Job Description for the Director, Operations & Communications position. Review job description, requirements, and qualifications. Apply or register interest for the position.

Title: Director, Operations & Communications

Position Type: Staff Full-Time

Days Per Week: Monday - Friday

Hours Per Week: 40

VP Area: Strategic Initiatives

Department: Student Professional Development Center/Career Services

Position Summary

The Director of Operations & Communications plays a pivotal leadership role within Elon’s Student Professional Development Center (SPDC), guiding the strategic direction of operations, communications, and data systems that support student career success. Acting as a senior operational partner to the Associate Vice President of Student Professional Development, they will ensure the seamless delivery of all SPDC services by managing office and administrative operations, event execution, optimizing technology platforms, and guiding the strategic direction of all communications efforts. Through cross-functional collaboration, data-informed decision making, and a commitment to continuous improvement, the Director helps foster a dynamic and responsive environment that prepares students for meaningful professional lives while elevating the SPDC’s visibility and impact.

Benefits of Working at Elon

As an Elon University employee, you’ll join an internationally acclaimed university with a commitment to fostering a thriving community. Ranked among the most innovative, creative and best-run universities in the nation, Elon’s personal approach to education extends to employees, whose growth, professional development and success is a hallmark of our training and advancement opportunities.

Elon University’s home is the charming town of Elon, North Carolina, a small, friendly community located a short distance from the beach and the mountains, and among the vibrant cities of Greensboro, Raleigh and Durham. In addition to the beautiful canopy of historic oak trees iconic to our campus, you’ll find boundless opportunities for family-friendly recreation, cultural events and outdoor activities. Hiking, water sports, fine dining and entertainment are just a few of the many happenings in the Elon area, making the region one of the nation’s premier travel destinations.

Employees at Elon enjoy a generous and comprehensive benefits package that includes:

28 annual days off, including holidays and vacation.

Immediate tuition remission for undergraduate courses

Tuition remission for approved graduate-level courses after 12 months of employment.

Retirement plan with an 8 percent contribution from the university.

Immediate eligibility for health, dental and vision insurance, along with free acute care and lab services at our onsite Health & Wellness Clinic.

Free use of campus fitness facilities.

Free admission to musical and theater performances, guest speakers, religious and ethnic observances, recitals, art exhibitions, entertainment and our Division I Phoenix athletics.

Eligibility for tuition remission at Elon for spouses, qualifying domestic partners and dependents begins at two years of service. After two years of employment, eligibility begins for participation in the Tuition Exchange, a national scholarship exchange program that enables dependents to enroll in nationally recognized partner colleges and universities.

Elon values and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences and perspectives of our community members. As an equal opportunity employer, Elon’s principles of diversity extend to race and gender identity, age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and other aspects of one’s identity. At Elon, our employees respect human differences, passion for lifelong learning, emphasis on personal integrity and an ethic of service.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of professional work experience including a minimum of two years at a supervisory level.

Preferred Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of professional work experience including a minimum of two years at a supervisory level. Previous experience working in a higher ed environment. Previous experience with the collection and distribution of first destination/career outcomes data. Previous experience working in a matrixed work environment.

Job Duties

• Operational Strategy & Administration
  • Develop and manage administrative processes that ensure the smooth flow of work across the SPDC, including scheduling, resource allocation, onboarding, and internal coordination.
  • Operationalize strategic goals by translating them into systems, procedures, and workflows that ensure alignment, accountability, and shared success.
  • Create and monitor customer service practices and success metrics to ensure a responsive and student-centered experience.
  • Lead special projects and cross-functional initiatives that enhance operational effectiveness and collaboration.
• Technology & Systems Leadership
  • Serve as the lead administrator for the SPDC’s technology tools and platforms, overseeing configuration, troubleshooting, and optimization.
  • Evaluate and implement new technologies that improve operational workflows, data management, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Liaise with IT and external vendors to ensure platforms meet the evolving needs of students, staff, and employers.
  • Provide training and support to SPDC staff on technology platforms and systems. Provide secondary supervision to staff supporting the SPDC’s career services platform.
• Data & Reporting Infrastructure
  • Oversee the collection, analysis, and reporting of employment outcomes and engagement metrics to inform strategic planning and continuous improvement.
  • Partner and coordinate with colleagues across campus, as needed, providing direction and oversight to ensure alignment with standards. Ensure data integrity and compliance with institutional and industry standards.
  • Respond to internal and external data requests, including benchmarking studies and media surveys. Use data insights to inform program development, employer outreach, and student engagement strategies.
• Event Management & Execution
  • Oversee the planning and execution of all SPDC events, including but not limited to employer engagement, career education, and signature events/programs/initiatives.
  • Ensure consistency and quality across event logistics, hospitality, technology setup, and vendor coordination. Provide secondary supervision and alignment to staff supporting events.
  • Manage event budgets and resource planning to support strategic priorities and financial sustainability. Collaborate with campus partners to coordinate space reservations and align event programming with institutional calendars.
• Communications Strategy & Oversight
  • Provides supervisory oversight to the Associate Director of Communications, who manages the strategic vision and deliverables for SPDC marketing and communications efforts.
  • Ensure consistent, student-centered messaging across digital platforms, print materials, and other channels that promote SPDC services, carer success stories, and other strategic initiatives and partnerships.
  • Support collaboration with University Communications and campus partners to align messaging with Elon’s brand and amplify the SPDC’s reach.
  • Monitor communication effectiveness and support the Associate Director in adapting strategies based on engagement data and stakeholder feedback.
• Budget & Resource Management
  • Provides supervisory oversight to the Program Assistant, Operations, who supports financial operations and purchasing efforts for the SPDC. Manages the SPDC’s operational budget, including forecasting, tracking, and reporting.
  • Oversee contracts, vendor agreements, and procurement processes. Ensure responsible stewardship of resources and alignment with university financial policies.

• Inclusive Community Building Community is foundational to Elon and a shared responsibility within our residential campus. All who work at Elon should demonstrate an understanding of and engagement with Elon’s foundational commitment to relationships, mentoring and collaboration in a close-knit residential community. We embrace the shared responsibility to foster inclusive excellence within a strong residential community. Accordingly, employees are expected to join together and build connections in activities that foster an active and engaged campus environment and engage in professional development to support the shared responsibility of enriching diversity, equity, and inclusion through meaningful relationships and mentoring at Elon. Employees are encouraged to, for example, attend or participate in campus activities such as College Coffee, Numen Lumen, campus cultural events, athletic events, continuing education, professional development opportunities and trainings, employee resource groups and other university-sponsored activities to demonstrate an active commitment to the Elon community.