Operations Manager

Job Overview

The Georgetown Tech & Society Initiative (Tech & Society) seeks a process-oriented, yet adaptive candidate to fill a new Operations Manager position. 

Tech & Society is a vibrant cross-campus ecosystem creating novel approaches for interdisciplinary collaboration, research, understanding, and action at the intersection of technology, ethics, and governance. The Operations Manager is an integral role for the day-to-day functions and future planning of three Tech & Society centers: The Knight-Georgetown Institute (KGI); the Center for Digital Ethics (CDE); and the Institute for Technology Law & Policy (Tech Institute). With partnership and oversight from the Executive Directors of these three centers, the Operations Manager will be responsible for ensuring that the centers’ operational and administrative needs are met. The Operations Manager will be a key member of each of these teams, initiating and overseeing processes related to people operations, budgeting, administration, procurement, and contracts.

A successful candidate will be detail-oriented and thrive in a collaborative environment. This position requires a self-starter who can flex their skills across a wide range of operational and administrative responsibilities. This is a great opportunity for candidates interested in financial management as well as playing a leadership role in growing operations and fostering an inclusive culture. An interest in public policy at the intersection of technology and society is preferred, but not required.

Work Interactions

The Operations Manager will report to the KGI Executive Director, and the position will be overseen by the KGI Executive Director together with the Executive Directors of CDE and the Tech Institute. The Operations Manager will work collaboratively within each of these organizations and will partner with University contacts in finance, human resources, procurement, facilities, and other functions as necessary. A successful candidate will build relationships with other centers and contacts inside and outside of the University, sharing resources and leading practices.

Work Mode Designation

This position has been designated as hybrid; work mode designations are regularly reviewed to meet the evolving needs of the University. With the hybrid designation, the Operations Manager will be expected to work in office three (3) days per week from an office on Georgetown University’s Capitol Campus; occasionally the in-office days will be required to take place on the University’s Main Campus. We prioritize spending time in person for collaboration and career development, as well as building relations across centers on campus. We also rely heavily on Gmail, Slack, Zoom, and other platforms to stay connected synchronously and asynchronously.

Responsibilities

Administrative Support

• Manage calendars, appointments, and meeting logistics for center leaders.
• Research and present options to meet travel-related needs and manage travel-related bookings for center leaders.
• Coordinate travel arrangements and support for center leaders, invited guests, and speakers.
• Process expenses for center leaders.

Contracting and Budget Operations

• Research options and develop proposals and recommendations of vendors to fulfill centers’ operational needs.
• Develop Requests for Proposals and source proposals from vendors.
• Ensure compliance with University and Law Center policies and approval processes.
• Coordinate communications and payment processes with vendors.
• Serve as interface to University procurement analysts.
• Track grant and gift expenditures and ensure accurate allocations for expenses.

People Operations

• Support the full lifecycle of employment from recruitment to retention efforts and onboarding/offboarding, including establishing center-specific policies to augment University/Law Center policies.
• Serve as interface to University and Law Center HR support regarding job descriptions, designations, compensation, hiring mechanisms, and timelines.
• Facilitate center-specific annual performance management process and professional development planning.
• Advise managers on individual performance or HR issues, including serving as initial point of interface for performance plans and benefits/disability related needs.

Internal Operations

• Oversee evaluation, adoption, and implementation of technology platforms that allow center teams to operate in a distributed fashion.
• Serve as point of contact for all in-person office operations issues.
• Help with facilities scheduling.
• Support coordination of center team retreats for deep, high-quality team engagement and social time.
• Develop and document internal operations processes and policies as necessary to ensure continuity of center operations.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and 2-3 years of experience in operations, human resources, administration, or other relevant field, or equivalent relevant work experience (i.e., each year of required education may be substituted with one year of relevant work experience).
• Commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Patience, diligence, and resourcefulness in navigating complex bureaucratic processes.
• Familiarity running procurement and contracting processes.
• Experience in HR management, including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and performance management.
• Proficiency in Google Suite products, spreadsheets, project management, and collaborative platforms; quick learning curve to adapt to new programs.
• Ability to analyze various sources of data, identify and derive key metrics, and propose solutions based on these data.  
• Ability to manage – and be both organized and flexible – in a complex, multi-faced environment that requires continuous monitoring of priorities across three distinct centers.
• Exceptional communication skills, including maintenance of confidentiality.

Preferred: Prior experience working with Georgetown University and/or Georgetown Law business processes and Georgetown Management System (GMS); prior experience in an academic or think tank setting; interest in public policy issues at the intersection of technology and society. 

Salary, Benefits, and Employment Term

The salary band for this position is $44,022-$70,000, commensurate with experience, and includes full benefits, including paid sick and holiday leave; comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance; and generous 401(k) program and Tuition Assistance program after one year of service.

Application Submission

Please submit a cover letter describing your experience and interest in this role as an additional attachment in the Resume/CV section of your application.

EEO Statement

Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer fully dedicated to achieving a diverse faculty and staff. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation), disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.