Operations Manager

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks an Operations Manager to coordinate Heelprint 542 operations in a student-powered, faculty-led agency. You will oversee client projects, staffing, and workflows, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to standards.

The role supports budgets, invoices, events, and outreach while guiding student teams and coordinating with Co-Directors and partners. Hybrid schedule; NC-residency preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and one year of related experience or equivalent training.
• Experience managing budgets, expenditures, purchasing, or payments.
• Experience supervising or mentoring students, interns, or project teams.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day operations of Heelprint 542 and the agency.
• Manage project schedules, milestones, staffing plans and deliverables.
• Monitor finances, budgets, revenues, and expenditures; handle invoicing and payments.

Skills

Project management

Operations coordination

Budget management

Staffing / mentoring

Process improvement

Event coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Department:

School of Journalism and Media - 350100

Career Area :

Other

Posting Open Date:

09/11/2026

Application Deadline:

09/25/2026

Position Type:

Temporary Staff (SHRA)

Position Title :

Operations Manager

Position Number:

20078598

Vacancy ID:

S028056

Full-time/Part-time:

Full-Time Temporary

Hours per week:

40

Position Location:

North Carolina, US

Hiring Range:

$29.00 - $33.00 per hour

Proposed Start Date:

09/11/2026

Estimated Duration of Appointment:

6 months or longer

Be a Tar Heel!:

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks that include numerous retail and restaurant discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates for performing arts events.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

The Operations Manager serves as a central point of operational coordination among the Co-Directors, student teams, clients, vendors, School administrative offices, and other internal and external partners. The position provides agency Co-Directors with regular updates about project status, resource needs, financial activity, operational performance, and emerging issues requiring attention or resolution. Through these responsibilities, the Operations Manager helps maintain an organized, responsive, and professionally managed agency environment that supports both client service and experiential student learning.

Position Summary:

This position may be eligible for hybrid work schedule. Employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

The temporary full-time Operations Manager is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations of Heelprint 542, a student-powered, faculty-led creative agency housed within the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media. The position oversees the operational execution of client projects and manages the administrative systems, workflows, resources, and business support activities necessary for the agency to operate effectively.

The Operations Manager coordinates multiple concurrent client projects from initiation through completion. The position establishes and monitors project schedules, milestones, deliverables, staffing plans, and related documentation; identifies and addresses operational risks or delays; and helps ensure that agency work is completed on schedule, meets established professional standards, and aligns with priorities established by agency leadership.

The position plays a central role in organizing and deploying student talent. In consultation with the Heelprint 542 Co-Directors, the Operations Manager assembles student project teams, coordinates assignments and workloads, monitors project performance, and adjusts staffing and workflows in response to changing project needs. The position also provides students with foundational training and guidance in project management, business processes, professional communication, time management, and collaborative problem-solving.

In addition to project and workflow management, the Operations Manager administers a broad range of business and program support functions. These responsibilities include assisting with the development and monitoring of agency budgets; tracking revenues and expenditures; coordinating invoices, payments, purchases, reimbursements, and other financial transactions with the appropriate School and University offices; supporting events and client engagements; maintaining agency records and operational systems; and coordinating internal and external communications, social media, marketing, and outreach activities.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Management Preferences:

• Experience managing projects, operations, or client accounts in a professional environment
• Experience overseeing budgets, expenditures, purchasing, or payment processes
• Experience supervising, training, or mentoring students, interns, or project teams
• Experience developing or improving business processes, workflows, or operational systems
• Experience coordinating events, outreach, marketing, or stakeholder engagement activities

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:

Not Applicable.