Arizona State University
Assistant Director of Operations
🇺🇸
Hybrid - Tempe, FL
🕑
Full-Time
💰
$90K - $110K
💻
Operations
🗓️
May 20th, 2026
Edtech.com's Summary
Arizona State University is hiring an Assistant Director of Operations. This role leads the Department of Physics' operations, overseeing finance, human resources, faculty affairs, academic operations, and research administration to support academic and research missions. The position manages a team of six professionals, ensures regulatory compliance, and drives operational improvements in a complex academic environment.
Highlights
- Lead daily administrative operations within the Department of Physics, covering finance, HR, academic operations, and research administration.
- Manage departmental budgets, financial reporting, purchasing, and audits ensuring compliance with university and sponsor regulations.
- Oversee HR functions including recruitment, payroll, employee relations, and faculty personnel processes such as appointments, evaluations, and tenure support.
- Provide leadership and mentorship to a team of six professional staff promoting collaboration and professional development.
- Support academic program operations including teaching appointments, course scheduling, and student employment.
- Supervise post-award research administration to ensure financial accuracy, compliance, and effective project management.
- Require experience managing operations in higher education or research environments and strong skills in financial oversight, HR management, and staff supervision.
- Experience with enterprise systems such as Workday or PeopleSoft is essential.
- Salary range between $90,000 and $110,000 annually, depending on experience.
- The role involves a hybrid flexible work arrangement after onboarding and requires sound judgment, problem-solving skills, and commitment to operational excellence.
Assistant Director of Operations Full Description
Job Profile:Administrative Operations Manager 2
Job Family:Administrative Operations
Time Type:Full time
Max Pay - Depends on experience:$110,000.00 USD Annual
Apply before 11:59 PM Arizona time the day before the posted End Date.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field including two (2) years managerial experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Job Profile Summary:
Manages the intermediate to complex operations of a department within the division. Monitors budget, implements strategic priorities, and prepares reports for senior management.
Job Description:
Assistant Director of Operations
Salary Range: $90,000 - $110,000 annually, DOE
Salary Range: $90,000 - $110,000 annually, DOE
Position Summary
The Assistant Director of Operations serves as a senior operational leader within the Department of Physics and plays a critical role in supporting the department's academic, research, financial, and administrative mission. Reporting directly to the Department Chair, this position provides leadership and operational oversight across finance, human resources, faculty affairs, academic operations, and research administration functions.
The Assistant Director manages a team of six professional staff members and partners closely with department and college leadership to ensure efficient operations, strong internal controls, regulatory compliance, and exceptional customer service. This position is responsible for managing complex operational priorities in a fast-paced academic and research environment while balancing strategic planning with day-to-day operational execution.
The ideal candidate is a proactive, solutions-oriented leader who thrives in a collaborative environment and demonstrates initiative, strong analytical thinking, sound judgment, and a continuous improvement mindset. Successful candidates will be comfortable navigating ambiguity, independently solving problems, building strong relationships, and leading operational change initiatives that improve efficiency, service, and organizational effectiveness.
Department leadership may offer standard or alternative schedules that best meet operational and business needs.
The Assistant Director manages a team of six professional staff members and partners closely with department and college leadership to ensure efficient operations, strong internal controls, regulatory compliance, and exceptional customer service. This position is responsible for managing complex operational priorities in a fast-paced academic and research environment while balancing strategic planning with day-to-day operational execution.
The ideal candidate is a proactive, solutions-oriented leader who thrives in a collaborative environment and demonstrates initiative, strong analytical thinking, sound judgment, and a continuous improvement mindset. Successful candidates will be comfortable navigating ambiguity, independently solving problems, building strong relationships, and leading operational change initiatives that improve efficiency, service, and organizational effectiveness.
Department leadership may offer standard or alternative schedules that best meet operational and business needs.
Essential Duties
Operational Leadership & Administration
• Serve as a key member of the department leadership team and contribute to operational planning, strategic initiatives, and organizational decision-making.
• Oversee the day-to-day administrative operations of the department, ensuring effective coordination across finance, HR, academic operations, and research administration functions.
