Operations Manager, Constituent Engagement

James Madison University; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave

Health insurance

Retirement options (VRS)

Balanced Dukes well-being program

Tuition waiver program

Job summary

James Madison University is seeking an Operations Manager, Constituent Engagement to serve as the central manager of business functions for Constituent Engagement and related CE departments. You will provide operational, administrative, and organizational support to the AVP and four department heads.

This role emphasizes coordinating events, volunteer engagement, reporting, and ensuring compliance across systems.

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating administrative operations, projects, events, or organizational initiatives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including meeting notes and reports.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service and work with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience handling confidential information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Lead logistics coordination for unit functions and meetings; schedule venues and share agendas.
• Record meetings and share summaries, minutes, and actions as directed.
• Coordinate annual updates of signature sheets, annual reports, and curriculum items.
• Be the central point of contact for internal and external stakeholders seeking access to leadership.
• Oversee onboarding of student employees and manage wage hours in the central system.

Skills

Project coordination

Multitasking

Communication

Customer service

Discretion

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Salesforce

CVENT

Marketing Cloud

Experience Cloud

Cascade CMS

Job description

Working Title: Operations Manager, Constituent Engagement

State Role Title:Administrative and Office Specialist III

Position Type:Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status:Full-Time

FLSA Status:Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division:Constituent Engagement and Sustained Giving

Department: 100527 - Assoc VP Constituent Relations

Pay Band:3

Pay Rate:Maximum Starting

Specify Range or Amount: $50,120

Is this a JMU only position?No

Is this a grant-funded position?No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position?No

Beginning Review Date:09/23/2026

About JMU

At James Madison University (JMU), we’re more than just a publicly funded institution — we’re a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.
Why Work at JMU?

• Generous Leave: Enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, community service leave, and 19 paid holidays annually.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access high-quality health insurance options that fit your needs.
• Retirement Options: Plan for your future with retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Employee Well-Being: Our Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support.
• Tuition Waiver Program: Advance your education with our tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU.

At JMU, we believe in Being the Change — and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.
Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information

The position's core responsibility is to serve as the central manager of all business functions for Constituent Engagement (CE) and departments within CE by providing excellent customer service internally and externally, demonstrating expert organizational skills, prioritizing and managing multiple projects, and championing university systems, policies, and procedures. Provide comprehensive operational, administrative and organizational support to the Assistant Vice President (AVP) and four department heads (Alumni Relations, Annual Giving, Family Engagement, Women for Madison).

Duties and Responsibilities

Operations

• Lead logistics coordination for unit functions and meetings: scheduling, venue selection, agenda distribution.
• Record leadership meetings and unit meetings, and share AI summaries, minutes, and/or action items as directed by the AVP.
• Process and coordinate CE efforts for annual updates of signature sheets, annual reports, curriculum items and any other JMU requests.
• Serve as a central point of contact for internal and external stakeholders seeking access to unit leadership (AVP and department heads).
• Spearhead CE student employee committee and lead onboarding.
• Enter all CE wage-employee hours into the central system.
• Serve as the unit’s fixed assets coordinator.
• Provide back-up to departments for purchasing, travel arrangements, and reimbursements.

Essential Systems

• Convene cross-departmental users’ groups for Salesforce add-ons (CVENT, Marketing Cloud).
• Support CE departments’ event registrations as needed (CVENT), including pulling reports and managing registration updates.
• Assist with departments’ email communications (Marketing Cloud), including reviewing emails for compliance, adding audiences, and scheduling/sending.
• Maintain CE web pages (Cascade, some Experience Cloud) to reflect current organizational structure, mission, vision, and values, as well as services/collaborations available for campus partners.

Key Events

• Maintain “key events” calendar in collaboration with AVP and department heads.
• Provide registration and onsite check-in support for attendees.
• Assist with volunteer sign-up and ensure volunteers have materials and premiums as requested by department heads.
• Help with set-up and take-down.

Special Projects

• Assume project responsibility as requested (examples below):
  • E.g., oversee hiring and onboarding of part-time employees, such as Presidential Engagement Fellow
  • E.g., coordinate and participate in CE-led, university-wide task force
  • E.g., assist department head or AVP by creating slide decks for high-profile presentations

Leadership Development Committee

• Convene group to devise activities and events aimed at staff professional development, engagement and culture enhancement.
• Facilitate decision-making, ensure follow-through on committee priorities, and maintain transparent communication across departments.
• Collaborate with department heads to advance unit goals and alignment across teams.
• Plan and execute the annual unit retreat in collaboration with AVP.

Qualifications

Required

• Experience coordinating administrative operations, projects, events, or organizational initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain attention to detail, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparing meeting notes, reports, and presentations.
• Experience using Microsoft applications and other business systems.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and provide excellent customer service.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and handle confidential information.

Additional Considerations

• Experience in higher education, advancement, alumni engagement, communications, or a related field.
• Experience using Salesforce or similar CRM systems.
• Experience with CVENT, Marketing Cloud, Experience Cloud, Cascade CMS, or comparable event, email marketing, or web content management platforms.
• Experience coordinating events, volunteer engagement, or registration processes.
• Experience leading projects or committees involving multiple departments.
• Experience onboarding, training, or supervising student employees, interns, or temporary staff.
• Experience developing presentations, reports, and communications for executive leadership.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled productivity tools and business process improvement.

Additional Posting Information

Conditions of Employment

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: [phone].

Reasonable Accommodation

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at [phone] or [e-mail]. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.