Senior Director-Strategic Operations - (Onsite)

Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our strategic plan. These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

About Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school.

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:

1. Students are our top priority.

2. We strive for excellence.

3. We thrive on diversity.

4. We celebrate collaboration.

5. We champion innovation.

6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.

7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.

8. We act ethically.

9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Lead key business functions within an academic or business unit, including customer service, quality assurance, continuous improvement, change management, portfolio and project management, etc. In coordination with unit leadership, ensure operational excellence by optimizing efficiency, cultivating a customer-focused culture, ensuring compliance of key deliverables, and driving transformative initiatives that align with the organization's strategic objectives. Lead teams that design and deliver operational process lifecycle improvements and build this competency among assigned staff. Responsible for setting employee and/or group goals, deciding on organizational structure to meet the goals, assessing employee and/or group performance and providing feedback, and making pay recommendations.

This position will interact on a regular basis with: Unit leadership, staff, and external stakeholders.

This position typically will advise and counsel: Unit leadership, external unit leadership, and staff.

This position will supervise: Assigned staff.

Job Duty 1 -
Oversee and manage the strategic operations of the unit while ensuring the Operations function provides resources and expertise to support functional units in delivering top-tier services and achieving operational efficiency. Align operational initiatives with organizational goals to drive impactful results.

Job Duty 2 -
Oversee the daily operations of customer service, quality management, continuous improvement, change management, and program and portfolio management, ensuring seamless execution and alignment with organizational priorities. Lead efforts to assess, enhance, and optimize processes to support sustained excellence.

Job Duty 3 -
Foster a collaborative, innovative, and performance-driven workplace culture that promotes continuous learning, professional development, and a commitment to quality and customer service excellence. Mentor and develop team members, ensuring alignment with organizational values and goals.

Job Duty 4 -
Represent the Operations function in governing body meetings, promoting transparency, collaboration, and the identification of improvement opportunities through constructive feedback. Actively engage with stakeholders to build trust and align goals.

Job Duty 5 -
Oversee staffing needs, performance evaluations, and professional development of Operations staff. Manage budgetary responsibilities and ensure efficient allocation of resources to support operational objectives.

Job Duty 6 -
Serve as a key liaison with Internal Auditing, schools, colleges, and other units to foster strong partnerships and ensure alignment of operational practices. Collaborate with external and internal stakeholders to enhance service delivery and operational standards.

Job Duty 7 -
Develop and analyze KPIs and metrics and monitor performance data to evaluate outcomes against service and operating level agreements. Identify performance gaps and implement solutions to enhance processes, workflows, and service delivery. Oversee the creation, delivery, and documentation of training programs, administrative systems, and workflows. Ensure processes are well-documented, accessible, and continuously updated to reflect best practices.

Job Duty 8 -
Lead organizational change initiatives by effectively communicating and preparing stakeholders for operational transitions. Drive a culture of adaptability and excellence by ensuring all change efforts align with organizational goals and priorities.

Job Duty 9 -
Champion initiatives to identify inefficiencies and implement innovative solutions for process improvement. Stay informed of industry trends and best practices to proactively enhance the organization's operational capabilities.

Job Duty 10 -
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Educational Requirements
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.

Other Required Qualifications
Required Certifications, Licenses or Permits:

At least one of the following:
o Project Management Professional (PMP)
o Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP)
o American Society for Quality certification (CQM, CQE, or CQA)
o Process Improvement (Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt)

Required Experience
Eight or more years of job-related experience. Eight or more years of Senior Leadership (Director Level) experience in operations management, leading customer service, continuous improvement, change management, managing large-scale initiatives, quality assurance and managing cross-functional projects.

Preferred Educational Qualifications
Master's Degree in Business Administration, Operations Management or related field.

Preferred Experience
Eight to Ten years of Senior Leadership (Director Level) experience in operations management, leading customer service, continuous improvement, change management, managing large-scale initiatives, quality assurance and managing cross-functional projects.

Salary Range - $155,000 - $167,000

Location: Onsite

ABILITIES
o Ability to handle objects weighing 25 pounds or more
o Ability to interpret complex datasets and extract actionable insights
o Ability to balance long-term objectives with day-to-day operational demands
o Ability to inspire and align cross-functional teams with a clear vision and direction

PREFERRED:
o Ability to demonstrate a deep commitment to exceeding customer expectations
o Ability to build strong relationships across all levels of the organization to drive change
o Ability to anticipate challenges and opportunities, aligning teams to deliver high-impact results

KNOWLEDGE
o Expertise in process optimization and resource allocation
o Demonstrated deep understanding of customer needs and expectations

PREFERRED:
o Experience in thriving in fast-paced environments, addressing complex issues with creativity and precision

SKILLS
o Skilled in guiding teams through complex transitions while minimizing resistance
o Strong verbal and written communication skills to influence stakeholders and drive alignment

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests.

This is not a supervisory position.
This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position will not travel.
This position does not require security clearance.

Successful candidate must be able to pass a position of trust of background check. Please visit http://policylibrary.gatech.edu/employment/pre-employment-screening