Operations and Strategic Initiatives Manager

Job Description

The Operations and Strategic Initiatives Manager is responsible for strategically managing internal operations for the Dole Institute of Politics (DIOP). Key to this position are four things : 1) facilities and operations management including overseeing visitor services and the administrative office managing custodial and maintenance work orders procuring and managing technical / audio-visual equipment and services for DIOP programs and ensuring building compliance with all security and safety regulations; 2) budgetary and fiscal management including working with the Director to ensure fiscal responsibility and set budget priorities collaborating with DIOP staff on departmental budgets collaborating with KU shared service center staff on procurement and payment processing and managing strategic financial planning tracking projecting and reporting for both DIOP as a whole and specific projects; 3) human resources including liaising with KU human resources and shared service center staff supporting DIOP staff in hiring procedures and overseeing employee benefits and trainings; and 4) evaluation and assessment including developing and or helping to develop institution-wide and program-specific evaluation plans including metrics and benchmarks tracking DIOP audiences and visitors and creating annual reports on DIOP fiscal wellbeing and programmatic addition this position is responsible for the day-to-day operations of DIOP and has 2 to 3 direct reports at any given time. This position reports directly to the DIOP Director.

Position Duties :

Facilities and Operations Management (40%)

• Supervises and assesses Visitor Services staffing and functions. Supervises the Office Manager in their work as key office support personnel for DIOP staff.
• Supervises and assesses up to one additional staff member central to the daily operations of DIOP as requested by the Director.
• Manages coordinates and administers DIOP technology assets including :
• Manages institutional calendar including public student and internal events calendars.
• Oversees maintenance of website and digital accounts.
• Supports long term planning for Archives platforms.
• Oversees DIOP building and grounds including :

Manages the building security system ensuring all personnel are trained on building security procedures and granted appropriate authorities and access. Includes management of keys security codes and records. Responsible for after-hours emergency response.

Budgetary and Fiscal Management (20%)

Human Resources (20%)

Evaluation and Assessment (20%)

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color ethnicity religion sex national origin age ancestry disability status as a veteran sexual orientation marital status parental status gender identity gender expression and genetic information in the universitys programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses : Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX Room 1082 Dole Human Development Center 1000 Sunnyside Avenue Lawrence KSTTY.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Contact Information to Applicants

Sophie ODempsey

Position Overview

The Dole Institute of Politics (DIOP) at the University of Kansas is an educational institution dedicated to developing a new era of leadership that uses politics to bring people together through opportunities that emphasize bipartisan cooperation public service and civic education and engagement. Inspired by the leadership and service of Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole our vision holds that politics is an opportunity to connect across differences.

In 2024 the DIOP adopted a three-year strategic plan that identified three principal areas for growth and development : new generations of leaders (KU students and K-12 statewide) foundations & legacy and a vibrant community of 2026 along with the nation we will commemorate the 250th of the Declaration of Independence with a variety of programs and discussions on challenges and opportunities of the past present and future.

We are looking for an experienced non-profit or cultural heritage organization administrator to manage the daily operations and key assets (human financial digital physical) of the Institute and planned for sustained excellence and assist with Institute strategic development. Our community of staff students and supporters is active and thriving.

Senator Bob Doles legacy at the University of Kansas was established in 1997 upon the gift of his papers to KU. The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics was dedicated in 2003 in KUs West District and became home to the Senator Elizabeth Dole legacy upon the gift of her papers in 2017. The Dole Institute is an active programming forum for all ages attracting program guests representing a variety of political perspectives and engaging in civil conversation from across the country and around the world. The Dole Institute is also home to museum galleries dedicated to the legacies of Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole featuring the largest stained-glass American flag in the world a memory wall dedicated to Kansas veterans of WWII and the recently renovated Elizabeth Dole Gallery and Reading Room. The Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections department is responsible for collections research and exhibits at the Dole Institute. Both Senators personal papers and congressional materials are publicly available for research attracting scholars from all over the world.

In addition to a competitive salary KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year 8 hours of sick leave earned every month nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day a retirement program medical & dental insurance life and disability insurance other benefit plan options and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities. KU is a great place to work! The University actively encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Additional Candidate Instruction

In addition to the online application the following documents are required to be considered for this position :

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins Tuesday December 2nd 2025 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

Required Experience :

Manager

Key Skills

Bidding,Crane,Finance Management,Accountancy,Avionics,Blackberry

Employment Type : Full Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1