Director of Operations and Events

$70,000 - $76,000/Yr

University Of Michigan - Ann Arbor, MI

Full-time - Mid Level

Ann Arbor, MI

Educational Services

About the position

The Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) at the University of Michigan is seeking an experienced Director of Operations and Events (O&E). This role is pivotal in managing a vibrant center that has been a leader in teaching and learning since its inception in 1962. The Director will oversee a team dedicated to fostering a university culture that values teaching and supports diverse learners and instructors. The position involves significant collaboration with faculty, graduate students, postdocs, and administrators to create equitable learning environments. The Director will be responsible for supervising a team of five full-time employees, managing their performance, and ensuring that individual and team goals are met. This includes conducting regular meetings, overseeing workloads, and facilitating professional development opportunities. In addition to supervision, the Director will play a key leadership role within the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), contributing to strategic discussions and policy development. The Director will also be responsible for advancing CRLT's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the O&E area and the center as a whole. This includes fostering a positive work climate and collaborating with staff across the center to enhance operational effectiveness. The role also encompasses administrative responsibilities such as reviewing expenses, developing procedural manuals, and providing on-site support for major events. The Director will assist the Executive Director and Chief of Staff with various office tasks and projects as needed, ensuring that the center operates smoothly and effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor five permanent, full-time employees across several continuing functions, including performance management, training, development, promotion, and compensation.
• Oversee workloads/portfolios, hold benchmark meetings with each O&E staff member to monitor progress on tasks and timelines.
• Intake, process, and assign requests for Project Staff support in areas such as events, grants, graphic design, website, front desk operations, Graduate Teacher's Certificates, travel arrangements, and photography.
• Prepare the agenda for weekly O&E staff meetings and check-in meetings, and oversee the professional development of staff, including planning area retreats and team-building activities.
• Recruit new employees for O&E, including conducting searches and leading the onboarding and offboarding of staff.
• Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), contributing to strategy discussions, policy development, and representing the needs of O&E.
• Provide strategic vision and direction to the O&E area.
• Advance CRLT's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in O&E and the Center more broadly.
• Contribute to policies and practices that foster a positive work climate across CRLT.
• Foster a collaborative relationship between staff who hold similar roles by hosting group conversations with project staff across the center.
• Collaborate on the management of the budget with CRLT's Business Manager.
• Review and approve P-card expenses, hosting expense reports, timesheets, and requests for vacation and time off.
• Develop processes/procedures and oversee the maintenance of procedural manuals for major events and projects.
• Make decisions that align with university policies.
• Provide on-site support for major CRLT orientations and campus-wide events.
• Assist the Executive Director and Chief of Staff with other various office tasks and projects as needed.

Requirements

• 2+ years assisting with or directly supervising, managing, hiring, mentoring, or overseeing the work of staff.
• 5+ years of experience in roles responsible for portfolio management and/or project management and event coordination (virtual and in-person), with proven success in project management.
• Proven success with oral/written communication and interacting comfortably with a variety of professionals and constituents.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, especially Word and Excel, as well as calendar/scheduling software and Google online collaboration tools.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Capability of regularly transporting and handling items up to 30 pounds, with frequent movement, must be able to remain in a stationary position during entire shift, and the ability to move extensively throughout the office and event venues as needed.