Associate Director Network Operations Jobs in Massachusetts

ABOUT SIMMONS

Simmons University is located in Boston’s historic Fenway area. Founded 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to empowering women, Simmons offers Boston’s only women’s undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all. The university has a strong tradition of preparing students to become social justice‑oriented leaders who excel in their professions and communities. Simmons values diversity, equity, and inclusion and is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring practices at all levels.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director or Associate Director of Operations reports to the Dean of the School of Sciences and Health Professions (SSHP) and serves as the school’s senior administrative and operational leader. The role is a strategic thought partner within the SSHP Leadership Team, providing leadership for the school’s operational strategy, administrative infrastructure, and service delivery. Key responsibilities include overseeing the SSHP Operations Team, leading school‑wide operational planning, budget stewardship, process improvement, and serving as a liaison to university partners while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable work environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSStrategic Leadership and School Operations

• Act as a strategic thought partner to the SSHP Dean on operations, priorities, and resource planning.
• Advance the school’s operational strategy in alignment with the Dean and university priorities.
• Contribute to school‑wide planning, implementation, and decision‑making as a member of the SSHP Leadership Team.
• Represent the school in university‑wide operational projects (e.g., Provost’s Office, Human Resources, Workday team, Commencement).
• Coordinate general academic space planning with Facilities, Public Safety, and campus partners.
• Oversee academic scheduling, course staffing, and hiring processes to ensure accurate documentation.

Supervision and Personnel

• Lead the SSHP Operations Team, establishing performance expectations, goals, and development plans.
• Foster a collaborative, responsive, and accountable team culture grounded in service excellence and inclusion.
• Promote adaptability and flexibility, recommending process improvements.
• Support staff cross‑training, coverage planning, and operational continuity.
• Oversee procedural and compliance best practices for hiring, onboarding, and deployment of faculty and staff.
• Manage full‑time faculty appointment letters in collaboration with the Provost’s Office and Human Resources.

Budget Strategy and Resource Stewardship

• Oversee SSHP budget strategy, stewardship, and long‑range operational resource planning in collaboration with the Dean, Finance & Data Manager, and SSHP Leadership Team.
• Provide strategic financial planning recommendations related to operational investments and organizational priorities.
• Review and assess departmental fiscal resources to ensure alignment with revenue projections, need, and university policy.

Compliance and Monitoring

• Ensure faculty‑related processes (tenure, promotion) comply with university and SSHP policy and deadlines.
• Ensure compliance with university policy for adjunct faculty hiring and full‑time faculty teaching loads.
• Maintain and update SSHP websites, handbooks, syllabi, records, and related materials.
• Assist with programmatic accreditation‑related data and compliance needs.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with financial reporting and analyses as needed.
• Collaborate with the Finance & Data Manager on SSHP grants and donor‑related funds.
• Support special projects and additional administrative assignments directed by the Dean.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum 10 years (Director) or 8 years (Associate Director) of professional experience with progressive operational and project management responsibilities.
• Minimum 5 years (Director) or 3 years (Associate Director) of supervisory experience.
• Experience in higher education administration.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with faculty, academic leaders, and central administrative offices.
• Excellent communication skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Leadership experience managing with integrity, influence, and accountability.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize competing interests.
• Experience implementing and managing change.
• Strategic thinking, project management skills, and attention to detail.
• High level of professionalism, flexibility, discretion, judgment, diplomacy, and tact.
• Strong business acumen and prior budget oversight experience.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Zoom, and Google Applications.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree or post‑baccalaureate certificate in higher education administration, business, or a related field.
• Professional experience in operations, administration, academic administration, or related leadership roles.
• Ability to prioritize and sequence projects, identifying required resources.
• Experience working with institutional systems, compliance‑related workflows, and data conversion.

COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Leadership
• Organizational Awareness
• Planning and Prioritization
• Staff Supervision and Development
• Judgment and Discretion
• Confidentiality
• Collaboration and Influence
• Change Management

WORK ENVIRONMENT & CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is a full‑time exempt position (40 hours per week). Occasional evening or weekend work may be required. A hybrid work arrangement may be available, subject to school and university policy. Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Essential physical requirements include sitting, standing, typing, and light lifting (up to 10 lbs).

SALARY INFORMATION

Grade S08 (Associate Director of Operations): $60,100–$95,400.
Grade S09 (Director of Operations): $69,400–$111,300.
This benefits‑eligible position follows pay transparency guidelines. Compensation is based on experience, education, skills, equity, and market benchmarks.

EEO STATEMENT

Simmons University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices for all positions. The university welcomes applications from all under‑represented groups.