Director Operations Education

Overview

This position is responsible for leading a complex, fast-paced environment with a significant budget and a talented team of over 80 professionals—including 10+ direct reports—across Education, Facilities, and Information Technology.

In this pivotal role, you’ll shape a world-class learning experience that directly influences student enrollment, retention, and long-term success. You’ll be the driving force behind operational excellence, fostering collaboration, innovation, and a culture of continuous improvement. Your leadership will ensure consistent, high-quality education delivery while empowering teams to perform at their best.

This is more than a job—it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact on students’ lives and the future of education.

What We Offer:

• $103k - $130k annual• Weekends OFF• Paid Training• FREE UTI or Concorde Tuition for you AND your Immediate Family• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Ins/STD & LTD Ins• 401K, Paid Holidays, Paid Time Off• Paid Parental Leave• ADD OTHER BENEFITS

Responsibilities

• Lead Cross-Functional ExcellenceDrive operational success across education, facilities, and IT by focusing on key performance metrics (e.g., P&L, student-to-instructor ratio, campus program mix). Champion data-driven decision-making, talent development, and change management to ensure a high-performing, mission-aligned environment.

• Lead and direct reports. 

• Inspire and Guide Educational LeadershipOversee second-level leaders who manage instructional teams, ensuring a consistent, high-quality student experience. Foster a culture of academic excellence by supporting curriculum delivery, classroom readiness, and a safe, engaging learning environment.

• Drive Campus-Wide CollaborationPartner with campus leaders to optimize outcomes such as student persistence, retention, employment, and financial performance. Align operational strategies with educational goals to create a unified, student-centered campus culture.

• Ensure Seamless IT OperationsMonitor and resolve technical issues in alignment with IT service level agreements (SLAs), ensuring minimal disruption to learning and operations.

• Oversee Facilities and Equipment ReadinessManage the maintenance of campus facilities, instructional equipment, and training aids to ensure a safe, functional, and inspiring learning environment.

• Champion Campus Safety and ComplianceLead safety initiatives and ensure adherence to all legal, regulatory, and accrediting standards, including industry partner expectations and Clery Act reporting as a designated Campus Security Authority (CSA).

• Build and Elevate High-Performing TeamsRecruit, develop, and retain top operational talent. Foster a culture of accountability, recognition, and continuous improvement through coaching, performance management, and career development.

• Recognize and Reward ExcellenceCelebrate team achievements and individual contributions to reinforce a culture of engagement, motivation, and shared success.

• Adapt and ExcelEmbrace additional responsibilities as needed to support the evolving needs of the campus and its mission.

Qualifications

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required, Business Administration or Management preferred
• 10 years of progressive professional experience in operations or service related industry
• 5 years leadership or management experience in operations or service related industry including P&L/budgetary responsibility

Skills

• Project Management and strategic thinking skills
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Leadership skills in areas such as motivating, building a strong culture, change management, driving customer service excellence and the ability to create a highly desirable workplace.
• Excel at leading, motivating, coaching and developing their team
• Time management and organization skills, can adapt to a changing fast-paced environment
• Problem solving, analytical and decision making skills, using good judgment and professionalism
• Public speaking, and computer skills
• Ability to navigate in a matrix organization
• Ability to identify trends and continually improve processes

Abilities

• Must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 5 pounds or less throughout the workday.
• Must be able to talk, see, hear, concentrate, think, learn and reason for all of the workday.
• Must be able to sit and walk or otherwise move around for prolonged periods of time throughout the workday.
• Must be able to use a keyboard and do manual tasks for prolonged periods of time throughout the workday.
• May require some occasional overnight travel.

 Work Environment

• Work is performed indoors in a climate controlled environment.
• Work is infrequently performed near moving mechanical parts
• Short periods of limited exposure to non-hazardous levels of dust, light welding fumes or airborne particles.

About Us:It’s all about the reputation. 60 years of experience, trusted by 35+ industry leading brands, 16 campuses, 5 technical schools. But it’s not all about the numbers. Here at Universal Technical Institute and its family of schools, we care about YOU. We care about making a change in the lives of our employees and our students. We’re on a mission to expand our reach and increase our impact, one life at a time and that starts with yours...Come and be a part of our legacy!

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