Director, Administrative Services

Classification

Title:

DIR, Administrative Services

Classification

Minimum Requirements:

Master's degree in an appropriate area and six years of relevant experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area and eight years of relevant experience.

Job Description:

Financial Management

Serves as the department's senior financial administrator and is responsible for the financial stewardship and long-term fiscal viability of the department.

Develops and manages departmental budgets, financial plans, forecasts, and resource allocation strategies.

Provides financial analysis and recommendations to support strategic decision-making by the Chair and departmental leadership.

Monitors financial performance and implements corrective actions as necessary to ensure alignment with departmental goals and budget expectations.

Ensures compliance with University, College, State, Federal, and sponsor financial requirements.

Oversees purchasing, travel, payroll distributions, effort management, financial reporting, and internal controls. Identifies opportunities to maximize resources and support departmental growth and sustainability.

Provides leadership and oversight of departmental fiscal operations and staff.

Research Administration

Serves as the department's senior subject matter expert on sponsored research administration and advises faculty and departmental leadership on proposal development, sponsor requirements, compliance, effort management, and research operations.

Provides leadership and oversight for all pre-award and post-award research administration activities, ensuring compliance with University, sponsor, state, and federal regulations.

Oversees proposal development, budget preparation, award management, effort reporting, cost sharing, and research financial administration.

Develops and implements processes, controls, and operational improvements to promote efficiency, compliance, and service excellence in research administration.

Partners with faculty investigators to support funding strategies, proposal competitiveness, and successful management of sponsored programs.

Serves as the primary departmental liaison with Sponsored Programs, Contracts and Grants, IRB, IACUC, research compliance offices, and external funding agencies.

Monitors changes in sponsor and regulatory requirements and provides guidance to faculty and staff regarding research administration best practices and compliance obligations.

Leads and develops research administration staff through coaching, training, succession planning, and performance management to ensure operational continuity and organizational effectiveness.

Identifies research administration risks and opportunities and recommends solutions to support the department's research mission and strategic priorities.

Represents the department on College and University committees, work groups, and initiatives related to research administration and sponsored programs.

Administrative and Operational Leadership

Serves as a strategic advisor to the Chair on organizational structure, workforce planning, succession planning, operational effectiveness, and resource management.

Provides leadership and oversight for departmental administrative operations, policies, and procedures.

Leads recruitment, retention, employee engagement, and staff development initiatives.

Provides guidance regarding faculty and staff compensation, position management, organizational design, and workforce planning.

Oversees personnel actions for faculty, staff, trainees, students, and visiting scholars, ensuring compliance with applicable policies and regulations.

Supports faculty affairs activities, including recruitment, promotion and tenure, faculty evaluations, and professional development initiatives.

Develops and implements operational improvements that enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and customer service.

Serves as the primary administrative liaison with College and University leadership and represents the

Chair on administrative and operational matters.

Leadership and Talent Development

Provides leadership and direction for the department's administrative workforce through coaching, mentoring, professional development,…