Job # | 042107
Department Code | 23001-4030
Department | CVPA - Dean's office
Job Title | Academic Operations Manager
Location | Syracuse, NY
Pay Range | $67,000 - $73,000
Pay Determination | Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.
Staff Level | S5
FLSA Status | Exempt
Hours | Standard University business hours.
8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)
Hours may vary based on operational needs.
Job Type | Full-time
Campus | Syracuse, NY
Unionized Position Code | Not Applicable
Job Description | The Academic Operations Manager is a key leadership role within the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), responsible for overseeing and optimizing academic administration across the college. This position manages the full faculty lifecycle process, curriculum governance, academic reporting, and compliance with institutional and union policies. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and in partnership with the Senior Director of Budget & Operations, the Academic Operations Manager exercises significant independent judgment and collaborates closely with department chairs, university administrators, and operational staff to ensure excellence in academic operations and strategic alignment with institutional goals.
Education and Experience | Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of experience in academic administration, faculty affairs, or a relative equivalent. Demonstrated success working in a fast-paced, high-level academic unit with complex operations and shifting priorities. Supervisory experience, including task delegation, workflow oversight, and staff support in a higher education setting. Background in curriculum processes, faculty lifecycle management, and academic policy implementation. Experience with academic personnel procedures, including appointment processing and union-related compliance. Proven ability to support data-informed decision-making through tracking, analysis, and reporting.
Skills and Knowledge | Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently and prioritize effectively while managing multiple complex tasks. Skilled at building relationships and collaborating with diverse groups across departments. Proficient in MySlice/PeopleSoft, Curriculog, Acalog, and Microsoft Office. Maintains a professional, positive attitude under pressure in dynamic academic environments.
Responsibilities |
Academic Personnel Management Lead and manage all aspects of faculty appointment processes (searches, hires, appointment letters) for full- and part-time faculty in partnership with the VPA Dean and Senior Director of Budget & Administration. Supervise the preparation and submission of part-time faculty contracts, ensuring accuracy and compliance with HR and union requirements. Oversee faculty onboarding and offboarding processes, including coordination of visa documentation and academic credential verification. Coordinate lifecycle processes such as third-year reviews, sabbatical and research leave requests, resignations, and retirements. Support tenure and promotion processes, offering operational oversight and coordination in collaboration with academic leadership. Monitor and ensure timely submission of annual performance reviews (ARRs) for full-time and part-time faculty. Manage highly confidential information including salary, visa, performance, retirement agreements, leaves, etc.
Curriculum and Catalog Oversight Manage the complete academic curriculum workflow from proposal development through VPA and University Senate approvals. Serve as lead administrator for Curriculog; advise and train faculty and academic staff on proposal preparation and workflow protocols. Coordinate operations of the VPA Curriculum Committee, ensuring alignment with university governance structures. Ensure timely and accurate catalog updates reflecting approved curricular changes, including identification of course inconsistencies.
Operational Leadership and Process Improvement Serve as a key partner to the VPA Dean, Associate Deans, Sr. Director of Budget & Administration, and upper administration, acting as the primary liaison with Central Human Resources, the Office of the Provost/Faculty Affairs, the University Registrar, and other university offices to coordinate and implement academic processes, policy updates, and strategic initiatives. Supervise administrative staff or delegate workflow tasks to ensure timely and accurate execution of academic processes. Develop and refine internal academic operations workflows to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery. Interpret and enforce compliance with institutional policies and collective bargaining agreements (e.g., Adjuncts United).
Data Management and Reporting Generate, analyze, and present reports on academic operations data including course enrollments, faculty loads, hiring trends, and evaluation submissions. Maintain centralized systems for faculty-related data such as CVs, syllabi, and review documentation. Make data-informed recommendations to college leadership to support academic planning, resource allocation, and compliance tracking.
Institutional Engagement & Other Duties Represent Academic Affairs on university committees or special projects as needed. Provide leadership and guidance on academic policy interpretation and implementation. Contribute to institutional goals related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility through process design and staff engagement. Other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements | Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment | Not Applicable
Application Instructions | In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University | Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About the Syracuse area | Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement | Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans | Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community | Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
Quick Link |
https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/110379Job Posting Date | 07/30/2025
Application Deadline |
Full Consideration By |
Job Category | Staff
Message to Applicants |
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
To ensure the security of your data, you will be logged out due to inactivity in 3 minutes at
.
Any data not saved will be lost.
Click 'OK' to keep your session active.