Administrative Director

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Administrative Director will provide administrative leadership and professional oversight to the Wisconsin Energy Institute (WEI) and is listed as key personnel in the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) grant, funded by the Department of Energy (DOE). This individual will manage human resources, facilities, financial management, and pre- and post-award functions for the WEI, the GLBRC, and all other WEI grants, as well as their subcontractors. The position involves supervising and providing leadership to the Building Manager, Human Resources Manager, Departmental Property Administrator, and the pre- and post-award Financial Team. This role reports directly to the WEI Director and collaborates with WEI faculty and staff, and GLBRC Leadership. The Administrative Director will be the primary administrative point of contact with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR), develop and administer the center's annual budget, ensure compliance with research funds, and serve as a primary contact for new faculty and staff joining WEI. The WEI is dedicated to solving global energy challenges by developing sustainable alternatives for power, fuels, and chemicals, aiming to transition to a sustainable, resilient, affordable, and just energy future through collaborative projects, leadership preparation, and public understanding. The GLBRC, a major research program within WEI, focuses on creating economically viable and environmentally sustainable biofuels and bioproducts to reduce fossil fuel dependence. This is a full-time, 100% position that primarily works onsite with the option to work remotely up to two days per week, requiring an approved remote work agreement, personal high-speed internet, and a phone to perform work on a university-provided computer.

Requirements

Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional services with a record of accomplishments in administrative management, to include areas such as research or sponsored programs in an academic environment
Grants management, budget experience and a strong working knowledge of University of Wisconsin and UW-Madison administrative policies and procedures
Demonstrated experience overseeing University administrative and operational processes and resources
Experience supervising a team, that includes growing, coaching, mentoring, and team building
Excellent communication and the ability to handle sensitive personnel situations
Demonstrated analytical and decision-making skills
Demonstrated ability to plan, establish priorities and organize varied and complex tasks

Nice To Haves

Strategic planning experience
Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team setting to establish and maintain effective working relationships
Demonstrated ability to prioritize workload, manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively, and follow-through on tasks and work unsupervised
Professional or personal experience relevant to the academic and research mission of the Wisconsin Energy Institute

Responsibilities

Directs, implements, and monitors strategic planning initiatives to ensure appropriate use of financial, administrative, and staffing resources
Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
Develops and audits administrative operating reports, budgets, policies, and procedures to comply with regulations, institution policies, and business objectives
Serves as the unit liaison to internal and external stakeholder groups providing organizational information and representing the interests of the unit
Supervises managerial, professional, and support staff of the unit or division and facilitates unit staff developmental opportunities
Recommends, reviews, and directs personnel resource allocation to ensure appropriate utilization of resources