Assistant to the Director

University of Washington•Olympia, WA

1d•Remote

About The Position

The Department of Microbiology has an outstanding opportunity for a Part Time (30 hours a week) Assistant to the Director to join their team. The Assistant to the Director serves as the principal administrative partner to the Director, providing professional-level coordination and management of financial, HR, and operational functions within the Department of Microbiology. Under the Director’s guidance and with delegated authority, this position integrates complex financial analysis with HR and administrative processes to support efficient and compliant departmental operations. This role exercises independent judgment in managing workflows, identifying issues, and implementing solutions, and represents the Director in coordinating administrative functions across multiple systems and stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, administration, finance or related field and 1-2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience in financial data analysis, reconciliation, and reporting
High level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., data analysis, formulas, reporting)
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to manage multiple priorities, track progress independently, and meet deadlines
Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills with a high level of professionalism and tact
Ability to work independently in a remote environment while maintaining strong coordination with leadership and team members

Nice To Haves

Experience using Workday (Finance and/or HR modules)
Experience with HR and/or payroll processes
Experience working in higher education or a complex administrative environment

Responsibilities

Perform complex monthly financial analysis, including budget reconciliation, variance review, and trend identification using Workday Finance and Excel
Maintain and track detailed financial records across multiple funding sources
Support development and monitoring of departmental budgets and projections
Identify discrepancies and recommend corrective actions to ensure financial accuracy and compliance
Develop and maintain reports and tools to improve financial tracking and transparency
Coordinate HR-related processes including appointments, payroll-related actions, and personnel transactions
Navigate and manage workflows across UW HR, Integrated Resource (IR), and other internal systems
Serve as liaison with HR partners to resolve issues and ensure compliance with UW policies and procedures
Track HR actions and deadlines to ensure timely and accurate completion
Support implementation and coordination of HR processes under the Director’s guidance
Oversee and coordinate access to Microbiology electronic systems for internal and external personnel under delegated authority
Maintain and monitor system access records to ensure compliance and security
Coordinate administrative processes across finance, HR, and departmental systems
Represent the Director in facilitating communication and coordination across stakeholders
Provide support for special projects and departmental priorities as assigned
Identify opportunities to improve administrative processes and workflows
Perform other duties as needed in support of departmental operations