Director of Programs and Operations - Associated Colleges of the South

As the Director of Programs and Operations at Emory University, you'll be responsible for overseeing the administration of initiatives like the Mellon-funded ACS Academic Leadership Fellows Program and managing day-to-day operations within the Associated Colleges of the South (ACS). You'll engage with member institutions, collaborate on program development, ensure fiscal responsibility, and support resource allocation strategies, all aimed at enhancing the quality of liberal arts education across our network.

The ideal candidate for the Director of Programs and Operations at Emory University will hold a Ph.D. or terminal degree along with at least 7 years of experience in program management, preferably within higher education or a nonprofit context. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in grant administration, strong management abilities, and possess excellent organizational and communication skills, all essential for navigating the demands of this role effectively.

In this position, the Director of Programs and Operations plays a crucial role in advancing Emory University's mission by developing collaborative programs and fostering operational excellence within the Associated Colleges of the South network. Your leadership will ensure that educational initiatives align with institutional goals and respond to the changing landscape of higher education, ultimately promoting teaching excellence and student success across member campuses.

The Director of Programs and Operations will work in a fully remote environment at Emory University, making it a flexible opportunity for candidates looking to maintain a work-life balance. However, occasional travel to member campuses and events (approximately 10%) is required. Candidates should be comfortable managing their responsibilities in a dynamic, remote setting while collaborating effectively with a virtual team.

Budget management is a critical component of the Director of Programs and Operations role at Emory University, as it ensures the effective allocation of resources to support academic initiatives and operational sustainability. You'll be responsible for monitoring spending, ensuring compliance with financial guidelines, and developing long-term strategies that enable the Associated Colleges of the South to thrive within the educational landscape.

When answering this question, highlight specific programs you have managed, focusing on your role, the tasks you undertook, and the impact you had on those programs. Provide examples of successes or challenges faced and how you navigated them, demonstrating your skills in program management and collaboration.

Discuss your approach to gathering input from stakeholders, leveraging technology for program delivery, and ensuring engagement in a virtual context. Emphasize your experience with online tools and platforms that facilitate communication, as well as strategies for evaluating program effectiveness and satisfaction among participants.

Be prepared to talk about your previous roles related to budget development and oversight. Provide concrete examples of budgets you created or managed, discussing any challenges faced and how you ensured compliance while aligning financial resources with program goals.

Explain your strategy for building relationships with key stakeholders, such as utilizing one-on-one meetings, workshops, or surveys to gather input. Share experiences where you successfully collaborated with leaders and how you ensured that their insights were integrated into program design.

Share a specific challenge related to team dynamics, communication, or productivity in a remote setting. Focus on how you approached the issue, the steps you took to resolve it, and what you learned from the experience that could apply to future remote management.

Discuss various evaluation strategies you have used, such as surveys, feedback forms, and performance metrics. Emphasize the importance of continuous improvement and how you adapt future programming based on evaluation results to enhance participant experience and outcomes.

Provide examples of conflicts you've managed and the strategies you employed to resolve them. Discuss your approach to open communication, facilitating discussions, and using mediation techniques to reach a resolution that fosters team harmony and productivity.

Articulate your motivations for pursuing a career in higher education, discussing your experiences that sparked your interest. Share how the opportunity to influence teaching excellence, student success, or institutional development drives you in this field.

Talk about how you actively seek out knowledge through various means, such as attending conferences, participating in professional networks, or following relevant publications. Emphasize how staying informed supports your ability to lead effectively.

Outline specific goals that align with Emory University's objectives. Discuss how you plan to assess current programs, engage with member institutions, and introduce initiatives that support the organization's mission within the first year of your tenure.