• Lead operational planning efforts and identify opportunities to improve processes, workflows, communication, and service delivery.
• Develop, implement, and maintain operational procedures, internal controls, and administrative best practices.
• Foster a collaborative, customer service-focused, and solutions-oriented work environment that supports faculty, staff, students, and research personnel.
• Independently manage complex operational issues while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism.
• Oversee the day-to-day administrative operations of the department, ensuring effective coordination across finance, HR, academic operations, and research administration functions.
• Lead operational planning efforts and identify opportunities to improve processes, workflows, communication, and service delivery.
• Develop, implement, and maintain operational procedures, internal controls, and administrative best practices.
• Foster a collaborative, customer service-focused, and solutions-oriented work environment that supports faculty, staff, students, and research personnel.
• Independently manage complex operational issues while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism.
Financial & Business Operations
• Oversee departmental financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, reconciliations, financial reporting, and fiscal monitoring.
• Develop and manage state, local, designated, gift, and research-related budgets in compliance with university, state, and sponsor regulations.
• Monitor expenditures and financial activity to ensure fiscal responsibility, compliance, and alignment with departmental priorities.
• Prepare financial analyses, projections, and reports to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Oversee purchasing, travel, reimbursements, contracts, and related business operations activities.
• Coordinate audit preparation activities and maintain documentation supporting financial and operational compliance.
• Develop and manage state, local, designated, gift, and research-related budgets in compliance with university, state, and sponsor regulations.
• Monitor expenditures and financial activity to ensure fiscal responsibility, compliance, and alignment with departmental priorities.
• Prepare financial analyses, projections, and reports to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Oversee purchasing, travel, reimbursements, contracts, and related business operations activities.
• Coordinate audit preparation activities and maintain documentation supporting financial and operational compliance.
Human Resources & Faculty Affairs
• Oversee departmental HR operations including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, payroll, employee relations, and personnel transactions.
• Manage academic personnel processes including faculty appointments, evaluations, promotion and tenure support, summer salary administration, and related faculty affairs activities.
• Provide guidance and interpretation regarding university policies, procedures, and employment regulations.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of six staff members while promoting accountability, collaboration, professional development, and cross-functional support.
• Establish clear operational expectations and ensure timely, accurate, and customer-focused service delivery.
• Manage academic personnel processes including faculty appointments, evaluations, promotion and tenure support, summer salary administration, and related faculty affairs activities.
• Provide guidance and interpretation regarding university policies, procedures, and employment regulations.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of six staff members while promoting accountability, collaboration, professional development, and cross-functional support.
• Establish clear operational expectations and ensure timely, accurate, and customer-focused service delivery.
Academic Operations
• Support operational activities related to undergraduate and graduate academic programs.
• Coordinate with department leadership regarding instructional staffing, teaching appointments, and operational support for academic initiatives.
• Assist with operational planning and implementation related to course scheduling, instructional support, and student employment processes.
• Coordinate with department leadership regarding instructional staffing, teaching appointments, and operational support for academic initiatives.
• Assist with operational planning and implementation related to course scheduling, instructional support, and student employment processes.
Research Administration Oversight
• Provide operational oversight and leadership for the department's post-award research administration and sponsored project support functions.
• Supervise and support professional staff responsible for post-award financial management, compliance monitoring, and sponsored project administration.
• Partner with faculty, research staff, and university research administration offices including ORSPA and KE to support effective research operations and compliance.
• Monitor departmental research administration processes to ensure financial accuracy, regulatory compliance, timely reporting, and effective internal controls.
• Support the development and implementation of tools, procedures, and operational improvements that strengthen research administration effectiveness and service delivery.
• Assist in resolving complex research administration and compliance issues while ensuring alignment with university and sponsor requirements.
• Supervise and support professional staff responsible for post-award financial management, compliance monitoring, and sponsored project administration.
• Partner with faculty, research staff, and university research administration offices including ORSPA and KE to support effective research operations and compliance.
• Monitor departmental research administration processes to ensure financial accuracy, regulatory compliance, timely reporting, and effective internal controls.
• Support the development and implementation of tools, procedures, and operational improvements that strengthen research administration effectiveness and service delivery.
