Manager, Operations Kinesiology, Health & Sport Studies

Manager, Operations Kinesiology, Health & Sport Studies

Wayne State University is searching for an experiencedManager, Operations Kinesiology, Health & Sport Studiesat its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Position Purpose:

Provide consistent and knowledgeable management and strategic oversight of academic, research, financial, personnel and facilities operations for the Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies in the College of Education. Manage core functions to ensure efficiency and alignment with the division’s growth and expansion, in accordance with established goals and objectives as outlined in the division’s 2025 academic program review conducted through the Division of Academic Affairs.

Essential Functions:

Oversee personnel, facilities, financial and management, as well as academic, research and community engagement workflow to maintain and improve operational efficiencies. Ensure accuracy and alignment with the WSU, College of Education, and Division of Kinesiology, Health & Sport Studies strategic plans and compliance with university policies and procedures. Use data and business acumen to provide strategic analysis and input to division and college leadership in effort to develop and achieve established goals and objectives for the division.

Manage the hiring of new KHS administrative support staff, part-time faculty, graduate assistants and student assistants. Also, supervise new and existing administrative support staff, marketing and communications staff, graduate assistants, temporary employees and student assistants. Assign and monitor work, manage overall performance and attendance. Hire, onboard, train, supervise and evaluate the division’s support personnel. Provide training, development, coaching and mentoring with the goal of fostering a collaborative and productive team environment.

Oversee Part-time Faculty (PTF) recruitment and employment activities for the division. Ensure that PTF recruitment, onboarding, training, performance evaluations, ranking, pay level and promotion activities are administered in accordance with provisions of the UPTF contract and University policies and procedures.

Oversee course scheduling processes to ensure accurate and timely entry of courses, instructors, instructional formats, and classroom assignments (as applicable) into appropriate systems by established deadlines throughout the academic year. Review and approve the finalized schedule of KHS courses, instructor assignments, course modalities, and classroom/lab locations each semester in collaboration with the division’s Assistant Dean and disciplinary Program Coordinators. Provide guidance and direction for support staff in resolving scheduling issues.

Provide guidance to faculty (full & part-time, staff and students) regarding the acquisition of professional travel funding (e.g., Graduate School), utilization of the Travel Wayne platform for travel requests and travel expense reporting, and provide technical assistance as needed.

Coordinate new faculty search processes including position advertising development and execution, scheduling preliminary virtual and formal on-campus interviews, and travel/dinning/transportation for candidates.

Oversee coordination of academic and research facility operations (e.g., scheduling, usage, risk management mitigation, equipment orders, equipment and supplies maintenance, cleaning and use preparation, and renovations of KHS facilities across six campus locations (FAB, Applebaum, Old Main, Matthaei, COE, IBIO). Leverage the use of facilities and classrooms in conjunction with faculty and part-time faculty teaching assignments to strategically align with current needs, future growth, and to identify cost-savings opportunities related to academic and research activities. Assign and monitor facilities-related duties, such as maintaining room/facility schedules and reservations, building keys and access, furniture/equipment orders, deliveries and installations, supply and equipment inventories, etc.

Manage student processing activities and transactions, such as overrides, inquiries, grade appeals, program exclusions, etc.). Ensure that faculty and support staff follow established protocols and maintain student records with accuracy, consistency, confidentiality and integrity according to university policies and procedures.

Oversee the coordination activities for all KHS marketing, communications and community outreach efforts. Plan and develop community outreach events. Assign and monitor related coordination activities. Direct and guide staff to ensure efficiency and alignment with targeted goals and objectives of the division, college and University.

Manage student recruitment initiatives to ensure alignment with established objectives. Assign and monitor related coordination duties, such as advertisement and marketing initiatives, targeted outreach activities, community college articulation agreements and other activities in collaboration with College of Education personnel and the Offices of Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions.

Lead staff in providing high-caliber, professional customer service to faculty, staff, students, guests, visitors, stakeholders and business partners within and outside of the campus community. Build and maintain relationships and effective communications with individuals conducting business with and for the university.

