Director of Strategic Operations (Senior Administrative Program Support)

Director of Strategic Operations (Senior Administrative Program Support)

Apply now Search #: 499743

Work type: Full-time

Location: UConn Hartford

Categories: Administrative Services

JOB SUMMARY

The Wells Fargo Center for Neurodiversity & Inclusive Employment at the University of Connecticut is seeking a full-time Director of Strategic Operations (Senior Administrative Program Support). The incumbent will report to the Executive Director of the Wells Fargo Center for Neurodiversity & Inclusive Employment (the "Center") and will integrate strategy, operations, finance, and program execution into a unified infrastructure that enables the Center to scale its work across employers, universities, community partners, and communities of neurodivergent job seekers.

The Director exercises operational financial authority within the Center over operational financial decisions, including budget monitoring for a $3.75M multi-year grant, expenditure approval, vendor contract management, and financial reporting to external funders. The position supervises staff members and serves as the Center's second-most senior representative at the university level.

This is a 12-month, end-date, annually renewable position. The position will be based in Hartford but may require travel to Storrs or other regional campuses, as well as other locations in-state and out-of-state. This position will also require occasional weekend and evening hours in support of program activities and events.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Operational Leadership

• Translates Center-wide strategic priorities into operational plans, processes and systems that enable execution, growth, and national leadership.
• Anticipates organizational needs, identifies operational risks, and develops solutions that ensure operational and program integrity and sustainability.
• Serves as a key strategic partner and primary advisor to the Executive Director, shaping and making recommendations for planning, resource allocation, and long-term operational directions.

Enterprise Systems Design & Organizational Infrastructure

• Builds and optimizes workflow systems, contracting processes, procurement pathways, CRM and data structures, and reporting mechanisms. Designs the infrastructure that ensures institutional compliance, operational continuity, and stakeholder confidence.
• Establishes repeatable, scalable operational practices that support the Center's national expansion across 30+ corporate and university partners.

Strategic Financial Management & Fiscal Stewardship

• Exercises operational financial authority within the Center over operational financial decisions, including budget monitoring, expenditure approval, vendor contract management, and financial reporting to external funders.
• Provides financial modeling and analysis that inform strategic decisions, program viability, and external partnership commitments.
• Creates transparent, accurate, and compliant financial practices that support external funders, UConn leadership, and multi-year growth strategies.

Program & Initiative Execution

• Leads operational execution of the Center's flagship employer education programs across the U.S., including planning, vendor management, scheduling, and partner coordination. Upholds institutional standards for reputation, visibility, and inclusive excellence.
• Resolves real-time issues during delivery, ensuring high-quality outcomes for corporate, university, and community partners.

Cross-Institutional & External Coordination

• Serves as the Center's primary operational liaison with the School of Business Finance, HR, and Administrative Leads, UConn Foundation, Procurement, Accounts Receivable, Cash Operations, Sponsored Programs, Compliance, Legal, and external partner organizations.
• Represents the Center in operational matters with Wells Fargo program officers, UConn Foundation, Sponsored Programs, and corporate partner organizations; second in seniority representing the Center at the university level, ensuring operational alignment with institutional priorities and sponsor requirements.
• Strengthens UConn's leadership in neurodiversity and workplace inclusion through effective operational partnerships and academic research projects.

Staff Supervision, Leadership & Team Enablement

• Directly supervises full-time and part-time staff members, including setting performance objectives, providing feedback and coaching, conducting performance evaluations, and managing workload allocation. Delegates tasks strategically to enable team efficiency and maintain operational integrity.
• Develops training materials, workflow guides, templates, and tools to support staff adoption of new systems, policies, and practices.

Data, Reporting & Strategic Insights

• Builds and maintains dashboards integrating financial, operational, and program activity; uses data to infirm strategic decisions, resource allocation, and continuous improvement.
• Produces reports for University leadership, funders, and partners.

Confidentiality & Professional Standards

• Manages sensitive financial, contractual, personnel, and partner information with discretion befitting a senior University representative.
• Upholds the professional standards expected of a leadership position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in psychology or business administration.
• Five to six years of progressively responsible experience in operations, program management, or administrative leadership. At least two years of experience must be serving as an advanced/senior team member or working as a project lead.
• Demonstrated experience in financial management, including budget oversight, expenditure approval, and reporting to external funders or sponsors.
• Demonstrated experience directly supervising professional staff, including setting priorities, conducting evaluations, and managing performance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder projects independently and to exercise sound judgment without direct supervision.
• Demonstrated professionalism in writing and interpersonal communication to build and maintain collaborative relationships with university leadership, external funders, corporate partners, and community organizations.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products, CRM systems, and data reporting tools.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in business administration.
• Background in financial or management consulting, preferably within a professional accounting services firm.
• Previous work in a role focused on identifying and improving operational inefficiencies and leading structured process improvement initiatives and system improvements.
• Experience in a higher education environment, including familiarity with university financial systems, sponsored programs administration, and compliance requirements.
• Experience operating in highly regulated public agencies and similar contexts.
• Experience supporting or managing grant-funded programs, including post-award financial management and funder reporting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of neurodiversity, disability, or workforce inclusion and experience engaging with neurodivergent individuals or populations.
• Experience representing an organization in cross-institutional or external partnership contexts.
• Demonstrated experience developing operational infrastructure, systems, or processes in a growing or scaling organization.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a 12-month, end-date position with the possibility of renewal subject to performance and funding. The salary range for this position is $93,500 to $98,500, depending on education, qualifications and experience. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits, please visit UConn Health Benefits and explore the sections under the Benefits & Leaves and Engagement & Learning headers. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

The chosen candidate must have dependable transportation and the willingness and ability to work evening and weekend hours and travel in-state, out-of-state, and internationally as needed in support of program activities.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at Faculty and Staff Positions, Search #499743 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how they meet the stated minimum qualifications, and any preferred qualifications they may possess, in their application materials.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on August 24, 2026.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee's unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disabilities, veteran's status, status as a victim of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and/or trafficking in persons as defined by Connecticut law, prior conviction of a crime, workplace hazards to the reproductive systems, or gender identity or expression.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer including for Disability and Veteran status.

Advertised: Aug 10 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Aug 24 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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Position Department Search # Location Closes Director of Strategic Operations (Senior Administrative Program Support) Business 499743 UConn Hartford Aug 24 2026 The Wells Fargo Center for Neurodiversity & Inclusive Employment at the University of Connecticut is seeking a full-time Director of Strategic Operations (Senior Administrative Program Support) to integrate strategy, operations, finance, and program execution into a unified infrastructure that enables the Center to scale its work across employers, universities, community partners, and communities of neurodivergent job seekers.

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