Operations Specialist - Health, Sport, & Human Physiology
The Department of Health, Sport, and Human Physiology (HSHP) is seeking an Operations Specialist (Administrative Services Specialist, PAA2). As Operations Specialist, you will run the day-to-day operations of the HSHP main office and serve as the department's central point of contact for faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the public. The position pairs high-level administrative support for the Department Administrator with real ownership: you will supervise office staff, manage faculty review processes, shape the procedures the department runs on, and lead the communications that keep everyone informed. It is a position with a wide field of view and a high degree of discretion and independent judgment — a strong fit for an experienced administrative professional ready to move from executing processes to owning them.
This position not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.
Position is 100% on-site.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee main office operations, including front desk coverage, and serve as the first point of contact for students, faculty, alumni, and community inquiries.
- Provide administrative supervision of office staff— assigning work, coaching, delivering feedback, and conducting performance reviews.
- Manage promotion and tenure and other faculty review processes from start to finish, exercising a high degree of discretion with confidential materials.
- Provide high-level administrative support to the Department Administrator, including assistance with departmental budgeting needs.
- Monitor the departmental scholarship process, ensuring awards are applied in line with donor intentions in coordination with the Undergraduate and Graduate Program Committees and accounting staff.
- Plan and coordinate department-wide events and organize complex meetings; develop standard operating procedures and policies and support departmental goals with clear benchmarks and progress tracking.
- Lead departmental communications — website updates, the departmental communication plan, marketing and social media efforts, and timely notice of key events, deadlines, and policies to faculty, staff, and students.
For a full job description or questions about this position, please send an email to libby-kleppe@uiowa.edu
Education Required
- Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Required Qualifications
- At least three (3) years of relevant administrative experience.
- Advanced skill with a variety of desktop tools, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook calendaring, along with the willingness and ability to learn new software platforms as needed.
- Working knowledge of, and demonstrated ability to use, tools, techniques, and processes for gathering and reporting data.
- Excellent project management skills, including the ability to plan to both short-term and long-term deadlines to reach a desired outcome.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments about prioritization and time allocation.
- High attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills.
Desired Qualifications
- Basic experience with website maintenance.
- Working experience with electronic processing systems, such as Workflow.
- Basic knowledge of University policies and procedures.
- Experience supervising or directing the work of office or student staff.
Position and Application Details
For additional job details and to apply please visit https://jobs.uiowa.edu/ and access requisition #26004860.
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission.
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
For additional questions, please contact: Libby Kleppe at libby-kleppe@uiowa.edu
About Iowa
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success. Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation. Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.
Equal opportunity employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
