Strategic Operations Program Manager

Are you skilled at bridging the gap between high level leadership vision and ground level execution?

The Mendoza College of Business is seeking a Strategic Operations Program Manager to serve as a pivotal operational leader within the Innovation, Strategy & Insights ISI team. Operating directly out of the Office of the Dean, this role owns the "How" and "When" of the College's strategic lifecycle, with a heavy focus on operational execution, delivery, and change management.

As a vital facilitator of institutional progress, you will organize cross functional teams, manage complex project portfolios, navigate shared governance, and ensure key strategic priorities hit their milestones on time and within scope.

Key Responsibilities:

Project & Initiative Facilitation

• Manage a comprehensive portfolio of high impact institutional projects and strategic initiatives.
• Convene, structure, and facilitate cross functional committees comprising faculty, administrators, and staff.
• Establish clear project milestones, resource requirements, timelines, and execution plans to ensure seamless delivery.

Stakeholder Management & Collaboration

• Partner directly with Deans, Associate Deans, and staff leaders to operationalize strategic initiatives.
• Serve as the primary liaison between academic and functional leadership teams, ensuring deep integration across the ISI unit while effectively leveraging campus wide resources.

Strategic Execution & Change Management

• Collaborate with ISI and senior leadership colleagues to monitor project progress, proactively identify bottlenecks, and execute milestones tied to college Objectives and Key Results OKRs.
• Lead change management planning, process innovation, and operational improvements to transition strategic projects smoothly into sustainable long term implementation.

Compensation: Starting at $80,000, commensurate with experience

This position will be accepting applications until July 20, 2026.

Education and Experience

• A Masters degree, a Bachelors degree, or an advanced certification beyond a Bachelors degree.
• 5 to 6 years of professional experience.
• Experience or educational training in Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or Strategic Management.

Core Competencies

• The Organizer Mindset: Ability to act as an effective facilitator and project organizer within a complex, multi layered academic environment.
• Change Management: Experience in change planning and process innovation, with a focus on managing the human element of project implementation to ensure long term adoption.
• Strategic Prioritization: Critical thinking skills regarding resource allocation to ensure impactful institutional work is delivered first.
• Collaboration: Exceptional relationship building skills to work alongside existing leadership roles, enhancing and synchronizing efforts rather than duplicating them.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management Professional PMP certification, a similar credential, or equivalent experience in project management.
• Prosci Change Management certification, a similar credential, or equivalent experience in change management.

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.