Office Manager- Ten Academic Alliance

The Big Ten Academic Alliance, the consortium of Big Ten universities headquartered in Champaign, IL and hosted by the University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign campus, is seeking an Office Manager. The Big Ten Academic Alliance advances institutional excellence through higher education collaboration and focuses on travel and on‑site event planning as core functions for its 19 member institutions.

Location: Champaign, Illinois. This is a hybrid role with a combination of remote and on‑site work.

• Provides guidance and consultation to staff regarding travel policies and best practices; develops and maintains resources, checklists and reference materials.
• Monitors and interprets University travel policies and regulatory requirements to ensure compliance.
• Collects, reviews and reconciles post‑travel expense documentation and prepares expense reimbursements through the University travel system.
• Coordinates travel logistics and provides administrative support for speakers, guests and external partners participating in meetings, conferences and special events.
• Processes travel reimbursements for guests and participants supported through grant‑funded and other externally sponsored programs.

• Checks venue availability, reserves appropriate venues, arranges audio/visual/IT equipment, catering services, hotel blocks and transportation.
• Ensures necessary contracts are in place and payments are processed timely in coordination with the Finance Team.

• Provides administrative support for the President’s Administrative Assistant and other designated staff members.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two (2) years (24 months) of work experience comparable to the third level of this series.

• Experience in event contract review.
• Experience in higher education or similar complex organizational settings.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with the University of Illinois travel system software.
• Knowledge of University financial systems.
• Adaptability to respond to change positively.
• Collaboration and teamwork orientation.
• Results‑oriented mindset.
• Initiative and proactive problem solving.
• Innovation and process improvement.
• Open communication and expression of ideas.
• Prioritization skills under pressure.
• Professionalism and reliability.
• Organizational loyalty to Big Ten universities.
• Technical expertise application.

This is a 100% full‑time Civil Service 3266 – Office Manager position, appointed on a 12‑month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. The minimum salary for this position is $46,975.50. Work authorization sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefits: The position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, and Tuition Waivers for employees and dependents.

Equal Opportunity Employment:
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. All employment decisions are made by a person.