Administrative Support Manager, Learning and Performance Systems Department

The Pennsylvania State University • University Park, FL

64d • Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• 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

Responsibilities

• 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
• Coordinate departmental events, faculty recruitment visits, and travel logistics.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Robust retirement plans
• Substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time
• 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager