CASTL Director of Operations

The Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL), within the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development seeks applicants for a full-time Director of Operations.

Founded in 2006, CASTL is an interdisciplinary research center within the University of Virginia's School of Education & Human Development (EHD) that aims to advance the quality of teaching and learning in education settings. Our research initiatives span the globe, and our faculty are leading the way to promote meaningful, evidence-informed changes in education through partnerships with practitioners and policymakers. We believe effective teaching and learning are the foundation for opportunity, success and well-being. Our mission is to advance the quality and impact of teaching through scientific study in educational settings from infancy to higher education. CASTL is currently the largest research center in EHD with annual operating sources of approximately $40 million for Fiscal Year 2026. CASTL includes over 200 total faculty and staff, including 22 affiliated faculty, all of whom are highly productive scholars with diverse areas of expertise.

The incumbent will manage the day-to-day operations of CASTL, including people operations, space and facilities, internal communications, technology resource allocation, and all other general office operations. This individual will also work closely with CASTL's Director, EHD's Office of Research Administration, and the Dean's Office finance and budget leaders to ensure successful operation of the Center's diverse and growing research portfolio, in alignment with the Center's strategic plans.

Responsibilities

• In cooperation with EHD's HR Business Partner, primary recruiting contacts, hiring managers, other HR staff, and research administration staff, coordinate recruitment, staffing, position control, total compensation, training, employee relations, and organizational development for the Center.
• Collaborate closely with Office of Research Administration staff to manage CASTL's extensive research portfolio, which includes helping to organize and execute research budgets. Maintain knowledge of University budgetary and financial policy and procedure and ensure its implementation. Develop Center procedures to ensure communication of information, data analysis and its use in budget decisions and spending, and compliance on processes. This includes processes such monitoring expenditures and approving financial actions for the Center within Workday.
• Oversee and coordinate day-to-day Center administrative operations. Develop, interpret and implement administrative and business policies and procedures in coordination with Dean's Office Directors to ensure use of best practices and optimization of service to CASTL faculty and staff.
• Serve as a representative of the Center and the Director school-wide.
• Oversee and direct all aspects of facilities management in coordination with the Director and appropriate school-level staff to include space management, staff/faculty space assignments, key control, moving furniture/equipment, and other related tasks.
• Oversee 2-3 FTE of fiscal support staff, coordinating all accounts payable, procurement, and Travel and Expense Card activities in the Center.
• Works with the EHD Educational Technologies Office (ETO) to coordinate the information technology needs of the Center. This includes ordering/replacing technology equipment, and keeping an inventory of the Center's technology assets.
• Plan and execute CASTL-wide events including PI meetings, Work in Progress meetings, holiday events, and other events, as necessary.
• Produces regular internal communications to facilitate shared learnings and sense of community, as well as collaborates with the Director to produce an annual report of Center activity and accomplishments.
• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree
• Experience: Four years of increasingly responsible management and administrative responsibility is required. Two years of supervisory experience is required. Relevant exempt level experience may substitute for a degree.

Preferred Qualifications

Significant preference will be given to those candidates who meet some or all preferred qualifications.

• Experience as a manager of a research center/unit in a higher education setting or not for profit organization.
• 8+ years of relevant, increasingly responsible experience.
• Experience with human resource management in a complex, multi-source funded organization.
• Experience in research administration, including pre- and/or post-award support.
• Experience creating and fostering interdisciplinary community engagement.
• Familiarity with software platforms such as Workday, Microsoft 365, Airtable, OneDrive, and Zoom.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $90,000 - $112,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Anticipated Start Date: May 2026

Position Type & Work Location

• This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.
• This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability.
• This is an in-person position based in Charlottesville, VA, and is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 2 days on Grounds per week, with additional on-site presence as needed, in accordance with UVA's remote work guidelines.

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.

Application review will begin after Friday, April 10, 2026. Preference will be given to applications received by this date. This position will remain open until filled.

Additional Requirements

• Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
• This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

How to Apply

Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0082075. Complete an application with the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter - must be included to be considered. Candidates are strongly encouraged to use the cover letter as an opportunity to detail how their experience and background align with the preferred qualifications.

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on theUVA Internal Careers website.

Reference checks will be completed by UVA's third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Contact

For questions about the position, please contact Jason Downer, jd2fe@virginia.edu.

For questions about the application process, please contact Karon Harrington, fak3ph@virginia.edu.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.