Department Administrator Political Science, College of Arts & Sciences

Department Administrator Political Science, College of Arts & Sciences Category Job Location Tracking Code

8/21/2026

Grade 47

$60,000.00

$65,000.00

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training and internal pay comparison. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Full-Time/Regular

The Department of Political Science at Boston University is seeking an experienced and highly organized Department Administrator to oversee the department's administrative, financial, human resources, academic, and operational functions.

The Department Administrator works closely with the Department Chair, faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students, and College and University offices to ensure the effective operation of the department. This position has significant responsibility for budget and grant administration, staff supervision, payroll, academic scheduling, faculty personnel actions, faculty searches, graduate student administration, facilities, events, and departmental planning.

The ideal candidate will be a strong administrator who can work independently, exercise sound judgment, manage competing priorities, maintain confidentiality, and build effective working relationships across the University.

• Supervise departmental administrative staff and student employees, including interviewing, hiring, training, assigning work, and evaluating performance.
• Provide recommendations regarding merit-based salary increases and other personnel matters.
• Assess departmental staffing needs and make recommendations to the Department Chair regarding staffing levels, workload distribution, and organizational structure. Coordinate departmental workload and allocate staff resources based on changing priorities and needs.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of administrative procedures and recommend improvements.
• Maintain departmental vacation and sick leave records. Partner with the CAS Dean's Office and University Human Resources on personnel matters.
• Conduct staff training and workshops related to technology, administrative procedures, and management practices.

• Manage the department's operating budget and faculty research grants, including monitoring expenditures, maintaining appropriate financial controls, and ensuring expenses are charged to the correct accounts. Serve as an authorized approver for departmental and research-related expenditures. Reconcile financial activity and oversee month-end and year-end budget close processes.
• Assist the Department Chair with annual budget development, financial planning, and forecasting.
• Serve as a resource to faculty and Principal Investigators regarding grant budgets and expenditures.
• Partner with CAS Finance and other University offices to implement financial decisions and resolve budgetary issues.
• Process staff and student payroll and ensure timely and accurate payment.
• Oversee the hiring and payment of casual and temporary employees.

• Coordinate and manage all aspects of course scheduling, including class scheduling, classroom assignments, catalog information, and student evaluations.
• Coordinate course scheduling and appointment paperwork for MET College courses offered during the fall and spring semesters. Manage the Summer Term schedule, including budget, course and room scheduling, and student evaluations.
• Coordinate joint course scheduling with other academic departments, including International Relations, History, Sociology, and Economics.
• Manage final examination scheduling and related Registrar functions.
• Work with the Registrar and other University offices to resolve complex undergraduate and graduate student issues.
• Assist the Graduate Coordinator with graduate student applications, admissions, financial aid, and teaching fellowships.
• Support enrollment planning and analysis and provide information to assist with faculty and course planning.

• Coordinate the development and administration of tenure and promotion cases in consultation with the Department Chair.
• Manage sabbatical and leave of absence cases and faculty appointment paperwork in coordination with the Department Chair and appropriate University offices.
• Coordinate faculty searches, including advertising positions, initiating correspondence, maintaining confidential candidate files, scheduling interviews, and coordinating candidate visits and appointments.
• Support the Department Chair and faculty with special projects involving…