Job Title: Director of Operations
Department: Finance
Supervisor: Vice President of Finance
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Schedule: Regular, 12 mo., FT, M-F (occasional nights and weekends)
Job Summary: The Director Operations provides leadership and operational oversight for the university’s facilities, campus operations, campus safety and security, food service and related contractual partners. Reporting to the Vice President for Finance, the Director ensures that campus operations, infrastructure, and vendor partnerships are efficient, safe, sustainable, and aligned with the university’s mission and long-term goals
The Director of Operations sets a high standard for customer service, operational excellence, and collaboration, creating a welcoming, well-functioning campus environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
This position is ideal for a proven operations leader with strong people leadership, project management, and vendor oversight experience who is excited to apply those skills in a mission-driven, campus-based environment. Experience in higher education is valued but not required; candidates from healthcare, K–12 education, corporate operations, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, or other complex service environments are encouraged to apply.
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Lead and support direct report and contracted service partners through clear expectations, accountability, and professional development.
- Develop and implement operational and facilities strategies that support institutional priorities, sustainability goals, and financial stewardship.
- Partner with university leadership to ensure campus services and infrastructure align with institutional growth, student experience, and long-term planning.
- Provide oversight of capital planning, construction, and renovation projects, ensuring adherence to budgets, timelines, safety, and accessibility standards.
- Establish and continuously improve policies, procedures, and operational standards using industry best practices.
Financial and Administrative Oversight
- Develop, manage, and monitor operating budgets for campus operations units.
- Collaborate closely with Finance to ensure effective resource management and fiscal accountability.
- Implement performance metrics, reporting tools, and continuous improvement practices.
- Oversee purchasing and contract management processes, identifying efficiencies and cost-saving opportunities while maintaining service quality and compliance.
Facilities and Campus Operations
- Oversee the daily campus infrastructure and services, including management of university partnerships (Maintenance, Custodial, Dining, Safety and Security)
- Implement and manage preventive maintenance and asset management programs to ensure long-term functionality, safety, and reliability of facilities and equipment.
- Coordinate with external vendors, contractors, consultants, and suppliers to deliver quality services and projects on time and within scope.
- Provide oversight and coordination for both short-term operational needs and long-range campus improvement initiatives.
- Collaborate with Student Life, Conference and Events, and other campus partners to support housing and event operations.
Campus Safety and Security
- Provide strategic oversight for campus safety, security, emergency management, and environmental health and safety functions.
- Supervise and support the Coordinator of Campus Safety, ensuring clear roles, adequate resources, and effective performance.
- Ensure institutional compliance with applicable safety regulations (e.g., Clery, Title IX safety-related requirements, OSHA, state and local codes) through policy oversight and collaboration.
- Serve as a senior leader on the Crisis Management Preparedness Team, supporting emergency preparedness, response coordination, and continuous improvement.
- Oversee security-related vendor contracts and review safety metrics and risk trends to inform leadership decisions and resource allocation.
Food Services
- Oversee contracted service providers to ensure compliance with service agreements, brand standards, and performance expectations.
- Monitor vendor performance to ensure cost-effective operations and a high-quality student and customer experience.
- Collaborate with Student Life, and other campus partners.
Cross-Campus Collaboration
- Build strong working relationships with academic, student life, and administrative leaders to align operational services with campus needs.
- Support special events, relocations, and campus changes by coordinating facilities and operational resources.
- Serve as a collaborative problem-solver and trusted operational partner across the institution.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Demonstrated success leading teams in complex operational environments.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Experience overseeing vendors, contracts, and service partners.
- Collaborative leadership style that encourages innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement working across the school.
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and service-oriented workplace culture.
- Data-informed decision-making skills, including experience using metrics to evaluate performance and guide improvements.
- Sound financial and budget management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across diverse stakeholder groups.
- High degree of integrity, professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as operational needs require.
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through.
- Ability to manage confidential information appropriately and professionally.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in administrative, business or project management, organizational leadership or related fields is preferred. A minimum of 5 years of successful experience in operations leadership is preferred.
Physical Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands and fingers, to handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The employee must occasionally travel to meetings and conferences off campus, which may include some overnight travel.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
The Director of Operations supervises 1 direct report including professional and support personnel. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Skills Required
- Demonstrated success leading teams in complex operational environments
- Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
- Experience overseeing vendors, contracts, and service partners
- Collaborative leadership style that encourages innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and service-oriented workplace culture
- Data-informed decision-making skills, including experience using metrics to evaluate performance
- Sound financial and budget management skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- High degree of integrity, professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as operational needs require
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through
- Ability to manage confidential information appropriately and professionally
- Bachelor's degree in administrative, business, project management, organizational leadership or related field
- Minimum of 5 years of successful experience in operations leadership
What We Do
Eastern Mennonite University is a private, not-for-profit university in Harrisonburg, Virginia, offering undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs. It emphasizes academic excellence, service, social justice, global engagement, peacemaking, intercultural engagement, and sustainability.
