Southern Methodist University · 8 hours ago
Business Operations Manager, Office of Research and Innovation (HR Title: Administrative Specialist III)
Dallas, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
5+ years expSouthern Methodist University (SMU) is a prominent institution dedicated to academic excellence and innovative programs. The Business Operations Manager will support the Office of Research and Innovation by overseeing daily operations, managing procurement activities, and supervising student employees, while ensuring compliance with university policies and enhancing customer service.
EducationE-LearningUniversities
Responsibilities
Oversees daily workflows, including operations at Pegasus Park, ensuring compliance with university policies. Responsibilities include developing and implementing standardized processes, identifying improvements, and driving efficiency to support consistent service, streamlined practices, and effective research and administrative operations
The role is responsible for recruiting, training, scheduling, and supervising student employees who support ORI operations. The manager provides mentorship, monitors performance, and ensures accountability while fostering an environment that promotes growth and development
This role manages procurement activities, including purchase orders, P-card transactions, and vendor relationships, while ensuring compliance with university purchasing policies. The manager tracks contracts, invoices, and budgets to maintain fiscal accountability and align resources with organizational goals
Leads planning and logistics for ORI events, including Research Café, Research & Innovation Week, and conferences. Responsibilities include coordinating vendors, catering, communications, and budgets, while ensuring compliance with policies and attention to detail
Oversees facilities coordination across three offices, ensuring effective space planning, office moves, and workspace utilization. This includes liaising with Facilities, IT, and vendors to maintain safe and efficient environments while monitoring space usage, equipment needs, and compliance with university standards
In addition to the outlined responsibilities, the BOM may be assigned other duties as needed to support the overall success of the Office of Research and Innovation, such as support with the ORI website and ORI communications. This flexibility ensures the position can adapt to evolving priorities and emerging initiatives within the university
Occasional travel may be required between office sites and for events
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree and five years of work experience is required
An Associates with seven years of work experience is required
Business or operational management experience, including overseeing day to day operations, workflows, or programs is also required
Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies
Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills
A strong customer service orientation is essential
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving and critical analysis skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions
Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills
Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, manage shifting priorities, and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with multiple deadlines is essential
Candidate must have the ability to accomplish goals working through formal and informal channels, with diplomacy and tactfulness
Must also have demonstrated creativity, initiative, judgment, and decision-making skills
Demonstrated ability to develop and meet unit goals preferred
Candidate must be a self-starter who is comfortable taking on a higher level of responsibility, navigating ambiguous environments, and is adaptable to change
Must also be a team-focused individual that takes ownership of their work and pride in their team's success
Willingness to wear multiple hats and contribute to various types of ongoing projects is essential
Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft (Word, Excel, Outlook)
A working knowledge of Adobe, PeopleSoft, Grant Management Systems, and/or Project Management system (Monday, Teams, etc.)
Sit for long periods of time
Stand
Handle objects (dexterity)
Carry/lift 25 lbs
Preferred
Demonstrated ability to develop and meet unit goals preferred
Project management experience which includes guiding multi-projects, desired
Benefits
Health and related benefits
Health, dental, and vision plans
Wellness programs
Retirement programs
Professional and personal development opportunities
Tuition benefits
Company
Southern Methodist University
SMU is a distinguished center for teaching and research located near the heart of Dallas.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Southern Methodist University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (51)
2024 (39)
2023 (35)
2022 (26)
2021 (17)
2020 (20)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$101.8MKey Investors
Phillips FoundationTexas Workforce CommisionMoody Foundation
2023-06-14Grant· $1.7M
2022-07-07Grant· $0.1M
2019-11-12Grant· $100M
Leadership Team
Lisa Nelson
Adjunct Professor
Michael Hites
Chief Information Officer
Recent News
2025-12-28
Dallas Innovates
2025-12-12
Dallas Morning News
2025-11-07
Company data provided by crunchbase