Job No. 157257
- Job Title:
- Senior Operations Director
- Employer:
-
University of Idaho
- Location:
-
Moscow , ID
- Posting Date:
- 09-Dec-2025
- Description:
-
Posting Context Statement
The Senior Operations Director is a key partner and operational leader in the University of Idaho’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) who drives planning, operations, organizational change, and project execution in support of UI’s strategic plan pillar: Optimize Operational Excellence. The individual leads initiatives that integrate values and leadership into core operational processes. Through collaboration, innovation, and strategic vision, the role ensures alignment across CALS’s land-grant mission of teaching, research, and extension. This position will also leverage emerging technologies (including AI) and is expected to excel in vision and execution.
Position Overview
The Senior Operations Director serves as a key strategic partner and operational leader within the University of Idaho’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). This position is responsible for advancing planning, operations, organizational change, and project execution to support the University’s strategic plan pillar: Optimize Operational Excellence. The role drives continuous improvement and ensures high-quality, efficient operations across the college.
Duties may include
Lead and coordinate strategic planning and operational initiatives to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with institutional goals
Direct organizational change efforts, implementing systems, processes, and structures that support operational excellence
Oversee cross-functional projects from concept through execution, ensuring timely and successful outcomes
Integrate college values and leadership principles into core operational processes to support a strong organizational culture
Collaborate with faculty, staff, and university partners to ensure alignment across CALS’s land-grant mission of teaching, research, and extension
Identify opportunities for innovation, streamline processes, and support data-informed decision-making
Provide strategic guidance to CALS leadership on operational priorities, resource planning, and organizational needs
Other duties as assigned
Unit URL
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences | University of Idaho
Position Qualifications
Required Experience
Seven years of experience in higher education leadership, organizational transformation, or strategic planning
Managing complex, multi-million-dollar initiatives and coordinating multi-site teams
Experience in facilitation, executive coaching, stakeholder engagement, and systems thinking
Written communication skills as evidenced by application materials
Required Education
Master’s Degree in organizational development, business administration, agricultural sciences, or a related field
Required Other
Ability to travel
Ability to work nonstandard business hours, including occasional weekends and holidays as needed
Additional Preferred
Exceptional verbal and interpersonal communication skills
Experience in organizational leadership within agricultural sciences or higher education, preferably at a land-grant university
Advanced skills in change management, technology adoption, and leadership development
Demonstrated success in capital project management, policy development, and infrastructure planning
Familiarity with the University of Idaho’s financial, operational, and reporting frameworks
Experience fostering external engagement with USDA, state agencies, and rural stakeholder groups