Associate Director of Operations (Engineering Business Office)

We are seeking an Associate Director of Operations who will provide high-level operational and administrative support within a large division that includes multiple units, including departments, centers, institutes, and service lines. “Unit” refers collectively to departments, centers, and institutes. Reporting to the senior leader who oversees divisional operations, this role supports the implementation of strategic and operational initiatives, promotes consistency across administrative practices, and helps ensure operational efficiency and compliance across the division. This position supervises unit administrators or managers and is expected to support team development and performance. The ideal candidate brings strong organizational and communication skills, operational insight, and a collaborative mindset, with a commitment to data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

Job Scope/Complexity

The role involves working closely with unit administrators or managers, as well as department heads, center and institute directors, and divisional leadership to ensure smooth and consistent operations. The Associate Director will assist in the management of the administrative functions, ensuring departmental compliance with institutional, state, and federal educational regulations and requirements.

This role will manage multiple tasks and projects, coordinate across teams, provide operational guidance, and contribute to change and improvement initiatives under the direction of the Senior Director. This role supports a data-informed approach to operational oversight, helping to identify trends, evaluate performance, and guide process improvement initiatives across the division.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist the Senior Director in the implementation of divisional strategic and operational initiatives.
• Support unit administrators or managers in their daily operations, providing guidance and helping resolve issues.
• Supervise assigned unit administrators or administrative personnel, as delegated by the Senior Director, ensuring effective day-to-day operations, performance management, and professional development.
• Promote alignment of unit operations with divisional policies, procedures, and goals.
• Identify, recommend and assist in implementing process improvements to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Coordinate the implementation of new technologies, tools, and systems that support divisional operations.
• Facilitate communication across units and with central offices to ensure alignment and resolve administrative issues.
• Support units in ensuring compliance with institutional policies and applicable educational regulations, in coordination with the Senior Director and relevant administrative offices.
• Monitor compliance with university and external regulations, escalating issues to the appropriate office when needed.
• Assist in gathering data and preparing reports on operational performance, compliance, and project status.
• Develop and implement school-wide standard operating procedures; authors process documentation and lead training to ensure consistent and effective execution.
• Support the onboarding, training, and mentoring new unit administrators.
• Participate in and represent the division in cross-functional working groups or committees, as appropriate.
• Assist in implementing professional development programs to enhance unit administrators’ management skills and performance.
• Assist in ensuring a safe, inclusive work environment by managing risks, meeting health and safety requirements, and implementing risk management strategies.
• Assist in managing change initiatives within the division.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
• Seven years of related experience in operations or project administration positions, preferably in an academic or medical setting. Four of those years must include working in a leadership capacity with management responsibilities, direct involvement in professional development training projects, and/or overseeing administrative functions of a division/department or group of staff.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in related field.
• Experience with process improvement, organizational development, or administrative project management in a complex institution.
• Familiarity with JHU operations and systems, including budgeting, finance and purchasing platforms.
• Professional experience in higher education or an academic medical center.
  
  

Technical Qualifications & Specialized Certifications

• Knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, Word and PowerBI.
• Knowledge of change management, project management, process improvement, and compliance concepts in academic settings.
  
  

Technical Skills And Expected Level Of Proficiency

• Change Management - Advanced
• Interpersonal Skills - Advanced
• Operational Oversight - Intermediate
• Oral and Written Communications - Advanced
• Performance Monitoring and Evaluation - Advanced
• Risk Management - Intermediate
• Regulatory Compliance - Advanced
• Strategic Financial Planning - Intermediate
• Process Improvement - Advanced
• Stakeholder Engagement - Advanced
• Statistical Analysis - Intermediate
  
  

The core technical skills listed are most essential; additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department needs.

Classified Title: Associate Director, Operations

Role/Level/Range: L/04/LF

Starting Salary Range: $98,200 - $171,900 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)

Employee group: Full Time

Schedule: M-F, 37.5 hrs wkly

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Hybrid/Mount Washington Campus

Department name: Engineering Business Office

Personnel area: Whiting School of Engineering