Department Administrator

University of Wisconsin Madison • Madison, WI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department Administrator serves as the department's chief administrative officer for the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This position oversees nearly every aspect of the department's administrative enterprise, including finance, communications, human resources, research administration and facilities. Operating with substantial independence under the general direction of the Chair, the Department Administrator is responsible for ensuring the effective, efficient, and compliant operation of a large, multifaceted department while coordinating a broad portfolio of complex administrative functions in support of the department's teaching, research, and outreach missions. The Department Administrator directly and indirectly supervises the fifteen administrative staff members in the department. This is an exceptional opportunity for a motivated and accomplished administrator to contribute to the success of one of the nation's premier mechanical engineering departments. The successful candidate will bring exceptional organizational, project management, communication, and supervisory skills, along with the ability to navigate a complex and dynamic academic environment. This individual will play a vital role in supporting the department's strategic priorities while fostering a culture of service, professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Extensive business administration experience
• Significant staff supervisory experience
• Experience in managing budgets and creating financial reports
• Ability to manage a collaborative and effective team
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to oversee multiple tasks
• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Business Administration, Accounting, or related field
• Eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment.

Nice To Haves

• Significant financial experience including but not limited to: forecasting, strategic planning, creating and managing budgets, developing reporting frameworks and tracking expenditures
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Experience with process improvement and project management
• Experience in Higher Education Financial Management
• Experience with Workday and SharePoint
• Experience in Higher Education Human Resources Management
• Master's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or related field preferred

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership in developing and administering budgets.
• Oversees financial operations including grants, contract, and other funds to ensure adherence to prudent and generally accepted accounting practices, and compliance with Federal, State, university, and sponsor rules, regulations, laws and bylaws
• Provides leadership for faculty recruitment, evaluation, development, and promotion processes
• Provides oversight and management of office and research space on and off campus, department information systems, and regional network development
• Responsible for communication and marketing of department activities, accomplishments, and department philanthropic activities including meeting with and engaging potential donors
• 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
• Provides leadership for the strategic and short-term planning processes, as well as obtaining and validating data needed for strategic decision-making
• Provides leadership, guidance, and management of the department's research, teaching and service programs, and staff to ensure efficient and effective operations
• Provides leadership and administrative oversight of basic and translational research programs including staffing, compliance, fiscal, information technology (IT), and facility needs
• Provides leadership and oversight of training programs

Benefits

• The minimum salary for this position is $110,000, with flexibility to offer a higher salary commensurate with the successful candidate's experience and qualifications.

What This Job Offers

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