professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks that include numerous retail and restaurant discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates for performing arts events.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The Operations Manager serves as a central point of operational coordination among the Co-Directors, student teams, clients, vendors, School administrative offices, and other internal and external partners. The position provides agency Co-Directors with regular updates about project status, resource needs, financial activity, operational performance, and emerging issues requiring attention or resolution. Through these responsibilities, the Operations Manager helps maintain an organized, responsive, and professionally managed agency environment that supports both client service and experiential student learning.
Position Summary
This position may be eligible for hybrid work schedule. Employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.
The temporary full-time Operations Manager is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations of Heelprint 542, a student-powered, faculty-led creative agency housed within the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media. The position oversees the operational execution of client projects and manages the administrative systems, workflows, resources, and business support activities necessary for the agency to operate effectively.
The Operations Manager coordinates multiple concurrent client projects from initiation through completion. The position establishes and monitors project schedules, milestones, deliverables, staffing plans, and related documentation; identifies and addresses operational risks or delays; and helps ensure that agency work is completed on schedule, meets established professional standards, and aligns with priorities established by agency leadership.
The position plays a central role in organizing and deploying student talent. In consultation with the Heelprint 542 Co-Directors, the Operations Manager assembles student project teams, coordinates assignments and workloads, monitors project performance, and adjusts staffing and workflows in response to changing project needs. The position also provides students with foundational training and guidance in project management, business processes, professional communication, time management, and collaborative problem-solving.
In addition to project and workflow management, the Operations Manager administers a broad range of business and program support functions. These responsibilities include assisting with the development and monitoring of agency budgets; tracking revenues and expenditures; coordinating invoices, payments, purchases, reimbursements, and other financial transactions with the appropriate School and University offices; supporting events and client engagements; maintaining agency records and operational systems; and coordinating internal and external communications, social media, marketing, and outreach activities.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor's degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Management Preferences
- Experience managing projects, operations, or client accounts in a professional environment
- Experience overseeing budgets, expenditures, purchasing, or payment processes
- Experience supervising, training, or mentoring students, interns, or project teams
- Experience developing or improving business processes, workflows, or operational systems
- Experience coordinating events, outreach, marketing, or stakeholder engagement activities
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.
Organization
The nation's first public university is at the heart of what's next, preparing a diverse student body to become creators, explorers, innovators and leaders in North Carolina and throughout the world. Carolina's nationally recognized, innovative teaching, campus-wide spirit of inquiry and dedication to public service continue the legacy that began in 1795 when the University first opened its doors to students.
Here, in one of America's most beautiful college settings, we offer exceptional careers in richly diverse fields. Come explore what UNC-Chapel Hill has to offer you.
Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,117
Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,894
Total Student Enrollment: 30,011
Founded: 1789, as the first state university in the United States
Type of Institution: Public, four-year
Faculty: 3,000
Location: UNC is located in the heart of Chapel Hill, the best college town in America! It's a friendly town of about 40,000 in the geographical center of North Carolina. Chapel Hill is at the western point of the Research Triangle, an area of about one million people, comprised of Chapel Hill, the cities of Durham and Raleigh, and the Research Triangle Park, home of many corporate offices and scientific research centers. Carolina is about 30 miles from the state capital, Raleigh, and 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
