Academic Operations Manager

The Department of Arts & Science is seeking an Academic Operations Manager. This person will join an exciting new effort to reimagine how meeting and event operational support works across the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. This role is central to realizing the vision of a cohesive, proactive, and scalable academic operations model. The Manager will help make this vision come to life in practice first by focusing on delivering exceptional meeting and event service, executing efficiently and enthusiastically. This is a high-visibility operational role for someone who wants to do the work, not just direct it, and wants to make a real and lasting impact on how a complex, intellectually rich academic environment functions. Over time, and as a foundation of exceptional service and trust is established, this role will help identify, shape, and scale additional central services offered to departments. The Ideal Candidate You love to roll up your sleeves and do the work. You lead by modeling what exceptional service looks like. You see gaps before they become problems, meet needs before someone realizes they have one, not just because it’s your job, but because that’s just how you operate. You're energized by variety, pace, and by doing the work. Multiple departments, competing timelines, and stakeholders with different working styles don't rattle you - they interest you. You are driven by a service mindset, when things run well and people have what they need to do their work, that’s success. You pursue flawless execution and take quality seriously because you are passionate about operational excellence. You’re looking for a role where you can contribute to an exciting new initiative, where your expertise will be valued, and where your performance will build confidence in central services. What You Bring Superb customer service instincts and a proactive approach to problem‑solving Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities without losing the thread on any of them Clear, proactive communication and follow through Comfort operating in some ambiguity An eye for continuous improvement and a willingness to adapt The ability to work independently and thrive in a matrixed environment with multiple stakeholders Key Responsibilities Own the meeting support infrastructure serving multiple academic departments, serving as the primary point of accountability for quality, consistency, and continuous improvement Identify systemic gaps, inefficiencies, and needs and develop practical, scalable solutions in partnership with the Divisional Resource Director and departmental leadership Build trusted partnerships with departmental and Dean’s Office staff, developing a nuanced understanding of each unit’s needs, rhythms, and priorities Communicate proactively and clearly, managing expectations, surfacing issues early, and following through consistently Lead end‑to‑end planning and execution of departmental meetings/events across multiple departments including academic lectures, colloquia, workshops, symposia, and receptions Oversee logistics including space reservations, catering, AV coordination, speaker and guest travel Serve as the operational lead on‑site, setting the standard for seamless execution and coordinating any support staff or student workers Hire, onboard, and supervise student workers supporting operations across the division—setting clear expectations, providing meaningful feedback, and creating a work experience that develops real skills Support the Dean’s Office on ad‑hoc strategic initiatives, special projects, and cross‑departmental coordination efforts Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree 3+ years of relevant professional experience required Experience in meeting or event planning Preferred Qualifications Experience in higher education operations or administration Salary Range: $70-75,000 annually. Physical Demands This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings and programs. The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non‑discrimination and equal opportunity employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr Commonwealth of VA Careers