Job Details

Business Operations Manager, Office of Research and Innovation (HR Title: Administrative Specialist III)

Position Number: 6923481
Location: Dallas, TX
Position Type: Sponsored Programs, Grants, and Contracts

Business Operations Manager, Office of Research and Innovation (HR Title: Administrative Specialist III)

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

The Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) as well as the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies advance the goals of SMU's 2nd Century Strategic Plan to enhance the academic quality and stature of the University by supporting and safeguarding the growth of research and graduate education.

The ORI aims to provide leadership, quality communication, responsiveness and transparency to the research community.

The ORI provides leadership in the development of new research initiatives, guidance and assistance through intellectual property development, grant management, and adherence to regulations and policies, and facilitates graduate recruitment, retention and graduation.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Business Operations Manager (BOM) supports the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) across its three offices (on- and off-site), overseeing facilities, procurement, purchasing, HR functions, operations, and event planning. This role manages daily workflows, supervises student employees, and ensures compliance with university policies and procedures. The manager also evaluates, plans, and implements process improvements to streamline research operations, optimize resources, and enhance customer service for faculty, staff, and students. By coordinating operations, supporting HR needs, and fostering innovation, the Business Operations Manager contributes directly to advancing ORI's mission. This position reports directly to the Director of Operations and Infrastructure, while also providing support to the Director of the Institute of Computational Biosciences.

Essential Functions:

Operational Management & Policies: 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.
Student Supervision: 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.
Procurement & Purchasing: 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.
Event Planning: Leads planning and logistics for ORI events, including Research Cafe, Research & Innovation Week, and conferences. Responsibilities include coordinating vendors, catering, communications, and budgets, while ensuring compliance with policies and attention to detail.
Facilities Management: 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.
Other Duties as Assigned: 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.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree and five years of work experience is required.

OR

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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

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. Project management experience which includes guiding multi-projects, desired.

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.)

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Sit for long periods of time
Stand
Handle objects (dexterity)
Carry/lift 25 lbs.

Deadline to Apply:

March 2, 2026

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by February 20, 2026.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas

Job: Research

Organization: Provost - Other

Schedule: Regular

Shift: Staff

Employee Status: Individual Contributor

Job Type: Full-time

Job Level: Day Job

Travel: No

Job Posting: Feb 11, 2026, 10:14:47 PM

To apply, visit https://smu.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=PRO00000354&tz=GMT%2B00%3A00&tzname=UTC