Operations and Strategic Projects Manager

Operations and Strategic Projects Manager

The Department of Medicine (DOM) is seeking an innovative and resourceful operations and strategic projects manager to join its central administration team. This role serves as the operational manager for the central staff unit and is also responsible for advancing strategic initiatives in areas such as space, IT, and other high-level departmental priorities. The operations and strategic projects manager provides day-to-day leadership for the central staff unit. Responsibilities include managing personnel actions (recruitment, compliance, performance, and retention) and developing team goals that support both the department's operational needs and the professional growth of its members. Working in collaboration with the director of staff experience, the manager fosters a culture of engagement, develops staff, and ensures workloads are balanced across project and program managers so that deadlines are met and quality standards remain high. The manager will also directly manage projects as needed and serve as a backup for project managers in the Chair's Office. The role also develops and implements tools to enhance efficiency across all divisions, standardizes best practices, and acts as the primary liaison for campus-wide operational initiatives. The manager leads special projects from conception to completion, engaging stakeholders at all levels and ensuring successful delivery. Duties include collecting and analyzing data to inform decision-making, and producing presentations, training materials, FAQs, and data-driven reports for DOM leadership and divisions. The manager also contributes to training curriculum and professional development resources for administrative officers across the department. The operations and strategic projects manager shares oversight of space and facilities with the manager of space, facilities and research initiatives. Together, they serve as departmental points of contact for divisional space needs, from allocation and renovation to long-term planning. Given DOM's extensive demands at the Parnassus and Mission Bay campuses, the incumbent plays a critical role in maintaining an up-to-date record of space utilization and supporting UCSF-wide space planning. The manager also leads innovation, implementation, and management of high-level IT solutions, including AI technologies and audio / videoconferencing systems. Partnering with departmental and divisional leadership, the incumbent devises creative solutions, manages project budgets and deliverables, and develops proposals that address evolving IT needs. In addition to HR-related functions such as job postings, recruiting, and onboarding for the central unit, the manager supports the development and training of administrative staff. The incumbent may also provide temporary, high-level administrative support to divisions when needed, ensuring seamless operations during staffing gaps. The operations and strategic projects manager must work creatively and independently, managing multiple projects with competing deadlines. The role requires strong self-motivation, excellent verbal and written communication, and advanced project management skills, including the effective use of professional tools and techniques.