Operations Director - Student Affairs

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Position Title:Operations Director - Student Affairs

Job Category:Limited

Employment Type:Regular

Job Profile:Operations Director (B)

Job Duties:

Position Summary:

This position serves as a senior advisor for Student Affairs, the comprehensive student services organization at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and represents leadership as needed. Coordinates administrative, operational, and financial administration of relevant units on behalf of divisional or executive leadership. Provides Divisional project management and management of strategic initiatives.

Duties

Leadership:

Provides strategic planning and leadership for budget, financials, five-year plans (multi-year plans), projects, facilities and human resources administration for the Division of Student Affairs.

Serves as advisor to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Division of Student Affairs, providing advice and communication on personnel, financial, and facilities resource allocations, operational issues, and resource planning at the divisional level.

Lead the Division of Student Affairs regarding the annual budget process, in tandem with the Student Affairs Executive Staff Assistant.

Liaison with the Budget Office and departments to develop the annual division budget schedule and review processes.

Works with Student Affairs units and departments to recommend, develop, and implement budgets.

Serves on, provides leadership, and/or represents Student Affairs on a variety of University or Student Affairs general, personnel, budget, and fees-related committees, task forces, and work groups.

Provides guidance and oversight of human resources matters related to budget, financials, and policy.

Serve as the Divisional Advisor Designee for the Allocable & Non-Allocable student fee process.

Work with division units to identify new revenue streams.

Financial and Operational Management:

Provides oversight for Student Affairs budgets and financials, including departmental budgets, grants, and foundation funds, in accordance with State statutes & University policies.

Provides financial analysis to the Vice Chancellor, Cabinet, unit leaders, directors, and others as needed.

As permitted, attend regular Administrative Affairs meetings to provide a Student Affairs perspective and share information from those meetings with Student Affairs Leadership.

Serve as the Student Affairs Liaison to ITS

Coordinates the preparation and development of the annual operating budget for the Student Affairs office and assists the division’s departments with their annual budgets, in tandem with the Student Affairs Executive Staff Assistant.

Monitor Student Affairs budgets and discuss areas of concerns with appropriate leadership.

Works with divisional staff on budget and project planning and development.

Coordinates Budget Review Meetings with departments and provides guidance/training as needed.

Leads discussions and works directly with Directors and staff to ensure sound financial, operational, facilities and HR processes are developed and are properly vetted prior to submission. Oversee development and implementation of financial and human resources training programs, as needed.

Provides guidance to University departments and serves as primary Student Affairs designee to the Non-Allocable student fee process and collaborates with Student Activities & Involvement to educate student organizations on the Allocable student fee process, in tandem with the Student Affairs Executive Staff Assistant.

Coordinates the development and implementation of the annual Segregated Fee timeline, process, meetings, training, FTE count, and other related tasks.

Provides guidance and advice to SUFAC and NALT student leaders.

Provides oversight to departments who request segregated fees assisting with revenue projections, allocation proposals, and evaluation of reserves. For departments at risk, provides oversight might be needed.

Provides insights/guidance on fee proposals that are new on campus or require approval by the Board of Regents.

Liaison with appropriate UW - Whitewater Administrative Affairs, ITS, Universities of Wisconsin, and Department of Administration staff related to capital planning for Student Affairs projects or other campus projects as needed. Serve as the point person for capital projects for the division. Assist departments with bonds and its financial impact to budget/fees.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees

Coordinates daily staff activities and work for divisional or executive leadership

Manages projects and strategic initiatives on behalf of divisional or executive leadership

Coordinates across all functions including administrative, operational, financial, curriculum, academic, and student services of administrative units on behalf of divisional or executive leadership

Manages internal communications and oversees the development of communication strategies and applications

Serves as an insightful senior advisor to divisional or executive leadership and represents leadership with integrity as needed in all divisional matters. Serves as a liaison to internal constituent and governance groups

Department: Student Affairs

Compensation:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within the range of $84,000 - $95,000 commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications.

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in business or related field OR Bachelor's degree (any discipline) with a master’s degree in business, higher education, public administration, or related field

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible leadership and administrative experience in budget management

Demonstrated leadership and management experience

Supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

Excellent interpersonal skills including a commitment to collaboration and teamwork

Proficiency in various software tools for financial management and budgeting

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations, including necessary training and drills.

How to Apply:

Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:

Cover Letter

Resume

Name and contact information for three professional references

Contact Information:

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at or .

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Erica Johnson

To Ensure Consideration:

Applications received by September 4th, 2025 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university’s 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs — online and in person — from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university’s arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities — a priority mission since the 1970s.

UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin’s Park Place.

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus Universities of Wisconsin (

Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).

Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.

For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see Annual Security and Fire Safety Report if you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at .

CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

EEO STATEMENT:

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

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