Operations Manager, Pathways Center

Manhattan University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Manhattan University is seeking an Operations Manager for the Pathways Center, reporting to the Executive Director for Career Strategy and Advising. You will oversee administrative, financial, and operational support, ensuring efficient day-to-day functioning of the center that guides students in career planning and academic success.

You will manage front desk operations, collaborate with campus partners, hire and supervise student staff, handle purchasing and budgets, and support grant-funded

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Three years of administrative/operational experience in higher education or nonprofit environment.
• Strong organizational and customer service skills with attention to detail.
• Understanding of the university mission and Catholic Lasallian heritage.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily administrative and operational functions of the Pathways Center.
• Lead front desk operations and coordinate inquiries, scheduling, and staff connections.
• Collaborate with Success Coaches and campus partners to support student outreach and assessments.
• Hire, onboard, and supervise work-study and graduate assistants.
• Manage departmental purchasing, invoices, reimbursements, travel requests, and budgets.
• Coordinate onboarding and personnel processes with Human Resources.
• Support budget reporting, grant-related tasks, and compliance obligations.
• Plan and support events with facilities, catering, and partner departments.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Customer service

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Canva

CRM platforms

Project management tools

Job description

About The University

Manhattan University is nestled in the historic neighborhood or Riverdale , close to dozens of restaurants and shops as well as Van Cortlandt Park , and is only 35 minutes from midtown Manhattan. Manhattan University is nationally ranked and offers degree programs in the arts, business, education, engineering, and science. The University has approximately 2,900 full and part-time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in over 50 fields of study. It is committed to excellence in teaching a diverse student body and preparing students for successful careers and fulfilling lives. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees and faculty members can thrive personally and professionally.

About The University

Manhattan University is nestled in the historic neighborhood or Riverdale , close to dozens of restaurants and shops as well as Van Cortlandt Park , and is only 35 minutes from midtown Manhattan. Manhattan University is nationally ranked and offers degree programs in the arts, business, education, engineering, and science. The University has approximately 2,900 full and part-time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in over 50 fields of study. It is committed to excellence in teaching a diverse student body and preparing students for successful careers and fulfilling lives. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees and faculty members can thrive personally and professionally.

Position Description

The Operations Manager, reporting to the Executive Director for Career Strategy and Advising, provides comprehensive administrative, financial, and operational support for the Pathways Center (a holistic center for career & academic planning and coaching), ensuring the efficient day-to-day functioning of the University's integrated advising, career development, employer relations, and student success initiatives.

As the first point of contact for the Center, the Operations Manager leads the daily administrative operations of this dynamic, high-volume student services office, ensuring efficient workflow, exceptional customer service, and seamless coordination of front desk operations, communications, and inquiries while connecting students, faculty, employers, alumni, and community partners with the appropriate resources and staff. The Operations Manager fosters a welcoming, responsive, and student-centered office environment that reflects the mission and values of the Pathways Center.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage the daily administrative and operational functions of the Pathways Center while ensuring efficient workflow and exceptional customer service.
• Manage the daily front office operations of the Center by welcoming and assisting students and visitors, responding to phone, email, and walk-in inquiries, coordinating the flow of visitors and appointments, providing accurate information, and connecting individuals with appropriate staff, services, and other campus resources.
• Collaborate with Success Coaches, Directors, and campus partners to support coordinated student outreach, referral processes, milestone tracking, and assessment initiatives, ensuring timely follow-up and efficient operational support for student success efforts.
• Hire, onboard and supervise work-study and graduate assistant students.
• Manage departmental purchasing, procurement, invoices, reimbursements, travel requests, and other financial transactions in accordance with University policies.
• Monitor departmental operating budgets and prepare budget reports, reconciliations, expenditure tracking, and financial summaries for Center leadership.
• Provide administrative and budgetary support for the University's Title III grant and other grant-funded initiatives, including budget monitoring, purchasing, documentation, reporting, and compliance with grant requirements.
• Coordinate onboarding, student employment, and other personnel-related processes in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Schedule meetings, maintain calendars, prepare agendas, record meeting minutes for the Executive Director. Coordinate internal and external event communications.
• Working closely with events management, facilities, and catering for all internal and external events hosted by the center, including career fairs, mentoring program, workshops, and advising events and sessions and other Pathways Center initiatives.
• Maintain departmental records, databases, and files while ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with University policies.
• Manage office technology, equipment, supplies, facilities requests, and workspace needs.
• Assist with data collection, assessment reporting, and operational projects that support student success and institutional effectiveness.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
• Some nights and weekends required.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible administrative, operations, office management, or business management experience, preferably in higher education or a nonprofit environment.
• Demonstrated organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing exceptional customer service in a student-facing environment.
• Understanding of and appreciation for Manhattan University's Catholic Lasallian mission and heritage.

Preferred Skills And Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, adapt to changing demands, and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced, student-centered environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Canva. Experience with budgets and purchasing preferred.
• Familiarity with University administrative information systems
• Knowledge of CRM platforms and project management tools.

Manhattan University is an E-Verify employer.

Founded in 1853, Manhattan University is an independent Catholic Lasallian institution located in Riverdale, NY that embraces students of all faiths, cultures, and traditions. The mission of the University is to provide a dynamic student-centered educational experience that prepares graduates for lives of personal development, professional success, civic engagement, and service to their fellow human beings. We expect our faculty, administration, and staff to be knowledgeable about our mission and to make a positive contribution to the mission.

Manhattan University provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, marital status, partnership status, pregnancy, caregiver status, domestic violence victim status, gender identity or expression, arrest or conviction record, criminal history, credit history, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, unemployment status and salary history.

Manhattan University values and celebrates diversity and is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all employees.

All interested, qualified persons are encouraged to apply.

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.