• Assist in resolving complex research administration and compliance issues while ensuring alignment with university and sponsor requirements.
Desired Qualifications
• Experience managing operations within higher education, academic, or research environments.
• Experience overseeing complex financial operations, budgeting, and fiscal analysis.
• Experience managing HR operations and academic personnel processes.
• Experience supervising and developing professional staff.
• Experience leading operational improvement and process optimization initiatives.
• Experience supporting post-award research administration and sponsored project management.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively identify challenges, develop solutions, and implement operational improvements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience using enterprise administrative systems such as Workday, PeopleSoft, or related systems.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Experience overseeing complex financial operations, budgeting, and fiscal analysis.
• Experience managing HR operations and academic personnel processes.
• Experience supervising and developing professional staff.
• Experience leading operational improvement and process optimization initiatives.
• Experience supporting post-award research administration and sponsored project management.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively identify challenges, develop solutions, and implement operational improvements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience using enterprise administrative systems such as Workday, PeopleSoft, or related systems.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.
Work Environment
- Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and computer use. Regular activities may require the ability to quickly adjust priorities and manage multiple competing deadlines.
- The position may require standing, walking moderate distances, and occasional lifting up to 20 pounds.
- This position may be eligible for a hybrid flexible work arrangement following successful completion of the initial 60-day onboarding and training period, consistent with department operational needs and university policy.
Core Competencies
• Communicates effectively
• Demonstrates integrity and accountability
• Exercises sound judgment and decision-making
• Builds collaborative relationships
• Leads and develops others
• Learns continuously and adapts to change
• Demonstrates initiative and operational ownership
• Promotes operational excellence and customer service
• Demonstrates integrity and accountability
• Exercises sound judgment and decision-making
• Builds collaborative relationships
• Leads and develops others
• Learns continuously and adapts to change
• Demonstrates initiative and operational ownership
• Promotes operational excellence and customer service
Department Statement
The Department of Physics at Arizona State University is a nationally recognized academic and research department committed to excellence in teaching, research, innovation, and student success. The department supports a collaborative community of faculty, staff, researchers, and students engaged in groundbreaking work across multiple areas of physics and interdisciplinary science.
As part of The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the department manages a complex portfolio of academic programs, sponsored research activity, instructional operations, and administrative services. The department values collaboration, operational excellence, innovation, and a strong service-oriented culture that supports the success of its academic and research mission.
As part of The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the department manages a complex portfolio of academic programs, sponsored research activity, instructional operations, and administrative services. The department values collaboration, operational excellence, innovation, and a strong service-oriented culture that supports the success of its academic and research mission.
Driving Requirement:Driving is not required for this position.
Location:Campus: Tempe
Funding:No Federal Funding
Instructions to Apply:
Current employees, student workers seeking staff opportunities, and students applying for student worker positions must apply directly through the Workday Jobs Hub.
Please use the link below to log in using single sign-on.
https://www.myworkday.com/asu/d/inst/1$9925/9925$22050.htmld
To be considered, your application must include all of the following attachments:
- Cover letter
- Resume or CV
Multiple documents may be uploaded in the attachments section. Alternatively, applicants may combine all required materials into a single PDF for submission. Please ensure uploaded documents are clearly labeled and include your name.
Please ensure your resume includes all employment information in month and year format, for example 6/04 to 8/14, along with job title, job duties, and employer name for each position. Your resume should clearly demonstrate how your experience and background meet the minimum and desired qualifications for this position. Incomplete applications or missing required materials may not be considered.
Important: Do not withdraw your application to make edits. Once an application is withdrawn, it cannot be edited, reactivated, or replaced with a new submission. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact The Office of Human Resources Talent Acquisition before the posting close date.
Graduate Assistant, Intern and part-time positions are counted as half time for experience equivalency, meaning one year equals six months of experience.
Only electronic applications will be accepted for this position. By submitting an application, you confirm that the information provided is accurate and complete.
ASU Statement:
Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions inclusive excellence, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.
ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:
In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.
Relocation Assistance - For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources.
Employment Verification Statement:
ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.
Background Check Statement:
ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.
Fingerprint Check Statement:This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.
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