Portfolio Operations Associate Jobs in Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $52,705 and $66,672, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.
Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.
Job Description
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Associate Director of Programs and Operations serves as the operational leader of the Fowler Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit and is responsible for translating strategic priorities into measurable outcomes through effective program leadership, stakeholder engagement, operational management, and resource stewardship. The position expands the Center's capacity by providing leadership for day-to-day operations, program execution, stakeholder experience, financial management, and organizational effectiveness. Working closely with the Executive Director, the role enables greater focus on external partnerships, fundraising, board engagement, faculty collaboration, thought leadership, and long-term strategy. The role requires sound judgment, strong prioritization skills, adaptability, and a high degree of ownership. The successful candidate will be a proactive leader who creates clarity, builds systems, develops relationships, and drives execution across multiple priorities simultaneously. This individual must be comfortable working in an evolving environment, identifying opportunities for improvement, and translating strategic priorities into sustainable operational success.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Lead program portfolio execution and excellence. Provide leadership for the planning, coordination, execution, and continuous improvement of Fowler Center programs, conferences, fellowships, executive education offerings, research initiatives, advisory board activities, and stakeholder engagements. Develop project plans, timelines, communications, participant materials, operational processes, and performance measures. Coordinate facilities, vendors, technology, travel, and event operations while ensuring a consistently high-quality experience for participants, sponsors, faculty, students, and partners. Monitor results and recommend improvements that increase effectiveness, impact, and operational excellence. (30%)
2. Build and sustain strategic stakeholder relationships. Develop and maintain strong working relationships with sponsors, corporate partners, alumni, faculty, students, practitioners, donors, advisory board members, and program participants. Serve as a primary operational representative of the center and ensure commitments are fulfilled, communications are effective, and stakeholder experiences reflect the mission and values of the Fowler Center. Coordinate ongoing engagement activities that strengthen relationships and contribute to the center's long-term sustainability and impact. (25%)
3. Develop operational infrastructure for growth. Design, implement, and continuously improve operational systems, workflows, reporting processes, databases, technology solutions, and organizational practices that increase the center's capacity and scalability. Evaluate opportunities to improve efficiency, leverage emerging technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), and reduce operational complexity while maintaining quality and responsiveness. Build repeatable processes that support continued growth and organizational effectiveness. (20%)
4. Lead financial and resource management. Manage budgets, contracts, purchasing, invoicing, financial reporting, sponsorship fulfillment activities, and resource allocation processes. Monitor financial performance, prepare reports, support planning activities, and identify opportunities to improve stewardship of center resources. Ensure operational decisions support both strategic priorities and long-term sustainability. (15%)
5. Advance strategic initiatives and new opportunities. Support implementation of strategic initiatives, new programs, partnership opportunities, sponsorship activities, and growth initiatives through research, analysis, planning, project leadership, and execution. Collaborate closely with the executive director, faculty leadership, and external stakeholders to translate strategic priorities into actionable plans and measurable outcomes that advance the center's mission and influence. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform other duties as assigned. (<1>
CONTACTS
Department: Daily interaction with the Executive Director, faculty, research staff, Executive Education, Recruitment and Enrollment, Marketing and Communications, Finance, Information Technology, Facilities, and Dean's Office personnel. Regular collaboration with colleagues across Weatherhead to coordinate programs, partnerships, communications, research initiatives, and strategic projects.
University: Frequent interaction with university leadership, faculty, advancement professionals, sponsored research personnel, Marketing and Communications, Purchasing, Accounts Payable, Information Technology Services, Human Resources, and other administrative offices necessary to support Center operations.
External: Frequent interaction with corporate sponsors, donors, advisory board members, alumni, practitioners, nonprofit leaders, community partners, conference participants, faculty collaborators, and organizational leaders. The position serves as a representative of the Fowler Center and Weatherhead School of Management and is expected to cultivate productive professional relationships that support the Center's mission, visibility, sustainability, and impact.
Students: Little or no contact with students. Contact with student employees and graduate assistants.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Direct supervision of student employees, graduate assistants, interns, contractors, temporary employees, and project-based resources supporting Center activities. May assist with recruitment, onboarding, training, work assignment coordination, and performance feedback. May supervise future operational personnel as Center growth warrants.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 5 years of progressively responsible experience in program leadership, operations management, stakeholder engagement, nonprofit administration, higher education administration, project management, business operations, or a related field.
Education: Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex initiatives from concept through execution while maintaining alignment with organizational goals and priorities.
2. Strong operational leadership skills with the ability to establish priorities, allocate resources, and drive execution across multiple concurrent initiatives.
3. Excellent interpersonal skills and professional presence with the ability to build productive relationships with executives, sponsors, donors, faculty, alumni, board members, community leaders, and students.
4. Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism while handling confidential or sensitive information.
5. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively across diverse audiences and stakeholder groups.
6. Proven ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as a collaborative member of a team.
7. Demonstrated adaptability and comfort working in environments characterized by ambiguity, change, and evolving priorities.
8. Ability to identify opportunities for organizational improvement and implement practical solutions that improve efficiency, effectiveness, and stakeholder experience.
9. Experience leading complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities required.
10. Experience managing budgets, contracts, vendors, and organizational resources preferred.
11. Experience supporting externally facing organizations, centers, institutes, executive education programs, research organizations, or mission-driven initiatives preferred.
12. Experience developing operational systems, improving processes, and implementing scalable solutions preferred.
13. Strong financial and business acumen including experience with budgeting, reporting, contracts, purchasing activities, and resource management.
14. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and collaboration technologies, including advanced experience with Excel, reporting tools, presentation development, and project management systems.
15. Ability and willingness to learn, adopt, and effectively utilize emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence tools, to improve operational effectiveness and productivity.
16. Demonstrated commitment to delivering exceptional stakeholder experiences and fostering strong professional relationships.
17. Ability to demonstrated successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
18. Ability to meet consistent attendance requirements.
19. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, students, donors, sponsors, and customers face to face.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Professional office environment with regular interaction with internal and external stakeholders. Fast-paced and highly collaborative work environment requiring flexibility, adaptability, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. Position requires occasional evening and weekend work in support of conferences, advisory board meetings, donor activities, executive education offerings, and stakeholder events. Local and occasional domestic travel may be required. Ability to move program materials and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
Hybrid Eligibility
This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.
EEO Statement
Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.
Reasonable Accommodations
Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.
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