Associate Director of Operations

About the Job

Priority Deadline Note: The application review will begin on June 5th, 2026. Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program. This position is hybrid, with potential to be in office 2–3 days on campus.

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is seeking a highly qualified and skilled individual to serve as the Associate Director of Operations. The Associate Director of Operations develops, defines, executes, and evaluates processes that create effectiveness and streamlines procedures and practices to ensure quality services that meet increasing service-delivery demands. The position also oversees human resources, budget, and financial processes, guides the department in its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, coordinates departmental space allocations, and serves as the key contact for outreach, media, and research participation requests. The position exists to support the strategic priorities of the DRC by ensuring that the day-to-day operations of the DRC run smoothly, efficiently, consistently and with fiscal responsibility.

The Associate Director of Operations is a critical member of the DRC Leadership Team, and reports to the Director of the DRC. The Associate Director of Operations is a full-time, year-round, professional/administrative position. The University offers a competitive compensation package, commensurate with experience and background and excellent benefits. This position is eligible for hybrid work.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

I. Strategic Priorities and Process Improvement (34%)

The associate director of operations supports the director, DRC Leadership Team, the Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA), and DRC staff in service of DRC’s strategic priorities. This includes:

• Championing change management strategies within the DRC to create process improvements and greater operational efficiencies.
• Rotating consultation with each unit for strategic support and consistency
• Consultation and planning with DRC units engaging in process change
• Providing support and advice to the director and leadership team with respect to DEI strategy and capacity building efforts:
• Support the DRC’s efforts to combat racism by serving on the DRC’s Anti-Racism Team and supporting development of related resources and processes.
• Ensure the leadership team and their units incorporate equitable and inclusive practices into DRC processes
• Leading, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating internal-facing aspects of DRC strategic priorities
• Identifying, coordinating and maintaining strategic liaison relationships to further DRC’s strategic priorities
• Ensuring consistent practices for DRC external communications, including outreach, media, and research participation requests
• Coordinating consistent practices across units with regard to communications and website, branding, accessibility/Title II compliance
• Managing space planning and acquisition to meet current and future needs.
• Supporting internal operations in the following areas
• Serving as the primary system administrator for Accessibility Information Management (AIM)
• Serving as a point of contact to Office of Student Finance for the DRC yearly scholarship application process
• Supervising at least one administrative support staff within the DRC.
• Other duties consistent with the mission of the Disability Resource Center

II. Human Resources Operations (33%)

• Serving as DRC’s Shared Services HR liaison and maintaining close and constructive working relationships with, and learning practices from, the Morrill Hall Human Resources and OHR teams.
• Coordinating consistent and equitable human resources practices across that DRC by providing human resources leadership, advice, and support to DRC unit management. These processes include:
• Staffing requests
• Consistent and equitable DRC search processes
• DRC hiring/salary decisions to achieve equity in salary processes
• Termination processes in collaboration with OHR and OGC as necessary
• Best practices with regard to retention and performance
• Intra-unit salary equity issues
• Consistent and equitable performance evaluations
• Leaves of absence practices
• Onboarding and offboarding practices and resources

III. Budget/Finance Operations (33%)

• Serving as DRC’s Shared Services Budget liaison and maintaining close and constructive working relationships with the Morrill Hall Budget Team.
• Working with the DRC Leadership Team to manage DRC’s budget process and financial transactions. This includes:
• Ensuring that DRC operates within budget and prepares a budget narrative for outlining rationale for budget underallocation.
• Preparing periodic budget reviews for the DRC Leadership Team and responding as needed for requests for information/modeling from OED, the Budget Office, and other University partners.
• Supporting the DRC’s budget compact strategy and providing documentation and data when requested.
• Supporting DRC units in understanding and managing budget challenges.
• Developing and supporting consistent processes related to vendor contracts.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 6 years of related experience
• Demonstrated progression of experience related to process improvement and change management
• Academic and professional experience administering human resource policies and practices, and advising others with respect to human resource management, professional development and performance management
• Strong financial analysis and budget experience
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with all constituencies across the University and all levels of University administration
• Exceptional planning, analytical, and organizational skills
• Active, collaborative approach to working through conflict
• Demonstrated understanding of the intersection of disability with other identities such as but not limited to racial, ethnic, gender, and spiritual/religious identities. Demonstrated capacity to use this understanding in communication and problem-solving with students and other University stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience in a university or college system working directly with faculty, staff and students in progressively responsible positions to promote intercultural competence and advance diversity, equity and inclusion systemically.
• Advanced degree in relevant field, e.g., law, business, human resource management or human resource development.
• Experience working in a large, decentralized complex organization.
• Project and workgroup management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively meet the demands of multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage stress, adapt to change, and remain professional when managing changing situations.
• Demonstrated capacity to work in a diverse environment and remain positive, proactive, resourceful and efficient.

About the Department

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is charged with identifying and mitigating barriers in learning, working, and other University environments by implementing reasonable disability-related accommodations. The DRC is a comprehensive resource for the University population of over 95,000 faculty, staff and students, as well as for University visitors.

The DRC employs around 70 academic/professional, civil service, and bargaining unit staff, in addition to student workers. DRC staff members are responsible for determining and implementing accommodations for media accessibility, interpreting, captioning, access assistance, physical access and digital access. The DRC approaches requests for reasonable accommodations through robust and highly interactive and individualized processes, and supports the provision of accommodations to provide access to the entire University experience. Together, the DRC team has extensive subject matter expertise, strong relationships within and outside of the DRC, and a deeply consultative and collaborative culture.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $85,000 - $100,000 per year ; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Please submit the following documents online: a cover letter explaining how your background qualifies you for this position, a current resume, and a list identifying three references and their contact information if not included in the resume. If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Emily Ehlinger at eehling@umn.edu.

This document is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact the Disability Resource Center at disability@umn.edu to obtain disability accommodations in this application process.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.