OPERATIONS MANAGER, OLLI

About the University of Denver

The University of Denver (DU), a private university, is the oldest independent university in the Rocky Mountain region, with over 12,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. DU is classified as an R1: Doctoral University. As a top-tier private institution, we are dedicated to making positive change in the world through innovative education, lifelong learning, and community contribution.

About OLLI at DU

OLLI at DU is a vibrant lifelong learning community serving over 2,000 members annually — adults aged 50 and older. Our mission is to enrich the lives of our members through a high-quality learning and social environment. We offer a wide range of courses, lectures, webinars, social events, and travel opportunities across five metro Denver locations and online. Our member-driven organization relies on volunteer facilitators who share their expertise and passion with fellow learners. OLLI at DU, part of a national network of more than 120 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, is the College of Professional Studies’ community-centered home for lifelong learning.

Position Summary

The Operations Manager oversees day-to-day operations for all OLLI programs across multiple sites and formats, ensuring efficient, high-quality program delivery and an exceptional member experience. The role blends strategic operational leadership with hands-on coordination of facilities, logistics, volunteers, and special programs including travel.

Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the Director of Programming, the Operations Manager supervises the Member Services Specialist and the Digital Communications and Technology Coordinator. The position oversees operations at five metro Denver sites and online, leads volunteer recruitment and retention, manages the travel program, and provides essential operational support.

Essential Functions

Site Operations & Logistics Management

• Multi-Site Oversight: Oversee program logistics for all metro Denver sites, online and hybrid programs, OLLI FIT, and periodic community-based programs, ensuring seamless delivery and excellent member experiences across all locations and formats
• Site Contracts & Expenses: Negotiate site contract terms subject to Executive Director approval; monitor and report site-level expenses to ensure cost-effective use of resources
• Course Logistics: Assign classrooms for all courses and locations based on attendance, AV requirements, and facilitator preferences; provide final approval of course logistics for catalog publication
• Staffing & Coverage: Ensure staff and volunteer coverage as needed for in-person and online courses, programs, and events
• Community Programs: In collaboration with the Executive Director and Director of Programming, organize and coordinate programs at senior communities, manage logistics, and assess program effectiveness to support successful implementation and expansion
• Friday STEM: Provide operational oversight for Friday STEM webinar series and manage related logistics

Volunteer Program Management

• Volunteer Program: Manage the volunteer program, including recruiting, training, scheduling, recognizing, and retaining all volunteers across all programs and sites
• IT Volunteers: Manage, organize, and train IT volunteers at each site, ensuring technical support coverage and volunteer readiness
• Class Assistants: Recruit class assistants for in-person and online classes
• Special Events: With guidance from the Executive Director, oversee registration and volunteer staffing for senior fairs and special events

Travel Program Management

• Program Oversight: Manage the travel program, recommending destinations for Executive Director approval, overseeing travel company partnerships, coordinating marketing, and collaborating with the Director of Programming to align related course offerings and facilitators
• Event Coordination: Schedule and host travel company presentations; coordinate pre-event planning calls and post-event group gatherings; conduct member satisfaction surveys
• Collaborative Travel: Coordinate with Colorado State University and other OLLI programs for collaborative travel program opportunities

Financial & Administrative Operations

• Budget Management: Manage budget and expenses for the travel program, volunteer program, site management, and facilitator payments

Supervision & Collaboration

• Team Supervision: Supervise the Digital Communications and Technology Coordinator and Member Services Specialist, providing guidance, support, and coordination of member-facing services
• Technology Evaluation: Evaluate and recommend technology platforms in collaboration with the Digital Communications and Technology Coordinator, ensuring systems support seamless program delivery
• Organizational Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with the Director of Programming and other staff to ensure integrated operations and a positive member experience

Leadership & Collaboration

• Strategic Planning: Contribute to strategic planning and shape OLLI’s vision for operations, member services, and volunteer engagement
• Growth Opportunities: Identify strategic expansion opportunities, secure Executive Director approval, partner with the Director of Programming to recruit presenters, and arrange logistics
• Team Culture: Foster a collaborative team culture and model commitment to OLLI’s mission and member-centered values
• Policy Implementation: Implement operational policies and procedures to ensure consistency, quality, and organizational alignment

Site Operations & Member Support

• On-Site Coordination: Serve as on-site coordinator approximately two days per week during terms, overseeing facility access, AV and room setup, troubleshooting facilitator issues, and member greeting to ensure smooth operations

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong operational and project management skills with ability to oversee multiple sites, programs, and stakeholders simultaneously
• Experience managing contracts and budgets and making strategic facility decisions
• Demonstrated success recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers; ability to build engaged volunteer communities
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail in logistics, scheduling, and coordination
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with stakeholders including site partners, volunteers, vendors, and members
• Experience managing travel programs or coordinating complex multi-day events
• Problem-solving skills with flexibility to address operational challenges and changing circumstances
• Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, database systems, and facility management tools
• Proven ability to effectively use AI-powered tools to streamline workflows, generate insights, and support program delivery
• Commitment to operational excellence and creating positive experiences for members, facilitators, and volunteers

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training and experience
• 2-4 years of experience in project management, event coordination, or related field
• Demonstrated experience managing volunteers, including recruitment, training, and retention
• Experience with budget management and contract negotiation
• Ability to travel to multiple sites across metro Denver

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in nonprofit, education, or membership-based organizations
• Experience managing multi-site operations
• Experience coordinating group travel experiences
• Familiarity with adult education or senior programs

Working Environment

• Office environment with regular travel to OLLI program sites across metro Denver

• Occasional evening and weekend work for events, volunteer training, and travel program activities

• Multiple concurrent operational priorities and stakeholder needs

Physical Activities

• Ability to sit in front of a computer for extended periods

• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds occasionally

• May be required to move office furniture such as tables and chairs for meetings or events

• Ability to travel to multiple sites across metro Denver with the capability of transporting materials and supplies

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm. This is a full-time benefited position with flexible scheduling to accommodate site visits, volunteer coordination, and operational needs. Some evening and weekend work required for events and travel programs. Hybrid work arrangements may be available in consultation with the Executive Director and in accordance with the University’s remote work policies.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) April 14, 2026.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.