Job Summary
The Impact & Prosperity Epicenter Director of Operations will
be responsible for providing a high-quality experience for patrons
of the Impact & Prosperity Epicenter, including student
residents, professionals affiliated with the Center for Business,
Health, & Prosperity and Sorensen Impact Institute, Café
Epicenter, and those visiting the Forum informally or for events.
The Director of Operations is also expected to ensure operational
excellence, a well-maintained facility, and strong financial
performance. This intent is that this position will oversee all
operational areas of the Epicenter including the front desk,
residential student experience, housekeeping, security, and
maintenance, as well as other important functions such as marketing
and sales, finances, and residential programming. The Director
reports to the Epicenter Executive Committee and serves as a
liaison to Housing and Dining Programs (HDP), Office of Residence
Life (ORL), auxiliary services, and other campus partners. This
position will work closely with ORL on the resident experience and
Office of the Dean of Students to ensure all campus policies and
emergency procedures are being followed, especially regarding
student safety, care, and conduct. Responsibilities focus on the
development of an environment that supports the academic and social
experience of student residents, the workplace environment for
employees and professional guests, and an elevated experience for
visitors and other stakeholders, all while ensuring resources
within the building are efficiently managed. Strong preference will
be given to candidates with demonstrated experience in high-quality
higher education institutions, academic organizations, or
comparable organization and hospitality settings.
The Director of Operations must have excellent management and
leadership capacity, problem-solving abilities, and skill at
creating a positive workplace environment. They must be an
effective communicator, self-motivated, able to take direction, be
innovative while respecting leadership guidance and institutional
policies, be accountable, and committed to the success of the
Epicenter and its host organizations.
This position is in-person on-site at the Impact & Prosperity
Epicenter. On campus housing may be available to candidate as part
of the hiring package.
Learn more about the great benefits of working for
University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu
Responsibilities
Operational Excellence
- Leadership and Team Development
- Oversee front desk hospitality manager fostering a culture of
operational excellence and guest-centered service.
Ensure team productivity and support professional growth by
supervising recruitment, onboarding, and continuous training of
staff.
Conduct routine meetings with department leadership to ensure
alignment with operational goals and high standards.
Facility Management and Coordination
- Manage day-to-day operations of the Epicenter, prioritizing
resident, professional, and guest satisfaction in all aspects of
property management.
- Act as a liaison with Housing and Dining Programs, Office of
Residence Life, IT, Facilities and Maintenance, Auxiliary Services,
and Security teams to ensure cohesive, efficient operations.
- Establish and uphold policies and procedures to maintain
quality and consistency.
Sales and Occupancy Management
- In coordination with HDP, guide the housing application
process, resident selection, facility tours, room assignments, and
all coordination related to resident transitions and services.
- Serve as point of contact for residential inquiries regarding
rooms and booking process.
- Provide outstanding sales and outreach to students, parents,
staff, faculty, and guests.
- Lead outreach and recruitment including leading information
sessions and tours, building partnerships both internally and
externally, and researching avenues to recruit and market.
- Prepare and present reports on occupancy statistics and key
performance indicators.
- Communicate Epicenter programming and activities to prospective
students and parents
Communication and Reporting
- Provide regular updates to the Epicenter Executive Team,
sharing insights on key metrics, maintenance reports, resident
incidents, inspection outcomes, and occupancy rates.
- Address and resolve resident concerns, proactively identifying
solutions to building-related issues.
- Serve as point of contact for residents, prospective residents,
parents, and other internal and external audiences
Safety and Maintenance Oversight
- Cultivate a culture of safety among residents and implement
protocols to support adherence to university policies.
- Coordinate residence safety inspections and establish emergency
procedures.
- Work with maintenance teams to address facility needs, ensuring
a well-maintained, safe living environment.
Financial Management
- Budgeting and Financial Oversight
- In coordination with Finance Coordinated Services, manage the
Epicenter's P&L, develop a sustainable operating budget and
track financial performance.
- In coordination with Finance Coordinated Services, provide the
Epicenter Executive Team with periodic financial reports and
optimize expenses through targeted budget management.
- Strategize ways to maximize occupancy rates, including
year-round revenue opportunities to strengthen the financial health
of the property.
Resident and Guest Experience
- Student-Centered Culture
- Foster a supportive, student-centric environment that enhances
both the academic and social experience of residents.
- Program Implementation and Engagement
- Oversee the implementation of resident programming and events
as directed by the Epicenter Executive Team. Ensure activities
align with educational, cultural, wellness, and social goals to
create a well-rounded experience for residents and guests.
- Ensure consistent delivery of services, programming, and
activities that meet the Epicenter's objectives and the needs of
students, staff, and partners.
- Oversee the Residential student leaders engaged in residential
programming.
- Community Building and Accessibility
- Promote a welcoming and engaging environment that supports
students' social and academic growth.
- Lead residential move-in and move-out processes in coordination
with campus partners and student leaders
- Be a visible and approachable presence, regularly interacting
with residents and guests to build rapport and enhance the
community experience.
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, and external partners to
create meaningful programming and activities.
- Weave programming elements throughout the residential
experience to help resident students connect with the Sorenson
Impact Institute and the Center for Business Health and
Prosperity.
- Professional Workspace
- Ensure that the facilities and embedded technology are well
maintained to prevent workflow disruption for occupants of the
Changemaker Pavilion.
- Create a professional presence and welcoming impression for
guests of the Epicenter host organizations.
- Assure high-quality hospitality for all patrons of Café
Epicenter
- Events
- Make sure the events and activities held within the Epicenter
are well-managed, including assuring that they are well supported
and that sponsors of events and activities follow established
guidelines when utilizing facilities.
- Perform other related duties as assigned to support the
operational, financial, and experiential goals of the Epicenter and
its community of residents and guests.
Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education
can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience
(Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work
experience).
Director, Operations Management - Multi-Department
(Non-Executive): Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) +
12 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 10 years of directly
related work experience.
Preferences
Special Instructions
Requisition Number: PRN46533B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: Hours are typically 9:00 am to 5:00
pm but there may be additional evening or weekend hours needed on
occasion.
Department: 02279 - Impact & Prosperity Epicenter
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $105,000 - $165,000
Close Date: 01/14/2027
Open Until Filled:
To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/211129
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