Senior Operations Director - School of Medicine

Overview

Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) is a nationally recognized academic institution committed to excellence in medical education, research, clinical care, and public service. The School fosters a collaborative, student‑centered environment grounded in equity, innovation, and lifelong learning.

The Office of the Dean provides strategic and operational leadership for the School, overseeing academic departments, research and teaching enterprises, student services, and campus facilities. The Office is responsible for financial and strategic planning, resource allocation, faculty recruitment, and partnerships with clinical affiliates, supporting the effective management of a complex and dynamic academic medical environment.

This is a primarily on‑site role, with an expectation of four days per week on campus and one remote day.

Please review the Application Instructions in this posting for guidance on required cover letter content.

Reporting to the Executive Associate Dean, the Senior Operations Director serves as a key operational leader supporting the School of Medicine's research, academic, and administrative environment through strategic space planning, research infrastructure coordination, facilities operations, and compliance oversight. In this highly collaborative and visible role, the Director will partner closely with faculty, research leadership, and institutional stakeholders to optimize the use of physical space, support evolving research and operational priorities, and advance operational excellence across a complex academic medical environment.

• Oversee and maintain the School's space inventory database, a critical tool for institutional planning and cost analysis
• Manage all office, laboratory, and research space assignments across the School
• Partner with Basic Science Chairs and senior leadership to track and analyze space utilization and research productivity metrics
• Recommend and implement changes to ensure alignment with institutional space use guidelines
• Conduct analyses and provide insights to support strategic decision‑making and long‑term planning

• Collaborate with the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, faculty, and research teams to ensure compliance with chemical and hazardous materials regulations
• Develop and implement improvements to storage, safety infrastructure, and inventory tracking processes
• Support a culture of safety and compliance across laboratory and research environments

• Serve as the primary liaison to Planning, Design & Construction and Facilities teams
• Lead the planning, prioritization, and execution of small‑to‑mid‑sized capital and facilities projects
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with University standards
• Oversee building access processes, including development and management of access protocols and special requests

• Independently manage smaller‑scale renovations, reconfigurations, and installations
• Scope projects, develop implementation plans, and coordinate timelines with internal stakeholders and external vendors
• Partner with IT, teldata, furniture vendors, and other service providers to support project delivery
• Act as a central point of contact for facilities‑related initiatives across the School

• Partner with leadership on capital planning and budgeting for facilities‑related needs
• Support operational priorities and special projects as requested by the Dean's Office What We're Looking For

  We are seeking a strategic, detail‑oriented operations leader with deep experience in facilities management and space planning within complex organizational environments.

  Application Instructions

  Please submit a resume and cover letter (2 pages maximum) for consideration. In your cover letter, please address the following:

  • Describe your experience managing space planning and facilities operations in a complex environment (e.g., academic medical center, research institution, or similar).
  • Highlight any experience supporting laboratory or scientific space,…