Hire Top Senior Operations Manager

Colleen Shanahan

Seasoned research administration leader with 20+ years of sponsored funding experience and progressive responsibility in pre-award management. Currently oversee a senior-level proposal review team supporting multiple Harvard schools, setting standards for a 5-day review timeline, rigorous quality control, and compliant, high-quality submissions. Recognized subject matter expert in federal, non-federal, foundation, industry, and international sponsors, with a proven ability to quickly master new sponsor requirements as the portfolio diversifies. Skilled at designing and refining workflows, team structures, and business processes; analyzing volume and turnaround metrics; and driving process improvements across the pre-award lifecycle. Trusted partner to faculty, school leadership, and central offices (OVPR, OTD, OGC), known for resolving complex policy and risk issues, cultivating strategic relationships, and supporting the development of new sponsored research offices and capabilities. Able to leverage and build upon my strong existing relationships with FAS leaders, faculty, and staff to surface this merging of School and Central.

CHRIS CUMMINGS

Results-driven Operations Services leader with a strong track record in managing complex operations and spearheading process improvements. Expertise in enhancing operational efficiency through the successful execution of high-impact projects and strategic initiatives. Recognized for the ability to streamline workflows while fostering collaboration within store teams and adapting seamlessly to dynamic environments. Committed to driving continuous improvement and delivering exceptional results in fast-paced settings.

Lance Davis

Dynamic General Manager with expertise in operations management and process improvement. Proven track record in logistics management and staff development, driving efficiency and team productivity.

Emily Parker

Collaborative Quality and Food Safety leader with 14+ years of progressive manufacturing experience and a passion for building quality into the way teams work, rather than treating it as a standalone function. Experienced in developing people and quality systems, leading multi-site QA/QC operations, managing regulatory and certification requirements, and driving continuous improvement. Skilled at bringing Quality, Operations, and cross-functional partners together to solve problems, strengthen processes, and create practical solutions that balance compliance, product quality, operational efficiency, and business needs.

AMAR KULKARNI

Result-driven IT manager with 25 years of experience in the service sector, specializing in Managed Services, end-user support, and production IT. Proven ability to implement process improvement, standardize procedures, and manage cross-functional teams to meet business objectives. Adept at leveraging data analytics, automation, and ITIL best practices to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction

Katie Young

Global Accommodations & Accessibility Leader with over 20 years of domain expertise in specialized disability accommodations, legal compliance, and enterprise-scale operations. Demonstrated track record of scaling global accommodation frameworks, managing a $65M annual operating budget, and leading cross-functional organizations of 80+ practitioners and vendors. Proven leader in vendor performance management, emerging technology integration, and cross-functional partnerships across Legal, HR, Facilities, and Senior Leadership to drive accessible workplace innovation.

NITISH KUMAR

Strategic Account Management Leader experienced in managing global enterprise customers and executive stakeholders within SaaS and supply chain technology environments. Delivered multi-million-dollar ARR portfolio ownership through effective governance frameworks, driving adoption, and managing high-impact escalations while fostering collaboration across Product, Engineering, Services, Support, and Sales teams for optimal customer outcomes. Led and mentored global TAM teams, enhancing client relationships and ensuring tailored technical solutions to meet evolving project demands.

Stephanie Johnson

Senior project manager with 15+ years of experience in leading projects and teams. Expertise in cross-functional collaboration and problem-solving, consistently delivering projects on time and within budget. Proven track record of exceeding client expectations through effective project execution.