Administrative Support Manager, Learning and Performance Systems Department

Administrative Support Manager

The Learning and Performance Systems Department in Penn State's College of Education is seeking a collaborative, detail-oriented Administrative Support Manager to serve as a central member of our team.

This role works in close partnership with the Department Head and faculty to support the day-to-day operations of a dynamic academic unit grounded in teaching, research, and service.

We are a collegial and supportive group that values professionalism, clear communication, and a positive team culture.

The Administrative Support Manager plays a key leadership role in sustaining that environment by overseeing core administrative operations, supporting faculty processes, and ensuring that faculty, staff, students, and visitors experience a well-organized and welcoming department.

• Provide day-to-day leadership, supervision, and professional development for administrative and support staff, including hiring, onboarding, performance management, and workflow coordination

• Oversee departmental operations, including office processes, facilities and space coordination, and continuous improvement of administrative workflows

• Manage departmental budget activities, including expense tracking, approvals, reporting, and allocation of funds for faculty, students, and departmental initiatives

• Coordinate purchasing of supplies, technology, and event materials

• Manage administrative processes related to faculty, postdoctoral, adjunct, and graduate assistant hiring, including search coordination, interview logistics, and offer preparation

• Oversee onboarding, appointment processing, and payroll transactions

• Coordinate faculty affairs processes, including promotion and tenure reviews, sabbatical applications, and faculty award submissions

• Maintain faculty records and manage workload reporting and evaluation processes (e.g., career conferences, five-year reviews), ensuring accuracy and timely submission to the college

• Provide executive-level administrative support to the Department Head, including complex calendar management, meeting coordination, and preparation of agendas and materials

• Serve as a central point of coordination for departmental communications across faculty, staff, and college leadership

The Administrative Support Manager will also coordinate departmental events, faculty recruitment visits, and travel logistics.

• Outstanding organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

• Effective written and verbal communication skills

• Experience with financial tracking, budgeting, or resource management in a digital format (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets)

• High level of discretion and ability to manage confidential information

• Proficiency with standard office and enterprise systems (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook calendaring, or similar shared document platforms)

• Experience in a higher education or academic department setting

• Demonstrated experience managing administrative operations in a complex organization

• Experience supporting or coordinating complex projects, events, or multi-stakeholder processes

• Familiarity with Workday, SIMBA (Penn State's System for Integrated Management, Budgeting and Accounting), or similar HR/finance systems

• Demonstrated ability to foster a collegial team environment

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

Bachelor's Degree; 8+ years of relevant experience, includes 3+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted. Required

Certifications:

None

Applicants must submit a resume and a cover letter that highlights the following:

• Interest in this position

• Relevant experience

• Attention to detail skills

• Organizational approach

This position will report to the Department Head of the Learning and Performance Systems Department, Dr. Heather Toomey Zimmerman.

The College of Education is supportive of flexible work arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of…