Maintain internal control systems to assure integrity of financial transactions to prevent errors, omissions and possible fraudulent activity. Ensure efficient monitoring of budgets in accordance with allocation provisions, budget policy and regulations for all fund types including revenues, scholarships, endowment funds and sponsored programs. Participate in development of short and long-range strategic plans and funding proposals. Oversee the preparation and processing of financial transactions, budget monitoring activities and protocol, along with the production of standardized and ad hoc reports. Ensure support staff members communicate timely and effectively with stakeholders to prevent deficits and resolve issues that arise.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Master’s degree

Bachelor's degree in either education or human resources administration. An equivalent combination of education plus experience in higher education is also acceptable.

Experience: Specialist (minimum 5 years of job-related experience).

Experience with higher education in the discipline(s) of Health, Kinesiology and/or Sports Sciences.

Previous supervisory experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

MANAGEMENT SKILLS: Manages complex processes, drawing information from appropriate sources and resolving conflicts in schedules and resources to accomplish work goals. Supports and explains reasoning for decisions when appropriate.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Active Listener, giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Effectively present information in one-on-one, large or small groups. Leads meetings or committees and makes professional presentations/speeches. Writes clearly and informatively, communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

SUPERVISORY SKILLS: Ability to delegate work, set clear direction, manage workflow and make adjustments when necessary. Strong mentoring and coaching skills. Ability to train staff and develop subordinates' skills. Ability to foster teamwork among staff members.

ANALYTICAL SKILLS: Able to evaluate, interpret and present complex information effectively in professionally prepared presentations or documents. Must possess a demonstrated attention to detail with ability to apply analytical and logical thinking to the process of gathering and analyzing information. Proposes and evaluates alternative solutions to achieve organizational goals. Capable of analyzing large volume of data and summarizing results.

INITIATIVE: Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles. Takes independent actions and calculated risks.

INNOVATION: Synthesizes complex or diverse information. Uses intuition and experience to complement data.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION: Is able to prioritize, plan and delegate work activities; adapts and fosters support and cooperation for changing conditions.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Ability to shift priorities and multi-task on various projects. Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks and projects. Realistically estimates time and resource requirements on projects. Handles and delegates tasks and maintains strategic oversight to ensure successful outcomes.

PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS: Analyzes the impact of potential actions. Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner. Anticipates the implications and consequences of situations and takes appropriate action to be prepared for possible contingencies.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP: Exhibits sound, accurate judgment and business acumen. Strategic outlook with ability to lead efforts toward achievement of established goals and objectives.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Changes approach or method to best fit the situation. Ability to work independently while establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with wide variety of constituents. Ability to work through others and make appropriate interventions to ensure workflow is efficient and adequate resources are available. Encourages collaboration and seeks feedback.

CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS: Has mastery of telephone techniques & etiquette. Exhibits a pleasant, forthcoming demeanor to customers. Responds promptly to customer requests for service and assistance. Responds courteously to requests for service and assistance. Practices follow-up to ensure customer needs are met. Can manage difficult or emotional customer situations. Fosters high-caliber customer service among staff.

MULTICULTURAL SKILLS: An awareness of multicultural issues and a broad knowledge of diversity dimensions. The ability to serve and engage others in a multicultural environment.

TECHNICAL SKILLS: Able to use Microsoft office products with high level of proficiency (Word, Excel, Outlook – email, calendar, contacts). Experience with Banner/STARS.

School/College/Division:

H10 - Health & Physical Education

Primary Department:

H1007 - Kinesiology Health & Sports Studies

Employment Type:

• Regular Employee

• Job type: Full Time

• Job category: Staff/Administrative

Funding/Salary Information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary

• Annual Salary: To be determined

Working Conditions:

Office environment, travelling to various buildings and facilities within campus and off campus.

Additionally, occasional travelling to local community vendors and venues.

Busy, fast-paced office environment with multiple locations of operations.

Ability to lift up to 20 lbs.

Job Openings:

• Number of openings: 1

• Reposted position: No

Background Check Requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.

The university welcomes applications from persons with disabilities and veterans. Wayne State is an equal opportunity employer.