Department Administrator, Associate Chair

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences•Little Rock, AR

4d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a detail-oriented individual to take on the role as the Department Administrator and Associate Chair for the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. This key leadership role involves overseeing human resources, finances, budgeting, strategic planning, and overall departmental operations, while representing the Department and College within UAMS and to external partners. The position plays a crucial part in advancing UAMS's mission by providing strategic and operational oversight of research, education, and service activities. Responsibilities include exercising administrative authority over departmental functions, collaborating with the Chair and Associate Dean to align with institutional objectives, addressing complex operational issues, serving as the main contact for faculty, students, and staff within the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology department and Graduate School programs, and ensuring effective management of financial resources. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated leadership, strategic planning, and operational management experience in academic or research environments, along with strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact in fulfilling the department’s dedication to education, research, and service. Apply now to join UAMS and help shape the future of the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology department!

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field plus eight (8) years of business management experience with exposure to a combination of budget, finance, and human resources OR Master's degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field plus six (6) years of business management experience with exposure to a combination of budget, finance, and human resources.
Proven experience in leadership, strategic planning, and operational management within academic, research, or healthcare environments.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to address complex, multifaceted challenges.
Ability to collaborate with clinical partners to ensure seamless operations between academic and clinical enterprise.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage with stakeholders, including faculty, students, and staff.
A track record of successfully managing human resources, finances, and strategic initiatives in a dynamic organizational setting.
Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience using Workday (financial reporting, procurement, travel), JFR, TRACKS, and FacFacts is preferred.
UAMS Grants Management Certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serves as the chief planning officer for the department and liaison to the College’s strategy team. This work involves continually monitoring the environment/market, assisting the department leadership and faculty in setting mission, vision, and goals, facilitating implementation of strategic and tactical plans, and monitoring progress.
Provides ongoing decision support and analytics for the department.
Collaborates with the College and other UAMS divisions on business development activities, such as contracts, grants, and fundraising.
Serves as the chief financial officer for the department and is accountable to the College and UAMS to ensure the delivery of optimal financial, budgetary, and operational support to the department and its leadership.
Development and implementation of the annual budget includes expense budgeting and revenue projection related to appropriated, discretionary, endowment, and gift revenues, as well as grants and contracts.
Ensures all reporting and tracking requirements are followed to comply with the rules of the contracting or granting entity, and is responsible for compliance with all applicable UAMS rules and procedures.
Manages the development, analysis, and implementation of the department’s faculty compensation plan, including tracking of faculty productivity, salary distributions, and faculty assignments to accurately report and project faculty effort allocation and productivity.
Responsible for payroll, purchasing, travel, and financial transactions.
May create and monitor recharge centers/core facilities.
Oversees prompt payment of invoices and related research of any errors.
Provides expertise and assistance to faculty regarding grant/contract preparation, budgeting and reporting, in collaboration with College or UAMS centralized services.
Responsible for departmental staff recruitment, hiring, supervision, training and performance management, as well as creating an operating environment where efficiency, effectiveness and service are priorities.
Provides leadership and guidance to management and administrative staff, coordinates activities of the staff and distribution of the workload to ensure appropriate mission support for the department.
Focuses on developing a talented workforce by guiding the staff to engage in appropriate educational and training opportunities.
Conducts annual evaluations and goal setting with the staff, to reinforce the department mission and relevance of each position to accomplishing departmental goals.
Works with the UAMS Office of Human Resources to ensure departmental compliance with all UAMS rules and procedures.
Facilitates faculty recruitment, hiring, promotion/tenure processes and performance management/evaluations under the leadership of the department chair.
Works with the UAMS Office of Faculty Affairs and College to ensure compliance with UAMS rules and procedures.
Responsible for working with and maintaining business relationships for the department with leaders both on campus (the Dean, Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, etc.) and off campus (hospital CEO’s, state agency leaders, political groups, etc).
May have College of Medicine (COM) and campus-level committee assignments.
May have a role in supporting clinically-related activities in collaboration with the integrated clinical enterprise and/or service line administrator.
Assists faculty in providing administrative oversight for educational programs to ensure students, residents and fellows receive appropriate support within the department and that programs are executed in a manner consistent with the policies of COM, UAMS and national accrediting bodies.
Supports faculty in development of research programs, working to identify space, funding, equipment, and infrastructure that will best advance the department and individual faculty members’ research goals.
Manages daily operational issues in collaboration with UAMS offices involving the integrated clinical enterprise, space management and construction, information technology, communications, lab set-up and lab safety.
Provides input and advice on UAMS and COM policy development.
May perform other duties as assigned.