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Job Title: Operations Management - Multi-Department (Non-Executive)

Working Title: Director, Operations

Career Progression Track: M00

Track Level: M6 - Director

FLSA Code: Administrative

Patient Sensitive Job Code?: No

Standard Hours per Week: 40

Full Time or Part Time?: Full Time

Shift: Day

Work Schedule Summary: Hours are typically 9:00 am to 5:00 pm but there may be additional evening or weekend hours needed on occasion.

VP Area: Academic Affairs

Department: 02279 - Impact & Prosperity Epicenter

Location: Campus

City: Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment: External Posting

Pay Rate Range: $105,000 - $165,000

Close Date: 01/14/2027

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

Job Summary:
The Impact & Prosperity Epicenter Director of Operations will be responsible for providing a high-quality experience for patrons of the Impact & Prosperity Epicenter, including student residents, professionals affiliated with the Center for Business, Health, & Prosperity and Sorensen Impact Institute, Café Epicenter, and those visiting the Forum informally or for events. The Director of Operations is also expected to ensure operational excellence, a well-maintained facility, and strong financial performance. This intent is that this position will oversee all operational areas of the Epicenter including the front desk, residential student experience, housekeeping, security, and maintenance, as well as other important functions such as marketing and sales, finances, and residential programming. The Director reports to the Epicenter Executive Committee and serves as a liaison to Housing and Dining Programs (HDP), Office of Residence Life (ORL), auxiliary services, and other campus partners. This position will work closely with ORL on the resident experience and Office of the Dean of Students to ensure all campus policies and emergency procedures are being followed, especially regarding student safety, care, and conduct. Responsibilities focus on the development of an environment that supports the academic and social experience of student residents, the workplace environment for employees and professional guests, and an elevated experience for visitors and other stakeholders, all while ensuring resources within the building are efficiently managed. Strong preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience in high-quality higher education institutions, academic organizations, or comparable organization and hospitality settings.

The Director of Operations must have excellent management and leadership capacity, problem-solving abilities, and skill at creating a positive workplace environment. They must be an effective communicator, self-motivated, able to take direction, be innovative while respecting leadership guidance and institutional policies, be accountable, and committed to the success of the Epicenter and its host organizations.

This position is in-person on-site at the Impact & Prosperity Epicenter. On campus housing may be available to candidate as part of the hiring package.

Responsibilities

Operational Excellence

• Leadership and Team Development
• Oversee front desk hospitality manager fostering a culture of operational excellence and guest-centered service.
• Ensure team productivity and support professional growth by supervising recruitment, onboarding, and continuous training of staff.

• Conduct routine meetings with department leadership to ensure alignment with operational goals and high standards.

• Facility Management and Coordination

• Manage day-to-day operations of the Epicenter, prioritizing resident, professional, and guest satisfaction in all aspects of property management.
• Act as a liaison with Housing and Dining Programs, Office of Residence Life, IT, Facilities and Maintenance, Auxiliary Services, and Security teams to ensure cohesive, efficient operations.

• Establish and uphold policies and procedures to maintain quality and consistency.

• Sales and Occupancy Management

• In coordination with HDP, guide the housing application process, resident selection, facility tours, room assignments, and all coordination related to resident transitions and services.
• Serve as point of contact for residential inquiries regarding rooms and booking process.
• Provide outstanding sales and outreach to students, parents, staff, faculty, and guests.
• Lead outreach and recruitment including leading information sessions and tours, building partnerships both internally and externally, and researching avenues to recruit and market.
• Prepare and present reports on occupancy statistics and key performance indicators.

• Communicate Epicenter programming and activities to prospective students and parents.

• Communication and Reporting

• Provide regular updates to the Epicenter Executive Team, sharing insights on key metrics, maintenance reports, resident incidents, inspection outcomes, and occupancy rates.
• Address and resolve resident concerns, proactively identifying solutions to building-related issues.

• Serve as point of contact for residents, prospective residents, parents, and other internal and external audiences.

• Safety and Maintenance Oversight

• Cultivate a culture of safety among residents and implement protocols to support adherence to university policies.
• Coordinate residence safety inspections and establish emergency procedures.
• Work with maintenance teams to address facility needs, ensuring a well-maintained, safe living environment.

Financial Management

• Budgeting and Financial Oversight
• In coordination with Finance Coordinated Services, manage the Epicenter’s P&L, develop a sustainable operating budget and track financial performance.
• In coordination with Finance Coordinated Services, provide the Epicenter Executive Team with periodic financial reports and optimize expenses through targeted budget management.
• Strategize ways to maximize occupancy rates, including year-round revenue opportunities to strengthen the financial health of the property.

Resident and Guest Experience

• Student-Centered Culture

• Foster a supportive, student-centric environment that enhances both the academic and social experience of residents.

• Program Implementation and Engagement

• Oversee the implementation of resident programming and events as directed by the Epicenter Executive Team. Ensure activities align with educational, cultural, wellness, and social goals to create a well-rounded experience for residents and guests.
• Ensure consistent delivery of services, programming, and activities that meet the Epicenter’s objectives and the needs of students, staff, and partners.

• Oversee the Residential student leaders engaged in residential programming.

• Community Building and Accessibility

• Promote a welcoming and engaging environment that supports students’ social and academic growth.
• Lead residential move-in and move-out processes in coordination with campus partners and student leaders.
• Be a visible and approachable presence, regularly interacting with residents and guests to build rapport and enhance the community experience.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and external partners to create meaningful programming and activities.

• Weave programming elements throughout the residential experience to help resident students connect with the Sorenson Impact Institute and the Center for Business Health and Prosperity.

• Professional Workspace

• Ensure that the facilities and embedded technology are well maintained to prevent workflow disruption for occupants of the Changemaker Pavilion.
• Create a professional presence and welcoming impression for guests of the Epicenter host organizations.

• Assure high-quality hospitality for all patrons of Café Epicenter.

• Events

• Make sure the events and activities held within the Epicenter are well-managed, including assuring that they are well supported and that sponsors of events and activities follow established guidelines when utilizing facilities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the operational, financial, and experiential goals of the Epicenter and its community of residents and guests.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Director, Operations Management – Multi-Department (Non-Executive): Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 12 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 10 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

Type: Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information:
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non-Discrimination page.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.