Senior Operations Director

Position Overview

The Senior Operations Director is a key partner and operational leader in the University of Idaho’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) who drives planning, operations, organizational change, and project execution in support of UI’s strategic plan pillar:
Optimize Operational Excellence. The individual leads initiatives that integrate values and leadership into core operational processes. Through collaboration, innovation, and strategic vision, the role ensures alignment across CALS’s land-grant mission of teaching, research, and extension. This position will also leverage emerging technologies (including AI) and is expected to excel in vision and execution.

• Lead and coordinate strategic planning and operational initiatives to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with institutional goals
• Direct organizational change efforts, implementing systems, processes, and structures that support operational excellence
• Oversee cross-functional projects from concept through execution, ensuring timely and successful outcomes
• Integrate college values and leadership principles into core operational processes to support a strong organizational culture
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and university partners to ensure alignment across CALS’s land-grant mission of teaching, research, and extension
• Identify opportunities for innovation, streamline processes, and support data-informed decision-making
• Provide strategic guidance to CALS leadership on operational priorities, resource planning, and organizational needs

• Seven years of experience in higher education leadership, organizational transformation, or strategic planning
• Managing complex, multi-million-dollar initiatives and coordinating multi-site teams
• Experience in facilitation, executive coaching, stakeholder engagement, and systems thinking
• Written communication skills as evidenced by application materials

• Master’s Degree in organizational development, business administration, agricultural sciences, or a related field

• Ability to travel
• Ability to work nonstandard business hours, including occasional weekends and holidays as needed

• Exceptional verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Experience in organizational leadership within agricultural sciences or higher education, preferably at a land‑grant university
• Advanced skills in change management, technology adoption, and leadership development
• Demonstrated success in capital project management, policy development, and infrastructure planning
• Familiarity with the University of Idaho’s financial, operational, and reporting frameworks
• Experience fostering external engagement with USDA, state agencies, and rural stakeholder groups

• None

• Resume/CV
• List of References
• Transcripts
• Letter of Qualification

Applications received by December 28, 2025, will receive first consideration. To be considered, your Letter of Qualification must address each of the minimum qualifications, including pertinent education and/or experience. In addition, to improve your ranking during the evaluation process, address as many of the Preferred Qualifications as possible. Information on a resume will not be accepted as a substitute for submitting a Letter of Qualification.

For questions directly related to this position, please contact:
Dr. Madison (Matt) Powell
Associate Dean and Director, IAES
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
University of Idaho
mpowell

If you would like to receive a full position description, please email Dayna Willis at dwillis and request that one be sent to you.

Applicants who are selected as final possible candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.

The University of Idaho is an equal employment opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • Academic Careers
  • Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU)
  • Chronicle
  • Facebook
  • Higher Ed/Academic Impressions
  • Higher Ed Jobs
  • Idaho Department of Labor/Job Service including Job Central or Idaho Works (Idahoworks.gov)
  • Inside Higher Ed
  • Linked In
  • Newspaper
  • Other Venue
  • Professional Listservs (Ex: NACUBO, AAAE, ISMC, etc.)
  • University of Idaho Website
  • University of Idaho Daily Register
  • University of Idaho Employee
  • Word of Mouth
  • Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
• * Were you referred to this employment opportunity by a current University of Idaho employee? If so, please provide their name and department.

  (Open Ended Question)