Executive Operations Manager

Job Title Executive Operations Manager

Department UCM Strategic Operations

Worker Type Regular

Pay Type Salary

Position Salary Minimum $60,000

Position Salary Maximum $65,000 Salary will be commensurate with the level of the position, education, and experience.

Scheduled Weekly Hours 40

Benefit Eligible Yes

Screening Date 2026-11-05

Job Description Summary Established in 1809, Miami University consistently ranks among the top national public universities for providing students with a superior education and exceptional value. Miami is located in the quintessential college town of Oxford, Ohio, with polytechnic campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, a European study center in Luxembourg, and a 100% virtual option in Miami Online. A comprehensive research university, Miami empowers students to engage with premier teacher-scholars and benefit from a well-rounded liberal arts foundation and vibrant campus experience to develop lifelong skills for any career. With more than 240,000 high-achieving alumni, students gain access to an extensive and supportive community that opens doors globally and leads to amazing outcomes. With an ambition to effect meaningful change, Miami delivers the resources and experiences that prepare graduates to learn with purpose and lead with courage.

Miami University’s Communications and Marketing department has been charged with building and maintaining the university’s brand on a local, regional, and national stage. This dynamic and award-winning team is comprised of over 70 marketing and communications professionals and is looking to hire an executive operations manager.

Reporting to the senior director of strategic operations and resource management with dotted lines to the vice president and chief marketing and communications officer and the director of project management, the executive operations manager provides operational and project management support to the vice president. This role combines executive-level administrative functions with high-level project leadership, ensuring that institutional initiatives are managed effectively and that the VP is positioned for maximum impact.

This position has been approved for remote hybrid work: four days on campus, one day remote. Remote work is not a right, it is a work arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason, including the convenience of the University.

Job Description Duties and Responsibilities Project Management (40%)

• Develop comprehensive project plans, particularly for projects that originate from the vice president and/or support administrative initiatives, defining project objectives, timelines, resources, and budgets in alignment with communications and marketing strategies.
• Lead project execution, overseeing tasks, schedules, and milestones, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, storytelling, academic marketing, and enrollment marketing teams to ensure cohesive project integration and successful delivery.
• Maintain clear and consistent communication with stakeholders, providing regular updates on project progress, potential risks, and solutions.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, including project plans, status reports, and post-project evaluation reports for continuous improvement.
• Serve as an expert user of our project management tool and processes, and update templates for our processes as needed.

Vice President Support (30%)

• Serve as the primary operations liaison for the Vice President, including managing scheduling, preparing agendas, coordinating meeting logistics, arranging travel, and overseeing timely follow-up on action items.
• Anticipate the needs of the Vice President by proactively managing priorities, deadlines, and commitments.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and briefing materials for the Vice President.
• Provide Vice President daily or weekly review of project management approval queue to ensure deadlines are anticipated and met.

Operations (30%)

• Support the senior director of strategic operations and resource management in managing the University Communications and Marketing budget, including but not limited to annual budget planning and monthly budget reconciliation.
• Lead the management of University Communications and Marketing’s student worker program, including but not limited to creating and implementing standard operating procedures, coordinating onboarding processes, supporting student worker managers, and serving as the primary liaison with student employment.
• Assist the senior director of strategic operations and resource management with human resource functions, as needed.
• Identify opportunities to streamline operational workflows and recommend improvements to enhance departmental efficiency and resource utilization.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree

• At least three (3) years of experience in operations or project management.

• The executive operations manager must obtain their Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification within 2 years of employment. Miami will provide funding for the coursework and exam. If a candidate has a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification upon hire, this will satisfy this qualification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education, nonprofit management, or mission-driven organizations.
• Demonstrated experience supporting senior executives, including managing high-volume workflows, confidential information, and shifting priorities.
• Experience with financial tracking, budget development, or resource management.
• Additional certifications in project management are preferred.
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Wrike, Monday.com)

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively to varied audiences and across teams.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage complex tasks, set priorities, meet deadlines, and lead projects.
• Ability to collaborate and contribute in a team environment, as well as demonstrate initiative, independence, and sound judgment in decision-making.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in all work.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and execute executive-level initiatives with minimal oversight.
• Ability to navigate sensitive issues with discretion and maintain strict confidentiality in all communications.
• Strong analytical and operational problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate processes and recommend improvements.
• Ability to interpret and apply administrative policies, organizational practices, and budgetary procedures.
• Proficient in project management tools (e.g., Wrike, Asana, Monday, TeamDynamix, etc.) and methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, etc.).

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate across teams and manage stakeholders.
• Familiarity with higher-education organizational structures, decision-making processes, and institutional governance.
• Experience developing or maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs) or organizational process documentation.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and present operational or project-related data to leadership.
• Skill in planning and executing large or high-visibility meetings, events, or executive engagements.
• Ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment and manage shifting priorities with composure.

Additional Position Information (if applicable)

Required Application Documents Applicants must submit both a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Special Instructions (if applicable) None

Additional Information A criminal background check is required. All campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free campuses.

This organization participates in E-Verify.

Remote Work For positions that are approved for remote work: Remote work is not a right, it is a work arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason, including the convenience of the University.

Reasonable Accommodations Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to [email protected] or 513-529-3560. Questions and follow-ups regarding requests should also be directed here.

Miami University Values Statement Miami University is a scholarly community whose members believe that a liberal education is grounded in qualities of character as well as of intellect. We respect the dignity of other persons, the rights and property of others, and the right of others to hold and express disparate beliefs. We believe in honesty, integrity, and the importance of moral conduct. We defend the freedom of inquiry that is the heart of learning and combine that freedom with the exercise of judgment and the acceptance of personal responsibility.

For more information on Miami University’s mission and core values, please visit the Mission and Core Values webpage.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement Miami University, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encourages applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities, programs or employment practices. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to [email protected] or 513-529-3560.

Clery Act As part of the University’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe living, learning, and working environment, we encourage you to read Miami University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report at: http://www.MiamiOH.edu/campus-safety/annual-report/index.html, which contains information about campus safety, crime statistics, and our drug and alcohol abuse and prevention program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus and at university events and activities. This report also contains information on programs and policies designed to prevent and address sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Each year, email notification of this website is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Written notification is also provided to prospective students and employees. Hard copies of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report may be obtained from the Miami University Police Department at 513-529-2223.

Labor Law Posters for Applicants Please visit our Labor Law Posters webpage to access all relevant and applicable labor law information.