Strategic Operations Director - Academic Admin & Finance

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin seeks an Assistant Director of Operations for the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. The role provides strategic and operational leadership across administrative, financial, IT, and research administration, reporting to the Department Chair and partnering with the Jackson School of Geosciences.

Responsibilities include budgeting, policy development, staff leadership, and alignment with university priorities, while ensuring regulatory compliance and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and seven years of progressively responsible experience in administration, business operations, finance, management, or higher education administration.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing complex budgets and analyzing financial data to support operational planning and decision-making.
• Experience overseeing multiple administrative functions, such as accounting, business operations, contracts and grants administration, travel, information technology, or related areas.
• Experience interpreting and applying organizational policies, procedures, regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience, such as managing and developing staff.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across all levels of an organization.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Department Chair by translating priorities into operational plans and coordinating implementation across administrative functions.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and coordination for administrative managers and staff, ensuring alignment and execution across operational areas.
• Manage and develop administrative staff, fostering a culture of customer service, accountability, collaboration, cross-training, and continuous improvement.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate departmental policies, procedures, and workflows to improve operational effectiveness.
• Oversee contracts, grants, financial reporting, and sponsored project administration in coordination with faculty and central offices.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Staff supervision

Policy development

Communication

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

IT systems

Job description

The University of Texas at Austin seeks an Assistant Director of Operations for the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. The role provides strategic and operational leadership across administrative, financial, IT, and research administration, reporting to the Department Chair and partnering with the Jackson School of Geosciences.

Responsibilities include budgeting, policy development, staff leadership, and alignment with university priorities, while ensuring regulatory compliance and