University Of Idaho
Position Overview
The Senior Operations Director is a key partner and operational leader in the University of Idaho’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) who drives planning, operations, organizational change, and project execution in support of UI’s strategic plan pillar: Optimize Operational Excellence. The individual leads initiatives that integrate values and leadership into core operational processes. Through collaboration, innovation, and strategic vision, the role ensures alignment across CALS’s land-grant mission of teaching, research, and extension. This position will also leverage emerging technologies (including AI) and is expected to excel in vision and execution.
Duties
Lead and coordinate strategic planning and operational initiatives to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with institutional goals
Direct organizational change efforts, implementing systems, processes, and structures that support operational excellence
Oversee cross-functional projects from concept through execution, ensuring timely and successful outcomes
Integrate college values and leadership principles into core operational processes to support a strong organizational culture
Collaborate with faculty, staff, and university partners to ensure alignment across CALS’s land-grant mission of teaching, research, and extension
Identify opportunities for innovation, streamline processes, and support data-informed decision-making
Provide strategic guidance to CALS leadership on operational priorities, resource planning, and organizational needs
Required Experience
Seven years of experience in higher education leadership, organizational transformation, or strategic planning
Managing complex, multi-million-dollar initiatives and coordinating multi-site teams
Experience in facilitation, executive coaching, stakeholder engagement, and systems thinking
Written communication skills as evidenced by application materials
Required Education
Master’s Degree in organizational development, business administration, agricultural sciences, or a related field
Required Other
Ability to travel
Ability to work nonstandard business hours, including occasional weekends and holidays as needed
Additional Preferred Qualifications
Exceptional verbal and interpersonal communication skills
Experience in organizational leadership within agricultural sciences or higher education, preferably at a land‑grant university
Advanced skills in change management, technology adoption, and leadership development
Demonstrated success in capital project management, policy development, and infrastructure planning
Familiarity with the University of Idaho’s financial, operational, and reporting frameworks
Experience fostering external engagement with USDA, state agencies, and rural stakeholder groups
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
None
Required Documents
Resume/CV
List of References
Transcripts
Letter of Qualification
Optional Documents Application Instructions Applications received by December 28, 2025, will receive first consideration. To be considered, your
Letter of Qualification
must address each of the minimum qualifications, including pertinent education and/or experience. In addition, to improve your ranking during the evaluation process, address as many of the Preferred Qualifications as possible. Information on a resume will not be accepted as a substitute for submitting a Letter of Qualification.
For questions directly related to this position, please contact: Dr. Madison (Matt) Powell Associate Dean and Director, IAES College of Agricultural and Life Sciences University of Idaho mpowell@uidaho.edu
If you would like to receive a full position description, please email Dayna Willis at dwillis@uidaho.edu and request that one be sent to you.
Applicants who are selected as final possible candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.
EEO Statement The University of Idaho is an equal employment opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* How did you hear about this employment opportunity? Academic Careers
Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU)
Chronicle
Facebook
HigherEd/Academic Impressions
Higher Ed Jobs
Idaho Department of Labor/Job Service including Job Central or Idaho Works (Idahoworks.gov)
Indeed.com
Inside Higher Ed
LinkedIn
Newspaper
Other Venue
Professional Listservs (Ex: NACUBO, AAAE, ISMC, etc.)
University of Idaho Website
University of Idaho Daily Register
University of Idaho Employee
Word of Mouth
Militaryjob.com
DSPSjobs.com
Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
* Were you referred to this employment opportunity by a current University of Idaho employee? If so, please provide their name and department. (Open Ended Question)
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Duties
Lead and coordinate strategic planning and operational initiatives to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with institutional goals
Direct organizational change efforts, implementing systems, processes, and structures that support operational excellence
Oversee cross-functional projects from concept through execution, ensuring timely and successful outcomes
Integrate college values and leadership principles into core operational processes to support a strong organizational culture
Collaborate with faculty, staff, and university partners to ensure alignment across CALS’s land-grant mission of teaching, research, and extension
Identify opportunities for innovation, streamline processes, and support data-informed decision-making
Provide strategic guidance to CALS leadership on operational priorities, resource planning, and organizational needs
Required Experience
Seven years of experience in higher education leadership, organizational transformation, or strategic planning
Managing complex, multi-million-dollar initiatives and coordinating multi-site teams
Experience in facilitation, executive coaching, stakeholder engagement, and systems thinking
Written communication skills as evidenced by application materials
Required Education
Master’s Degree in organizational development, business administration, agricultural sciences, or a related field
Required Other
Ability to travel
Ability to work nonstandard business hours, including occasional weekends and holidays as needed
Additional Preferred Qualifications
Exceptional verbal and interpersonal communication skills
Experience in organizational leadership within agricultural sciences or higher education, preferably at a land‑grant university
Advanced skills in change management, technology adoption, and leadership development
Demonstrated success in capital project management, policy development, and infrastructure planning
Familiarity with the University of Idaho’s financial, operational, and reporting frameworks
Experience fostering external engagement with USDA, state agencies, and rural stakeholder groups
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
None
Required Documents
Resume/CV
List of References
Transcripts
Letter of Qualification
Optional Documents Application Instructions Applications received by December 28, 2025, will receive first consideration. To be considered, your
Letter of Qualification
must address each of the minimum qualifications, including pertinent education and/or experience. In addition, to improve your ranking during the evaluation process, address as many of the Preferred Qualifications as possible. Information on a resume will not be accepted as a substitute for submitting a Letter of Qualification.
For questions directly related to this position, please contact: Dr. Madison (Matt) Powell Associate Dean and Director, IAES College of Agricultural and Life Sciences University of Idaho mpowell@uidaho.edu
If you would like to receive a full position description, please email Dayna Willis at dwillis@uidaho.edu and request that one be sent to you.
Applicants who are selected as final possible candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.
EEO Statement The University of Idaho is an equal employment opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* How did you hear about this employment opportunity? Academic Careers
Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU)
Chronicle
HigherEd/Academic Impressions
Higher Ed Jobs
Idaho Department of Labor/Job Service including Job Central or Idaho Works (Idahoworks.gov)
Indeed.com
Inside Higher Ed
Newspaper
Other Venue
Professional Listservs (Ex: NACUBO, AAAE, ISMC, etc.)
University of Idaho Website
University of Idaho Daily Register
University of Idaho Employee
Word of Mouth
Militaryjob.com
DSPSjobs.com
Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
* Were you referred to this employment opportunity by a current University of Idaho employee? If so, please provide their name and department. (Open Ended Question)
#J-18808-Ljbffr