Assistant Department Chair

UNC-Chapel Hill • Chapel Hill, NC

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Health Policy and Management (HPM) is one of eight departments in the UNC Chapel Hill School of Public Health. Its mission is to improve population health and well-being through teaching, research, and service. HPM has an annual operating budget exceeding $10 million, more than 50 faculty and staff, five graduate degrees, one undergraduate degree, two certificates, and 432 enrolled students in residential and executive/distance education programs. The department collaborates with multiple schools and research centers across campus.

The Assistant Department Chair reports to the Associate Dean for Finance and Business, with a dotted reporting line to the Chair of Health Policy and Management, and serves as a key member of the HPM leadership team. The position manages the department’s overall budget, plans and reports on financial matters, and participates in strategic planning with the Chair and senior faculty. It ensures compliance with external and University policies related to business practices, research practices, and human resources. It also oversees departmental administrative staff and services, including IT, student services support, and space management, and serves as a liaison with School and University business units.

The position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that includes a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to live within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

Requirements

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of academic fiscal administration.
• Experience in short- and long-term planning.
• In-depth knowledge of Federal, State, and University regulatory requirements governing grants and contracts.
• Demonstrated proficiency in pre- and post-award processes.
• Experience coordinating and managing administration and compliance of grant-funded projects.
• Experience administering service contracts, technical assistance agreements, or continuing education funding mechanisms with state/local governments, nonprofit organizations, or other public health partners.
• Prior supervisory experience.
• Proficiency in setting organizational priorities and goals for the business office.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, excellent oral communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, flexibility, and a problem-solving attitude.

Nice To Haves

• At least three years of experience processing and administering grants and contracts, particularly from the National Institutes of Health.
• Experience interfacing with students around research and training grants.
• Experience with PeopleSoft systems.
• Extensive management background in a large organization and demonstrated leadership capability.
• Superior financial management and analytical skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of academic research administration and effective written and verbal communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to lead a team and produce results.
• Strong customer-service focus and experience with continuous improvement.
• Strong financial skills across fund types, including state, F&A, trust, and grants.
• Adaptive and effective utilization of information systems.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with discretion.
• Experience with effective management and supervision of staff.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA), or Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA) certification.

Responsibilities

• Manage the department’s overall budget and plan and report on financial issues.
• Participate in strategic planning activities with the Chair and senior faculty members.
• Ensure compliance with relevant external and University policies related to business practices, research practices, and human resources.
• Oversee departmental administrative staff and services, including IT, student services support, and space management.
• Serve as a liaison with School and University business units.
• Set organizational priorities and goals for the business office.
• Coordinate and manage the administration and compliance of grant-funded projects.
• Administer grants and contracts, including pre- and post-award processes.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed