The Opportunity  

The Senior Director, Operations – West provides strategic and operational leadership across the University’s Western operations, with a strong focus on organizational effectiveness, leadership development, and alignment with institutional goals. This position offers an opportunity to lead through collaboration, innovation, and data-informed decision-making while supporting the continued growth and effectiveness of teams across the region.

The Senior Director will work across functions to strengthen operational excellence, develop partnerships, support organizational change, and ensure that teams are aligned with University strategy. The role is well suited for an experienced leader who can balance strategic vision with practical execution, build strong relationships, and drive continuous improvement in a complex higher education environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across Western operations, ensuring alignment with University priorities and organizational goals.

• Develop and execute strategic initiatives that improve operational effectiveness, service delivery, and organizational performance.

• Lead and support managers and teams through goal setting, resource allocation, delegation, performance management, and professional development.

• Build strong partnerships across departments and foster effective cross-functional collaboration.

• Use data and performance metrics to evaluate operations, identify trends, and support informed decision-making.

• Lead organizational change initiatives and help teams successfully adapt to evolving priorities, processes, and institutional needs.

• Identify opportunities for process improvement, operational efficiencies, and innovative approaches to enhance organizational effectiveness.

• Support recruitment, onboarding, employee development, performance evaluation, and recognition initiatives.

• Address complex operational and personnel matters using sound judgment, problem-solving, and ethical leadership.

• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, professional growth, and continuous improvement.

• Represent the University professionally and serve as a strategic partner to leadership and internal stakeholders.

• Travel may be required for University activities, including Worldwide graduations and staff development.

About us 

For over 100 years, Embry-Riddle has been the world's leading aviation and aerospace university, educating more than 30,000 students across residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, as well as through a global network of Worldwide locations and online programs. With more than 165,000 alumni around the world, our impact reaches every corner of the aerospace, aviation, defense and technology industries. 

Today, our faculty, researchers and professional staff are advancing innovation across aviation, space, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and next-generation engineering. Working alongside industry leaders, government agencies and innovators, they are solving real-world challenges and shaping the technologies that will define tomorrow. 

Whether you are an educator, researcher, administrator, technologist or industry professional, your work at Embry-Riddle will contribute to something bigger than a job. Join a community driven by discovery, purpose and excellence—and help shape the future of aerospace. 

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy up to 18 days of paid leave in your first year, including 3 days granted upon hire and 15 days accrued throughout the year. You'll also receive 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. 

• Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26. 

• Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes 6% of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution – with no vesting period. 

• Personal Leave: Relax with 15 days of personal leave for non-exempt employees or 18 days for exempt full-time employees in your first year.  

Required Education

• Master’s degree.

Required Experience

• 5–10 years of related professional experience.

• Experience in Human Resources and leadership.

Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Familiarity with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University operations.

• Strategic vision and innovative thinking.

• Demonstrated leadership excellence and the ability to lead teams through complex organizational priorities.

• Strong project management and organizational skills.

• Data-driven decision-making and analytical abilities.

• Partnership development and cross-functional collaboration.

• Change management and organizational development capabilities.

• Strong understanding of operational excellence and continuous improvement.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

• Adaptability and the ability to effectively navigate changing priorities.

• Demonstrated ethical leadership and sound professional judgment.

Supervisory/Leadership Expectations

• Provides leadership through goal setting, resource allocation, task delegation, skill development, performance evaluation, conflict resolution, recruitment and onboarding, and team development.

• Provides indirect leadership to approximately 40 staff members

To submit your application for this opportunity, please visit the Embry-Riddle Career Site and search for requisition number R311962. Please attach all relevant materials to your application when you apply online. Complete submissions include: 

• Cover letter 

• Resume 

• Contact information for at least three professional references (please note that references may be contacted as part of the interview/screening process) 

Current Embry-Riddle employees: Please apply directly through the ERAU Employee Hub Central application within Workday. 

Embry-Riddle is committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We strive to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and provided equal opportunities for employment, advancement, compensation, training, and other benefits of employment. Embry-Riddle makes employment decisions — including hiring, promotions, compensation, and other terms of employment — based on individual merit, qualifications, and abilities. Embry-Riddle is strongly opposed to discrimination and harassment, and such behavior is prohibited by university policy. Embry-Riddle does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, age, religion, or pregnancy status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, in its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, or other school-administered programs or activities. For further information, please visit our website. 

Embry-Riddle is not seeking assistance from staffing or recruitment agencies. All agencies are directed to contact [email protected] and should not reach out to hiring managers or staff.