"Senior Operations Director"

Posting Number:

SP005112P

Division/College:

College of Agricultural & Life Sciences

Department:

College of Agricultural & Life Sciences

Location:

Moscow

Posting Context Statement:

The Senior Operations Director is a key partner and operational leader in the University of Idaho’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) who drives planning, operations, organizational change, and project execution in support of UI’s strategic plan pillar: Optimize Operational Excellence. The individual leads initiatives that integrate values and leadership into core operational processes. Through collaboration, innovation, and strategic vision, the role ensures alignment across CALS’s land-grant mission of teaching, research, and extension. This position will also leverage emerging technologies (including AI) and is expected to excel in vision and execution.

Position Overview:

The Senior Operations Director serves as a key strategic partner and operational leader within the University of Idaho’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). This position is responsible for advancing planning, operations, organizational change, and project execution to support the University’s strategic plan pillar: Optimize Operational Excellence. The role drives continuous improvement and ensures high-quality, efficient operations across the college.

Duties may include

• Lead and coordinate strategic planning and operational initiatives to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with institutional goals
• Direct organizational change efforts, implementing systems, processes, and structures that support operational excellence
• Oversee cross-functional projects from concept through execution, ensuring timely and successful outcomes
• Integrate college values and leadership principles into core operational processes to support a strong organizational culture
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and university partners to ensure alignment across CALS’s land-grant mission of teaching, research, and extension
• Identify opportunities for innovation, streamline processes, and support data-informed decision-making
• Provide strategic guidance to CALS leadership on operational priorities, resource planning, and organizational needs
• Other duties as assigned

Required Experience:

• Seven years of experience in higher education leadership, organizational transformation, or strategic planning
• Managing complex, multi-million-dollar initiatives and coordinating multi-site teams
• Experience in facilitation, executive coaching, stakeholder engagement, and systems thinking
• Written communication skills as evidenced by application materials

Required Education:

• Master’s Degree in organizational development, business administration, agricultural sciences, or a related field

Required Other:

• Ability to travel
• Ability to work nonstandard business hours, including occasional weekends and holidays as needed

Additional Preferred:

• Exceptional verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Experience in organizational leadership within agricultural sciences or higher education, preferably at a land-grant university
• Advanced skills in change management, technology adoption, and leadership development
• Demonstrated success in capital project management, policy development, and infrastructure planning
• Familiarity with the University of Idaho’s financial, operational, and reporting frameworks
• Experience fostering external engagement with USDA, state agencies, and rural stakeholder groups

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

None

Degree Requirement:

Listed degree qualification is required at time of application

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Employee Category:

Exempt

Pay Range:

$130,000 or higher depending on experience

Type of Appointment:

_of_Appointment

FTE:

1.0

Full Time/Part Time:

Full Time

Funding:

A visa sponsorship is available for the position listed in this vacancy:

No

Posting Date:

12/08/2025

Closing Date:

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applications received by December 28, 2025, will receive first consideration.
IMPORTANT: To be considered, your “Letter of Qualification” must address EACH of the minimum qualifications, including pertinent education and/or experience. In addition, to improve your ranking during the evaluation process, address as many of the Preferred Qualifications as possible. Information on a resume will not be accepted as a substitute for submitting a Letter of Qualification.
For questions directly related to this position, please contact:
Dr. Madison (Matt) Powell
Associate Dean and Director, IAES
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
University of Idaho
mpowell@uidaho.edu
If you would like to receive a full position description, please email Dayna Willis at dwillis@uidaho.edu and request that one be sent to you.