Operations Manager (College of Medicine-Tucson)

University of Arizona; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in Tucson is seeking an Operations Manager for the College of Medicine. This role involves supervising financial analysts, managing operational strategies, and collaborating with faculty to enhance departmental efficiency. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills and a proven track record in financial management. Outstanding benefits include health insurance, paid leave, and tuition reduction for employees and their families.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Paid Vacation

Tuition Reduction

Retirement Plans

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years of related work experience, including three years of managerial experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership across assigned departments by analyzing current financial performance.
• Collaborates with departmental leadership on strategies aligned with institutional goals.

Skills

Communication

Analytical Thinking

Leadership

Time Management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Operations Manager (College of Medicine-Tucson)

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Operations Manager (College of Medicine-Tucson)

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Position Highlights

The Operations Manager is a key team leader within the College of Medicine-Tucson Finance and Business Affairs PODS unit. As a leader, you will supervise three financial analysts and take charge of providing financial and operational management, as well as conducting analysis and forecasting. You will also be responsible for making strategic recommendations and offering guidance to department and center faculty and staff.

Position Highlights

The Operations Manager is a key team leader within the College of Medicine-Tucson Finance and Business Affairs PODS unit. As a leader, you will supervise three financial analysts and take charge of providing financial and operational management, as well as conducting analysis and forecasting. You will also be responsible for making strategic recommendations and offering guidance to department and center faculty and staff.

The role requires exceptional attention to detail, the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, strong communication skills, and a collaborative approach to working with others. Additionally, the incumbent will play a critical role in ensuring that the University effectively manages, protects, and leverages the financial resources of the department and center.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership across assigned departments/centers by analyzing current financial performance and forecasting future needs. The operations manager works with department chairs and administrators to reallocate budgets, identify opportunities for shared services and/or growth, and implement cost-saving measures.
• Partners with college and university leaders to shape objectives, policies, and plans by partnering with College and university leaders by participating in or co-leading strategic planning efforts—alongside department chairs and administrators—across key areas such as faculty affairs, education, research, patient care, finance, development, communication, and branding, to ensure departmental and college goals align with broader university objectives.
• Supports organizational development and change initiatives by leading financial and operational transitions during departmental reorganizations. For example, this position will be leading the establishment of a new department (Department of Dermatology, formerly a division within the Department of Medicine). Responsibilities may include assessing staffing and budgets, identifying redundancies, and establishing new processes. By guiding change and offering data-driven support, the role ensures efficient, collaborative outcomes aligned with the College's strategic goals.
• Collaborates with departmental leadership and faculty on strategies aligned with institutional goals. This role works closely with departmental leadership and faculty to develop annual budgets and multi-year financial plans that align with institutional goals around fiscal stewardship and program growth. The individual analyzes spending trends, forecasts revenue, and evaluates operational needs, helping departments prioritize investments in key areas like research infrastructure or academic programs by translating institutional priorities into actionable financial strategies. The role ensures department plans support the broader mission and sustainability of the College.
• Serves as the primary UA liaison for departmental operations, ensuring coordination with College of Medicine-Tucson, the Senior Vice President's Office, the Provost's Office and other campus units.
• Partners with Faculty Affairs and Department Chairs to oversee faculty personnel matters, including salary and FTE management, and the financial development of hiring packages (e.g., moving allowances, start-up, space, stipends).
• Prepares commitment sheets for offer letters and joint recruitments. Supports faculty recruitment and retention negotiations, ensuring alignment and documentation of institutional commitments.
• Participates in faculty and leadership meetings to address issues, guide special projects, support strategic planning, and keep leadership informed of departmental financial status and outstanding items.
• Holds fiscal responsibility for assigned academic departments and/or centers. Provides guidance on interpreting and implementing state, federal, university, and departmental policies.
• Oversees all financial commitments and resource allocations to support departmental missions. Serves as the primary contact for state fund distribution and commitment tracking. *Monitors account statuses, advises Chairs, Directors, and PIs on financial plans and expenditures, and manages state budgets, capital assets, and donor funds.
• Develops budget strategies, coordinates annual fund distribution, and leads the preparation and submission of the UA budget process for assigned units.
• Collaborates with Human Resources (HR) on all aspects of personnel actions, including recruitment, position and hiring requests, FTE and salary changes, terminations, visas, and DCCs. Reviews and approves postings, hiring documents, and employment changes.
• Participates in staff recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, and team development. Provides coaching, assigns tasks, sets deadlines, and reviews work for accuracy.
• Continuously evaluates workflows to improve efficiency and address service gaps by optimizing approval chains by eliminating unnecessary routing layers, developing a shared service model for payroll reconciliation for smaller to mid-size departments with similar needs. Standardize payroll processes and automate customized payroll reports to identify salary discrepancies and ensure timely salary corrections. Cross train staff to reduce staff workload and avoid the need for temporary hires.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing demands
• Ability to take initiative and be self-motivated
• Ability to multi-task projects and daily assignments
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• In-depth knowledge of accounting practices, procedures and generally accepted accounting principles.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of related work experience, including three (3) years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  
  

Preferred QualificationsFLSAExemptFull Time/Part TimeFull TimeNumber of Hours Worked per Week40Job FTE1.0Work CalendarFiscalJob CategoryOrganizational AdministrationBenefits EligibleYes - Full BenefitsRate of PayDOECompensation Typesalary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)Grade10Compensation GuidanceThe Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.Career Stream and LevelM3Job FamilyAdministrative OperationsJob FunctionOrganizational AdministrationType of criminal background check required:Fingerprint criminal background check (security sensitive due to job duties)Number of Vacancies1Target Hire DateExpected End DateContact Information for CandidatesCasandra Sanchez | [e-mail] Date5/13/2025Open Until FilledYesDocuments Needed to ApplyResume and Cover LetterSpecial Instructions to ApplicantNotice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety ReportIn compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Management and Manufacturing

• Industries

  Higher Education

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