Asst Dir College Operations & Strategic Initiatives (Finance)
Organizational Summary:
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The University of South Florida College of Education serves a community of over 2,200 students and 130 faculty members dedicated to advancing high-quality education through excellence in research, teaching, and learning. Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and fully approved by the Florida Department of Education, the college offers innovative teacher training and collaborative graduate programs aimed at developing educational leaders. In partnership with school districts across the Tampa Bay region, the college is committed to extending proven educational initiatives and exploring new approaches to preparing lifelong learners. Whether pursuing initial teaching certification or advancing professional development through graduate studies, the college provides comprehensive resources and support to help students achieve their educational and career goals.
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Position Summary:
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The Assistant Director of College Operations and Strategic Initiatives is a leadership role responsible for overseeing the comprehensive management of daily operations within the College of Education. This role acts as a vital liaison between centralized university units-including Human Resources, Shared Services (travel, procurement, and purchase orders), and Facilities-to ensure seamless support and operational efficiency.
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The Assistant Director serves as a strategic partner to the Dean and Budget Director, aligning departmental goals with broader university objectives. This role involves close collaboration with Department Chairs and Program Managers to address operational concerns related to academic administration and departmental management. The position provides essential administrative and academic support to Chairs, faculty, staff, and students, fostering an environment of effective service delivery.
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Key responsibilities include managing office operations, procurement processes, facilities management, and other departmental needs. The Assistant Director supervises Department Operations Managers, Facility Manager and other positions deemed necessary to ensure effective supervision and coordination across operational functions.Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree and 8 or more years of related experience, or Master's degree in related field and 4 years of strategic or operational experience. 4 years of relevant experience or a combination of education and experience may substitute for the bachelor's degree.
Preferred Experience: Preferred experience includes extensive operational management within higher education or a similarly complex organizational environment, along with demonstrated leadership in supervising teams and overseeing cross-departmental functions. Candidates should possess excellence in strategic planning, communication, and interpersonal skills, as well as proven ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, administrators, and external stakeholders.
FLSB1310 Equivalency:
4 years of directly relevant experience may be substituted for bachelor's degree.
6 years of directly relevant experience may be substituted for master's degree.Working at USF
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With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
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About USF
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The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .
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Compliance and Federal Notices
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This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
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Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws :
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Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
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Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.Strategic Oversight and Collaborative Planning of Department Operations and Initiatives: Partner with college leadership including the Dean and Budget Director to develop and implement strategic initiatives that advance departmental and university goals. Facilitate communication and collaboration across units to align operational strategies with academic and institutional priorities.
Provide leadership and direction to Department Operations Managers and the Facility Manager, ensuring their teams effectively manage day-to-day departmental functions. Establish clear goals and performance metrics aligned with the college's strategic objectives.
Operations and Administrative Services: Supervise the department's administrative functions through direct oversight of managers responsible for daily office management, student and faculty support services, and general administrative procedures. Ensure operational efficiency, responsiveness, and adherence to university policies.
Ensure that Department Operations Managers oversee the management of departmental budgets, including allocations for academic programs, administrative functions, and facilities. Review financial reports regularly, analyze variances, and guide corrective actions to maintain fiscal responsibility and alignment with institutional priorities. In addition, work closely with Shared Services to follow university policies and best practices for purchasing, vendor relations, and contract management. Promote cost-effective purchasing strategies that support department and university goals.
Guide Facility Manager in maintaining and optimizing campus facilities to meet departmental needs. Ensure compliance with safety standards, coordinate space utilization plans, and oversee minor renovations or maintenance projects aligned with strategic priorities.
Operational Policy Development and Compliance: Lead efforts to develop, implement, and monitor operational policies and procedures. Ensure departmental compliance with university, state, and federal regulations, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Liaison and Relationship Management: Act as the primary operational liaison between the college and centralized university units (HR, Shared Services, Facilities). Promote strong working relationships, ensure effective communication, and resolve complex operational issues through strategic coordination.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilize operational data and reporting to inform strategic planning, resource allocation, and process improvement initiatives. Encourage a culture of continuous assessment and data-informed decision-making within the operational teams.
Performs other duties as assigned.
