Senior Director of Administration & Operations

The Senior Director of Administration & Operations leads our shared services teams and serves as our organizational integrator—ensuring all parts of our higher education institution work together seamlessly. Reporting to the President and serving on the senior leadership team, you will provide direct supervision to leaders in HR, IT, Accounting, and Campus Services while driving the integration of our systems, processes, people, and technologies. This role requires someone who can both execute work directly and lead teams through change—acting as a “conductor” who ensures all parts of our organization play in harmony. Working alongside our CFO, this role translates strategic vision into practical systems and guides us through operational transformation. We need a systems thinker with strong technical and project management capabilities who can foster collaboration and accountability within a highly relational organization.

Essential Functions

Shared Services Leadership & Organizational Coordination

• Oversee and coach HR, IT, Accounting, and Campus Services leaders.
• Build high-performing shared services teams with clear goals, metrics, and accountability structures
• Foster collaboration among shared services for integrated service delivery
• Develop leadership capacity within teams, coaching managers in change management and cross-functional collaboration
• Serve as organizational integrator, connecting systems, data, processes, and people across all departments to align internal functions with institutional goals
• Maintain strong campus presence to troubleshoot issues, support operations, and build relational capital across the institution, while bridging strategic priorities with operational realities
• Create clarity around decision-making authority, processes, roles, and accountability measures
• Collaborate with Dean of the Graduate School and Executive Directors of Centers to ensure operational processes are clear and operational needs are met

Systems & Technology Integration

• Design and implement scalable systems and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that unify operations
• Lead efforts to identify and align business needs with technology solutions, systems, and processes to support effective workflow and operations
• Conduct operational audits to identify and eliminate redundancies, streamline workflows, and improve efficiency
• Direct IT strategy, infrastructure, and support services
• Ensure data flows effectively across departments to enable informed decision-making and organizational agility

Financial & HR Compliance

• Oversee accounting operations including accounts payable/receivable, payroll processing and approval, and financial transaction monitoring
• Partner with fractional CFO on budget management, financial reporting, and internal controls
• Maintain working knowledge of nonprofit accounting standards and employment law requirements
• Guide HR operations including employee relations, benefits, and workforce planning, while ensuring HR and payroll compliance
• Support audit preparation and manage compliance reporting

Strategic Planning & Project Management

• Translate strategic goals into actionable operational plans with clear timelines, owners, and realistic resource allocation
• Manage complex, cross-departmental projects using strong project management methodologies
• Partner with business units to align shared services support with institutional priorities and available capacity, establishing clear workload boundaries and service commitments that enable sustainable, effective operations
• Build and deploy organizational project management culture, processes, and communication protocols

Change Management & Institutional Leadership

• Apply expert change management skills to guide the organization through operational transformations and cultural evolution
• Build trust and institutional authority to drive follow-through on cross-functional initiatives
• Serve as member of the senior leadership team, contributing to institutional strategy and communicating frequently across all levels of the organization

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

No candidate will possess every quality and the successful candidate will possess many of the following qualifications and personal attributes:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field
• Minimum 7-10 years of leadership experience in administration and operations
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple functional areas in higher education or complex nonprofit organizations
• Strong financial acumen including budgeting, accounting, and fiscal management
• Proven ability to assess, optimize, and implement business systems and software solutions
• Experience embedding equity and inclusion principles into operational practices
• Thorough knowledge of regulatory compliance, risk management, and Title IX requirements
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
• Appreciation for and alignment with The Seattle School mission and Statement of Faith

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Business, Public Administration, or related field
• Experience in higher education
• Experience managing operations across multiple affiliated entities
• Familiarity with accreditation processes (ATS, NWCCU, and Department of Education)
• Experience thriving in resource-limited nonprofit environments
• Demonstrated ability to do more with less while maintaining quality

Key Competencies:

• Exceptional collaboration and relationship-building across diverse stakeholders
• Strategic vision balanced with hands-on operational execution
• Integrative thinking that connects disparate functions into cohesive systems
• Resourcefulness and creativity in resource-constrained environments
• Servant leadership style aligned with mission-driven culture
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to bridge theological and psychological perspectives
• Strong ethical framework and unquestionable integrity
• Flexibility and adaptability in a lean organizational structure

Compensation & Benefits

The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology provides a competitive total compensation package (salary, benefits, time off and more), aligned with the Seattle nonprofit market. This position has an annualized pay range of $92,000 – $118,000. For this full-time position we offer generous paid time off, retirement benefits, a bus pass subsidy, tuition assistance benefits, medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance (100% employee premiums paid by employer) and a Health Savings Account. We also offer a flexible, supportive environment with colleagues committed to a common mission. Hours and schedule are negotiable, and can be done in a combination of remote and on-campus hours.

Application Process

To apply please submit your resume, cover letter and completed Employment Application (Statement of Faith included) to jobs@theseattleschool.edu. The posting will remain open until filled, with preference given to applications received by Monday, March 2, 2026.

The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology provides a competitive total compensation package (salary, benefits, time off and more), aligned with the Seattle nonprofit market. This position has an annualized pay range of $92,000 – $118,000. For this full-time position we offer generous paid time off, retirement benefits, a bus pass subsidy, tuition assistance benefits, medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance (100% employee premiums paid by employer) and a Health Savings Account. We also offer a flexible, supportive environment with colleagues committed to a common mission. Hours and schedule are negotiable, and can be done in a combination of remote and on-campus hours.