Head of Operations & Business Management

Director, Operations
Texas A&M Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
College Station, Texas
Why work for Texas A&M Engineering?
Engineering has been part of Texas A&M University since its opening in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Today, the College of Engineering is the largest college on the College Station campus with more than 25,000 engineering students enrolled in 15 departments. Its mission is to serve Texas, the nation and the global community by providing engineering graduates who are well-founded in engineering fundamentals, instilled with the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior, and prepared to meet the complex technical challenges of society.
As the research arm of Engineering, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is a state agency within the Texas A&M University System with a mission to improve lives through basic and applied engineering research, workforce development and technology transition. We are deeply committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce that embraces our core values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Service, by offering competitive salaries, an array of benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative working community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education, research, and public service.
The Director of Operations and Planning serves as a partner to the Department Head, providing leadership, coordination, and oversight for the administrative and operational functions of the department. Working with a high degree of independence and judgment, this position leads cross-functional initiatives, advances department priorities, oversees key administrative operations, and partners with faculty and staff to foster an efficient, collaborative, and high-performing organization.
Serve as a partner to the Department Head by advancing departmental priorities through planning, coordination, and execution of initiatives.

• Translate goals into actionable plans, monitor progress, remove barriers, and ensure timely completion of complex projects.
• Provide executive-level analysis, recommendations, and decision support on operational and organizational matters.
• Lead special projects and initiatives that improve departmental effectiveness, organizational performance, and stakeholder experience.

Operations and Organizational Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight for designated administrative and student service units, ensuring efficient operations and exceptional service to faculty, staff, and students.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture through employee engagement, professional development, effective communication, and change management.
• Identify opportunities to improve business processes, organizational effectiveness, and operational efficiency.
• Serve as a liaison to centralized units.

Coordinate faculty appointments, onboarding, promotion and tenure processes, endowed positions, annual reporting, and other faculty-related administrative activities.

• Ensure compliance with university and college policies while serving as a liaison with central administrative units.
• Support department leadership in planning, organizational initiatives, and administrative decision-making.

Planning, Coordination, and Special Projects

• Coordinate departmental planning efforts, monitor progress toward objectives, and communicate outcomes to stakeholders.
• Serve as a primary resource for research, analysis, reporting, and project coordination supporting executive decision-making.

Partner with development, communications, and departmental leadership to support engagement activities, external partnerships, and initiatives that advance the department's reputation and goals.

Bachelor's degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

~ Ten years of related experience in management.

It provides unique, cutting-edge educational and research opportunities in areas including space exploration, national defense, and air transportation. We offer a unique environment with research spanning fundamental to applied and where students have vibrant hands-on organizations and tremendous opportunities for summer internships and co-ops.
Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays.

• Vision, Dental, Life, and Long-Term Disability insurance options.
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas (TRS), a defined benefit retirement plan with 8.25% employer contribution.
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation Program 457(b).
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional development opportunities.

~ Required Materials for Application:

• Recognize and reward exceptional performance based on individual and team contributions to the growth and success of Texas A&M Engineering.
• Offer total rewards through flexible benefits, professional development, and work-life balance. Support, reinforce, and align compensation decisions with budgetary and financial strategies to ensure growth and sustainability.

You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.