policies and governmental regulations.
• Serves as senior fiscal officer for the department: responsible for the department’s financial reports and financial information accuracy. Also responsible for ensuring that fiscal activities comply with school and university financial policies and guidelines and that appropriate internal controls are in place.
• In collaboration with ECE leadership, develop the annual budget in alignment with the department's strategic plan. Oversees the financials and manages expenditures within the approved budget.
• Hires, mentors, and manages the performance of department staff. Develops and implements staffing plans to appropriately resource priority programs.
• Ensures completion of workflows such as faculty and staff merit increases, faculty promotion and tenure, faculty, staff, and student hiring and onboarding, and annual evaluations.
• Collaborates with Graduate and Undergraduate Programs, Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, and Facilities Management partners across Engineering and University.
• Promotes the efficient use of space within the department by providing feedback and recommendations to the department chair regarding the use of space, potential reassignment, relinquishment, or redesign of space to accommodate current and future needs.
• Responsible for responding to space surveys and managing the safety and cleanliness of department space.
• Oversees the IT needs of the department and ensures appropriate support from partner groups.
• Remains current on emergency preparedness activities in the School and the University.
• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree is required. A Master’s degree is preferred. Relevant exempt level experience may substitute for a degree.
• Four years of increasingly responsible management and administrative duties is required.
• At least two years of supervisory and management experience with a team is required. Four years of supervisory and management experience is preferred.
• Experience in academic administration or as a department manager in a higher education setting is preferred.
• A demonstrated history of managing and coordinating multiple priorities and projects across academic and business areas is required.
• Proficiency with Outlook, Microsoft Office, Zoom, and Adobe Acrobat is required.
• Proficiency with Workday HR and Financials, Student Information Systems, Box, building access, or similar programs experience is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

Anticipated hiring range: $95,000 - $115,300 commensurate with education and experience.

This position will remain open until filled. This is an exempt level, benefited position. The University will perform background checks on all hires (if required) prior to employment. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. For this role, the University will not sponsor or consider candidates requiring sponsorship for employment visas now or in the future.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree
• Experience: Four years of increasingly responsible management and administrative responsibility is required. Two years of supervisory experience is required. Relevant exempt level experience may substitute for a degree.
• Licensure: None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.