Department Administrator

Rice University•Houston, TX

4d•$88,000 - $92,500•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department Administrator serves as the chief administrative and financial leader for the Department of Political Science. This position reports to the Department Chair and serves as the primary business manager of the department's fiscal, academic, and administrative functions. The Department Administrator provides financial and operational oversight while serving as a trusted partner to the Dean's office and the Department Chair, as well as to the departmental faculty, staff, and students. This role manages the departmental staff and budgets, directs administrative functions, and ensures effective operations in support of teaching, research, and the goals of the department. The role requires strong leadership, presence, and collaboration to foster a supportive and high-performing departmental community. The Department Administrator of Political Science would ideally have experience working in higher education and possess advanced financial management and department administration experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
3+ years of related administrative experience
Budget management skills
Expert knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, email, and database software programs to either complete work assignments or direct the completion of work assignments
Excellent data reporting skills
Advanced verbal and written communication skills
Advanced problem-solving and critical thinking skills
Ability to work independently or supervise others, ensuring the timely completion of work
Resource management skills
Project management skills

Nice To Haves

Rice University work experience or experience in any higher education environment strongly desired
Experience working with Rice IO or Oracle Cloud ERP and HCM systems

Responsibilities

Responsible for the management of all departmental staff involved in administrative operations and support to faculty, students, and programs
Manages the development, implementation, administration, and evaluation of departmental operations, including but not limited to: research administration, budget/finance, program administration, human resources, communications/outreach, and compliance
Monitors trends and establishes goals for the department
Provides guidance on the interpretation, implementation, and compliance with policies and regulations
Recommends actions to ensure compliance
Represents the department or function at the school level
Serves a primary role in the development and implementation of the annual budget
Participates in short-term budget planning and supports long-term budget planning
Manages budget monitoring, expenditure review and approval, processing payments, conducting analyses, creating forecasts, and identifying trends
Oversees the maintenance of financial records
Creates, manages, and implements outreach plans that may include relationship development, communications, and event management
Manages the human resources function for the department for staff; administers the visa process for international faculty, staff, and students; coordinates faculty searches and the promotion and tenure process
Manages graduate and/or undergraduate program administration, including graduate student recruitment and admissions, student records, curriculum support, coordinates the accreditation process, manages scholarships and fellowships, advises students, and monitors their progress
Supervises support to faculty and provides guidance on university policies and procedures
May manage pre- and post-award research administration
Performs all other duties as assigned