Director of Operations, Administrator II
Sonoma State University, Sonoma, CA, United States
Application Process
This position is open until filled. For full consideration, please submit application, along with cover letter and resume, by 8 a.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2026. In your cover letter, describe your experience leading operational functions within a complex organization, including examples that demonstrate your ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and communicate effectively across diverse groups. Please review the position description listed above for full scope of responsibilities and qualifications.
Job Summary Reporting directly to the Dean of the College of Humanities, Social Sciences and the Arts (Dean), the Director of Operations provides management and guidance for the College of HSSA, and supervises staff and student personnel in these units. The incumbent is responsible for managing and overseeing the business functions, including finance, budget, registration, procurement, automation and customer service. The incumbent interprets, executes and makes recommendations to solve operational, human resource, and fiscal questions and issues to achieve organizational goals. This position serves as a critical member of the Dean’s leadership team and collaborates closely with the Dean and Department Chairs to ensure management and administrative functions operate efficiently and are in line with strategic goals. Additionally, in the absence of the Dean, provides leadership and acts on behalf of the Dean.
Responsibilities
Manage and oversee business functions such as finance, budget, registration, procurement, automation, and customer service.
Interpret, execute, and make recommendations to solve operational, human resource, and fiscal questions and issues.
Collaborate closely with the Dean and Department Chairs to ensure efficient management and alignment with strategic goals.
Provide leadership and act on behalf of the Dean in the Dean’s absence.
Key Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of administrative and technical experience, preferable in a complex academic work environment, including 3 years of progressively responsible and applicable leadership and/or supervisory experience.
Higher education experience and prior fiscal responsibility for developing and managing complex budgets (highly preferred).
Experience as an administrative manager in a complex field or industry (highly desirable).
Advanced proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) (required).
Knowledge of Google Suite, database query spreadsheets and databases, and PeopleSoft (preferred).
Salary and Benefits Starting salary placement depends on qualifications and experience and is anticipated to be in the range of $7,084 to $10,167 a month. This position is a member of the Management Personnel Plan and serves at the pleasure of the President. The position is eligible for a broad range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, retirement (CalPERS), tuition waiver, vacation and sick leave. In addition, 15 paid holidays are offered each year and a Personal Holiday that may be taken any time during the year. Sonoma State University is also a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) Employer. A comprehensive benefits summary for this position is available online by clicking here to be taken to the CSU benefits page.
Supplemental Information Sonoma State University is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning and inclusion. In line with our Strategic Plan and our Seawolf Commitment, our values include diversity, sustainability, community engagement, respect, responsibility, excellence and integrity. We strive to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. We encourage innovation, experimentation and creativity, as well as contributions to equity and inclusion, in the pursuit of excellence for all members of our university community.
The University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status. Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
Sonoma State University, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.
Background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current employees who apply for this position.
Sonoma State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H‑1B visas).
Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.
For questions related to the application process, please reach out to hr@sonoma.edu. The ADA Coordinator is also available ( hraccommodations@sonoma.edu ) to assist individuals with disabilities in need of accommodation during the hiring process.
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Job Summary Reporting directly to the Dean of the College of Humanities, Social Sciences and the Arts (Dean), the Director of Operations provides management and guidance for the College of HSSA, and supervises staff and student personnel in these units. The incumbent is responsible for managing and overseeing the business functions, including finance, budget, registration, procurement, automation and customer service. The incumbent interprets, executes and makes recommendations to solve operational, human resource, and fiscal questions and issues to achieve organizational goals. This position serves as a critical member of the Dean’s leadership team and collaborates closely with the Dean and Department Chairs to ensure management and administrative functions operate efficiently and are in line with strategic goals. Additionally, in the absence of the Dean, provides leadership and acts on behalf of the Dean.
Responsibilities
Manage and oversee business functions such as finance, budget, registration, procurement, automation, and customer service.
Interpret, execute, and make recommendations to solve operational, human resource, and fiscal questions and issues.
Collaborate closely with the Dean and Department Chairs to ensure efficient management and alignment with strategic goals.
Provide leadership and act on behalf of the Dean in the Dean’s absence.
Key Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of administrative and technical experience, preferable in a complex academic work environment, including 3 years of progressively responsible and applicable leadership and/or supervisory experience.
Higher education experience and prior fiscal responsibility for developing and managing complex budgets (highly preferred).
Experience as an administrative manager in a complex field or industry (highly desirable).
Advanced proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) (required).
Knowledge of Google Suite, database query spreadsheets and databases, and PeopleSoft (preferred).
Salary and Benefits Starting salary placement depends on qualifications and experience and is anticipated to be in the range of $7,084 to $10,167 a month. This position is a member of the Management Personnel Plan and serves at the pleasure of the President. The position is eligible for a broad range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, retirement (CalPERS), tuition waiver, vacation and sick leave. In addition, 15 paid holidays are offered each year and a Personal Holiday that may be taken any time during the year. Sonoma State University is also a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) Employer. A comprehensive benefits summary for this position is available online by clicking here to be taken to the CSU benefits page.
Supplemental Information Sonoma State University is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning and inclusion. In line with our Strategic Plan and our Seawolf Commitment, our values include diversity, sustainability, community engagement, respect, responsibility, excellence and integrity. We strive to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. We encourage innovation, experimentation and creativity, as well as contributions to equity and inclusion, in the pursuit of excellence for all members of our university community.
The University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status. Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
Sonoma State University, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.
Background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current employees who apply for this position.
Sonoma State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H‑1B visas).
Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.
For questions related to the application process, please reach out to hr@sonoma.edu. The ADA Coordinator is also available ( hraccommodations@sonoma.edu ) to assist individuals with disabilities in need of accommodation during the hiring process.
#J-18808-Ljbffr