Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Semester in LA (SiLA), the SiLA Operations Manager serves as the key administrative and operational lead for the college’s LA satellite campus. This role oversees the full spectrum of office, financial, facilities, and program operations to ensure a professional, efficient, and student-centered environment. This position acts as the on-site point of contact for faculty, students, and visiting guests, exercising discretion and independent judgment in matters of institutional significance, including policy implementation, budget, time-sensitive matters, vendor management, and operational planning and oversight. This position involves occasional weekend and after-hours support to deliver academic programming/events and meet project deadlines.

This position regularly handles confidential information related to student records, mental health issues, faculty evaluations, personnel scheduling, and financial documentation. The Operations Manager must maintain strict discretion and exercise sound judgment in managing sensitive information.

Flex work options available.

Duties & Responsibilities

Oversee the daily operations of the Los Angeles office, ensuring the environment remains professional, productive, and aligned with institutional values.
Manage procurement, vendor relations, and purchasing for all office, classroom, and program needs.
Evaluate vendor contracts, recommend efficiencies, and ensure adherence to institutional policies.
Serve as the primary liaison with building management, technology, and security services, addressing facilities issues, access, safety compliance, and long-term operational improvements.
Oversee area-specific budgets, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely reconciliation of program expenses and p-card statements.
Maintain and analyze databases for expenses, student data, and program metrics, using systems such and work directly with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Associate Provost for Accreditation and Assessment to provide data and reporting that supports program evaluation and accreditation standards.
Prepare and present financial and operational reports for strategic planning and decision-making.
Lead the planning and on-site execution of all program events, including student orientations, information sessions, alumni gatherings, industry panels, guest lectures, and visits from college leadership and partners.
Oversee student excursions and field experiences, ensuring proper supervision, transportation coordination, payments, and adherence to safety and security protocols.
Manage all actionable logistics, including scheduling, parking and lot access, hospitality, audiovisual setup, communications, and post-event evaluation.
Serve as the primary liaison with internal departments, external vendors, and studio representatives to ensure that all activities comply with college policies, contractual requirements, and on-lot/off-site regulations.
Hire, train, and supervise student assistants, volunteers, and alumni; and delegate responsibilities and provide coaching to foster professionalism and reliability.
Provide first-line support for faculty, students, and guests, responding to inquiries and resolving operational concerns with discretion and empathy during the workday and off-hours.
Manage sensitive matters involving student well-being, academic performance, and mental health concerns, always maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
Act as the key communication conduit between the Los Angeles and Chicago campuses, ensuring seamless coordination of academic and administrative operations.
Represent the LA office in communications with vendors, corporate partners, and internal departments, such as marketing.
Supervise and oversee poster and marketing art.
Support the development of SiLA communications, including updates to the website, newsletters, and social media aligned with college messaging.
Perform other related duties and/or responsibilities as assigned or required.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in office management, operations, or administration.
Demonstrated success in roles requiring independent decision-making, financial management, and process improvement, including experience managing payments, vendor contracts, and budget reconciliation.
Proven ability to oversee financial transactions, such as paying vendors, processing invoices, reconciling program expenses and p-cards, and ensuring compliance with institutional and accounting standards.
Experience with budget planning, financial reporting, and cost analysis to support program efficiency and accountability.
Experience with vendor management, budgeting, and data tracking in an educational or creative-industry environment.
Prior experience supervising or mentoring student, volunteer or staff employees preferred.
Advanced organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
Strong analytical and decision-making abilities with a focus on operational problem-solving.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Adobe Acrobat, and other administrative or financial systems.
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters, especially related to student and faculty wellbeing with maturity and professionalism.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and institutional excellence.
Proactive, dependable, and self-directed.
Professional and approachable, with the ability to foster a collaborative culture.
Adaptable to changing institutional priorities while maintaining composure and focus.
Ability to work extended hours and weekends required.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college.

Annual Salary: $68,640.00

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including department budget.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life, and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits.

Click here for more information.

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement, and real-world experiences.

Additional Information

Position subject to a background screening

This is a union position
This is a full-time position
This position is overtime ineligible

Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.

Operations Manager

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