Job TitleDirector, Operations
AgencyTexas A&M Engineering
DepartmentAerospace Engineering
Proposed Minimum SalaryCommensurate
Job LocationCollege Station, Texas
Job TypeStaff
Purpose:The Director of Operations and Planning serves as a partner to the Department Head, providing leadership, coordination, and oversight for the administrative and operational functions of the department. Working with a high degree of independence and judgment, this position leads cross-functional initiatives, advances department priorities, oversees key administrative operations, and partners with faculty and staff to foster an efficient, collaborative, and high-performing organization.
Responsibilities:Executive Support
- Serve as a partner to the Department Head by advancing departmental priorities through planning, coordination, and execution of initiatives.
- Translate goals into actionable plans, monitor progress, remove barriers, and ensure timely completion of complex projects.
- Provide executive-level analysis, recommendations, and decision support on operational and organizational matters.
- Lead special projects and initiatives that improve departmental effectiveness, organizational performance, and stakeholder experience.
Operations and Organizational Leadership
- Provide leadership and oversight for designated administrative and student service units, ensuring efficient operations and exceptional service to faculty, staff, and students.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture through employee engagement, professional development, effective communication, and change management.
- Identify opportunities to improve business processes, organizational effectiveness, and operational efficiency.
- Serve as a liaison to centralized units.
Faculty Affairs and Department Administration
- Coordinate faculty appointments, onboarding, promotion and tenure processes, endowed positions, annual reporting, and other faculty-related administrative activities.
- Ensure compliance with university and college policies while serving as a liaison with central administrative units.
- Support department leadership in planning, organizational initiatives, and administrative decision-making.
Planning, Coordination, and Special Projects
- Lead complex initiatives requiring collaboration across faculty, staff, college leadership, and other partners.
- Coordinate departmental planning efforts, monitor progress toward objectives, and communicate outcomes to stakeholders.
- Serve as a primary resource for research, analysis, reporting, and project coordination supporting executive decision-making.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain strong relationships with faculty, students, alumni, industry partners, and college leadership.
- Partner with development, communications, and departmental leadership to support engagement activities, external partnerships, and initiatives that advance the department's reputation and goals.
What we need: - Bachelor's degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Ten years of related experience in management.
Work Location: - Main Campus - College Station, TX
The Department of Aerospace Engineering is consistently rated in the top 10 programs in the United States. It provides unique, cutting-edge educational and research opportunities in areas including space exploration, national defense, and air transportation. We offer a unique environment with research spanning fundamental to applied and where students have vibrant hands-on organizations and tremendous opportunities for summer internships and co-ops.
Texas A&M Engineering provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:- Competitive health benefits.
- Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays.
- Vision, Dental, Life, and Long-Term Disability insurance options.
- Teachers Retirement System of Texas (TRS), a defined benefit retirement plan with 8.25% employer contribution.
- Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation Program 457(b).
- Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
- Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional development opportunities.
- Tuition assistance: https://engineering.tamu.edu/information/esac/educational-assistance-programs.html
- Wellness program release time offered to employees to promote work/life balance.
Helpful Applicant Information
Required Materials for Application:- Three work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor/former supervisor.
Compensation Philosophy:- Recruit and retain a high-performing workforce through competitive compensation and career development including career pathing, coaching and skills development.
- Recognize and reward exceptional performance based on individual and team contributions to the growth and success of Texas A&M Engineering.
- Offer total rewards through flexible benefits, professional development, and work-life balance. Maintain an equitable and transparent process for compensation decisions.
- Support, reinforce, and align compensation decisions with budgetary and financial strategies to ensure growth and sustainability.
