Director of Strategic Operations (Senior Administrative Program Support)

JOB SUMMARY

The Wells Fargo Center for Neurodiversity & Inclusive Employment at the University of Connecticut is seeking a full-time Director of Strategic Operations (Senior Administrative Program Support). The incumbent will report to the Executive Director of the Wells Fargo Center for Neurodiversity & Inclusive Employment (the “Center”) and will integrate strategy, operations, finance, and program execution into a unified infrastructure that enables the Center to scale its work across employers, universities, community partners, and communities of neurodivergent job seekers.

The Director exercises operational financial authority within the Center over operational financial decisions, including budget monitoring for a $3.75M multi-year grant, expenditure approval, vendor contract management, and financial reporting to external funders. The position supervises staff members and serves as the Center’s second-most senior representative at the university level.

This is a 12-month, end-date, annually renewable position. The position will be based in Hartford but may require travel to Storrs or other regional campuses, as well as other locations in-state and out-of-state. This position will also require occasional weekend and evening hours in support of program activities and events.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Operational Leadership

• Translates Center-wide strategic priorities into operational plans, processes and systems that enable execution, growth, and national leadership.
• Anticipates organizational needs, identifies operational risks, and develops solutions that ensure operational and program integrity and sustainability.
• Serves as a key strategic partner and primary advisor to the Executive Director, shaping and making recommendations for planning, resource allocation, and long-term operational directions.

Enterprise Systems Design & Organizational Infrastructure

• Builds and optimizes workflow systems, contracting processes, procurement pathways, CRM and data structures, and reporting mechanisms. Designs the infrastructure that ensures institutional compliance, operational continuity, and stakeholder confidence.
• Establishes repeatable, scalable operational practices that support the Center’s national expansion across 30+ corporate and university partners.

Strategic Financial Management & Fiscal Stewardship

• Exercises operational financial authority within the Center over operational financial decisions, including budget monitoring, expenditure approval, vendor contract management, and financial reporting to external funders.
• Provides financial modeling and analysis that inform strategic decisions, program viability, and external partnership commitments.
• Creates transparent, accurate, and compliant financial practices that support external funders, UConn leadership, and multi-year growth strategies.

Program & Initiative Execution

• Leads operational execution of the Center’s flagship employer education programs across the U.S., including planning, vendor management, scheduling, and partner coordination.  Upholds institutional standards for reputation, visibility, and inclusive excellence.
• Resolves real-time issues during delivery, ensuring high-quality outcomes for corporate, university, and community partners.

Cross-Institutional & External Coordination

• Serves as the Center’s primary operational liaison with the School of Business Finance, HR, and Administrative Leads, UConn Foundation, Procurement, Accounts Receivable, Cash Operations, Sponsored Programs, Compliance, Legal, and external partner organizations.
• Represents the Center in operational matters with Wells Fargo program officers, UConn Foundation, Sponsored Programs, and corporate partner organizations; second in seniority representing the Center at the university level, ensuring operational alignment with institutional priorities and sponsor requirements.
• Strengthens UConn’s leadership in neurodiversity and workplace inclusion through effective operational partnerships and academic research projects.

Staff Supervision, Leadership & Team Enablement

• Directly supervises full-time and part-time staff members, including setting performance objectives, providing feedback and coaching, conducting performance evaluations, and managing workload allocation. Delegates tasks strategically to enable team efficiency and maintain operational integrity.
• Develops training materials, workflow guides, templates, and tools to support staff adoption of new systems,