Cross-Departmental Operations Manager - Meridian University : Job Details

About the PositionMeridian University is seeking an individual experienced with managing operations across multiple departments. This role involves process management, project management, and quality assurance.Classification: Full TimeBase Working Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:45am-5:15pm Pacific TimeLocation: On site at Meridian University's Los Angeles Center in Santa Monica, CAThis position is not eligible for hybrid or remote work.Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, 401(k), PTO, Sick Time, Paid HolidaysPerks: Wellbeing app subscriptions, commuter cost support, team mealsStart Date: On or after September 1, 2025Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and coach teams toward operational excellence, with a hands-on approach to both strategy and execution.
• Build, optimize, and run complex, multistep processes that support departmental and institutional goals.
• Lead initiatives related to knowledge management, automation, and efficiency, with a focus on long-term impact.
• Identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement, and implement creative, scalable solutions.
• Support team members with activities such as case management, program scheduling, liaising, and research.
• Monitor quality and progress across initiatives, establish clear expectations, and report regularly.
• Document processes and build systems that support sustainable growth and cross-functional collaboration.
• Engage in ad-hoc projects and evolving priorities with agility and ownership.
• Represent your department in strategic conversations, contributing ideas that serve students and strengthen the university.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience guiding and motivating teams, with a focus on outcomes and accountability.
• Demonstrated commitment to mission over ego, evidenced by humble leadership and a willingness to contribute at the ground level.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Comfort with ambiguity and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Willingness to take ownership of departmental success and drive meaningful change.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to present to executive and technical audiences.
• Strong written communication skills, especially in translating complex topics into clear, actionable language.
• Self-management skills, including time management, initiative, and diligence.
• Bachelor's degree or higher.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a higher education setting or as a graduate-level student.
• Experience in a startup or similarly dynamic environment.
• Experience coaching others on both technical and interpersonal skills, even outside of formal management roles.
• Experience with process improvement, documentation, and change management.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or other CRM/case management systems.
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 tools (Teams, Outlook, Excel, Power BI, etc.).
• Strong technical competency in any of the following fields:
  • Customer care infrastructure
  • Data analytics and business intelligence
  • IT Services
  • Marketing

Mindset & Approach

• You are a player-coach: you lead by doing, delegate wisely, and take full ownership of outcomes.
• You manage systems, not people, but you care deeply about the quality of team outputs and know how to coach others.
• You are solution-oriented, not status quo-complacent. You see problems, find more problems, and move the department forward with grace and strategy.
• You are thorough, proactive, and reliable. You don't wait for gaps to be filled-you fill them.
• You are comfortable with change, ambiguity, and evolving priorities. You help shape the work, not just follow it.
• You are strategic and cross-functional, thinking about your role, your department, and the university all at once.
• You are not dramatic. You handle challenges with composure and ask for support when needed.
• You are curious and creative, eager to explore new opportunities and propose ideas that haven't been considered.
• You are growth-minded, always looking for ways to improve yourself, your team, and your impact.
• You are eager to contribute, speak up in meetings, and share ideas-even when not prompted.
• You are accountable. If your work isn't used, you feel responsible. You'd rather have a hard conversation than do the wrong thing.
• You are resourceful. You don't ask questions that have readily available answers-you find them first.

About Meridian UniversityFounded more than 30 years ago, Meridian University enrolls students globally in its unique, hybrid and 100% online graduate degree, certificate, and public programs. The University offers master's and doctoral programs in Psychology, Education and Business with diverse concentrations available within each of these programs.Meridian graduates engage in varied professional contexts that include coaching, psychotherapy, organizational development, facilitation, social healing, social entrepreneurship, and transformative leadership. The University's integrated, innovative curriculum is designed to be experiential and transformative.Meridian University's facilities include the Los Angeles Campus, San Francisco Bay Area Center, and additional centers outside of California.How to ApplyA cover letter and resume are required. In your cover letter, speak to your alignment with Meridian's vision and mission as well as your skills and capacities relevant to the role description and qualifications.Please do not call, email, or drop in regarding your application. We cannot respond to all applications due to the volume received.Meridian is committed to diversity across all criteria-of-difference in its staff, faculty, and students through affirmative hiring policies and practices as well as global availability of positions and educational offerings.Application and Onboarding ProcessPhase 1: Interviews

Select applicants are invited to a 15-minute, video-enabled, initial interview.

Top candidates are invited to a 30-minute second interview either in person at one of our locations or by video conference depending upon the location and scope of the position.

Final candidate(s) are invited to a stage of mutual diligence in which both the candidate and the University verify there is a mutual good fit. Candidates will have the opportunity to review various structure and culture materials to gain a sense of how Meridian operates, and this stage may also include assessments tailored to the job requirements.

Phase 2: Project-Based Contract

After the mutual diligence stage, if there is a mutual interest, candidates are offered the opportunity to participate in a paid multi-week contract where they will contribute actual work.

After a successful set of project deliverables, candidates are extended a written full-time onsite offer for their review.

Phase 3: Onboarding

On their first day, full-time team members are assigned an onboarding manager and are given access to a role-specific checklist which acts a guide through Meridian's four-week onboarding process.

In their first week, team members onboard into technical and facilities systems and otherwise learn how to engage as a Meridian team member. They also begin 'process management' work and deliver real results.

Over their second, third, and fourth weeks, team members complete the onboarding process.

Meridian University reserves the right to deviate from the process above in certain circumstances related to specific role recruitments or recruitment needs.