Executive Director of Academic Operations and Strategic Execution

Executive Director of Academic Operations and Strategic Execution

UNO is Nebraska’s public metropolitan research university – a university with strong academic values, diverse programs and learning opportunities, and significant relationships with our community that facilitate engaged teaching and research.

Equal Opportunity Employer – The University of Nebraska at Omaha is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to preventing and eliminating discrimination against employees and prospective employees based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. In support of this policy, the University has implemented programs to recruit, employ, and promote qualified individuals based on knowledge, skills, abilities, and talents.

These factors ensure fairness, equal evaluation, and treatment in our selection decisions and processes.

The Executive Director for Academic Operations and Strategic Execution is a high-level leadership with a strategic role within the university, focused on supporting the chief academic officer in translating the institution’s strategic vision into actionable plans, ensuring implementation, and driving measurable outcomes. This position bridges the gap between high-level strategy and day-to-day operations, emphasizing accountability, alignment, and adaptation in a dynamic academic environment.

• Assist the SVC in developing and refining OAA strategic plans, including academic priorities, research initiatives, student success programs, and resource allocation.
• Design detailed execution frameworks, timelines, and milestones to operationalize strategic goals, ensuring they align with the university’s mission, values, and external factors such as accreditation standards or funding opportunities.
• Identify potential barriers to execution and propose solutions, such as reallocating resources or adjusting priorities based on emerging trends in higher education.
• Work in close collaboration with the Chancellor’s cabinet members and their leadership teams.

• Oversee tracking of key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to assess progress toward strategic objectives, using data analytics and reporting tools to provide insights to the SVC.
• Conduct regular reviews and audits of ongoing initiatives, identifying successes, risks, and improvement areas, and preparing reports or dashboards on enrollment, retention, faculty development, or research productivity.
• Recommend adaptive strategies to address unforeseen challenges, such as budget constraints, policy changes, or external disruptions.

• Serve as a liaison between the SVC and key internal stakeholders, including OAA leadership team, deans, department chairs, faculty senate, executive leadership, and key committees.
• Facilitate cross‑functional working groups or task forces to execute complex projects such as curriculum reforms or external partnerships.

• Provide expert counsel to the SVC on best practices in strategic execution, drawing from knowledge of higher education trends, innovation, and evidence‑based approaches.
• Co‑lead with the Chancellor’s designee on the committee to solicit, select, distribute, and monitor Weitz Innovation Funds.
• Analyze data and research to inform decision‑making, evaluating the impact of new academic programs or feasibility of expansion initiatives.
• Serve as key liaison on behalf of the SVC and OAA on risk management, ethical considerations, and compliance issues related to strategic projects.

• Assist the SVC in leading or co‑leading cross‑functional strategic initiatives in collaboration with other university leaders.
• Advise on budgeting and resource allocation to ensure efficient use of OAA funds, personnel, and infrastructure for strategic priorities.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the academic community.

• Over…