Department/Center Administrator - School of Public Health

UTHealth Houston•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Department/Center Administrator oversees the daily business operations, financial management, human resources administration, and research administration or academic programming of a department or large center at UTHealth Houston’s School of Public Health. The role ensures compliance with university, departmental, program, and grant fiscal, budgetary, personnel, and operational requirements. It requires complex business-process decisions, comprehensive knowledge of applicable regulations and policies, discretion, and independent judgment. The administrator manages unit operations and administrative staff; budgets, financial records, and reporting; personnel transactions and human resources activities; and research or academic-program processes. The role also coordinates with internal and external stakeholders, handles confidential and sensitive matters, and supports efficient information flow. Employees must permanently reside and work in Texas. This is a security-sensitive position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; equivalent years of experience beyond the minimum experience requirement may substitute for the required education.
At least 5 years of related work experience.
Prior experience in finance, accounting, business administration, or business management.
Must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.
Must meet the security-sensitive position requirements described in the posting.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Science, Business, Public Health Care Administration, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day business, financial, human resources, and research processes or academic programming; track past performance and forecast future financials.
Manage and coordinate the unit’s daily activities through administrative staff.
Make complex business, financial, human resources, and research decisions; assist with preparing and implementing strategic plans; review processes and implement changes as needed.
May review, prepare, and submit monthly contract invoices and may manage professional-services contracts, agreements, invoicing, and collections.
Manage the agenda and budget for the unit’s research or academic programming.
Manage faculty and staff recruitment processes.
Handle confidential information and sensitive issues.
Manage faculty and staff files and timekeeping activities.
Oversee personnel transactions and ensure accurate, timely processing in human resources and financial management systems; approve personnel action forms as authorized.
Prepare, evaluate, and implement annual budgets; prepare cost studies and management reports; monitor encumbrances, expenditures, and fund sources; approve purchase requisitions within signature authority; and reconcile financial records and reports.
Monitor travel, purchasing, payroll, timekeeping, contracts, and grants.
Acquire documents needed to monitor adherence to grant or program requirements.
Maintain equipment and space inventories in coordination with the Dean’s Office.
May manage unit communications, including printed materials, website content, and department newsletters.
Serve as a high-level administrative liaison on business, financial, human resources, research, purchasing, personnel, facilities, and operational matters; respond to policy and procedure questions; disseminate relevant information; advise on processes and policies; and draft business policies and processes as assigned by the supervisor.
Manage departmental human resources activities, including recruiting and selection, hiring and termination, training, professional development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

100% paid medical premiums for full-time employees.
Generous time off, including holidays, a preventative leave day, vacation, and sick time (approximately 37–38 days per year).
Vacation accrual increases with length of service.
Longevity pay in monthly payments after two years of service.
Retirement/pension plan.
Free financial and legal counseling.
Free mental health counseling services.
Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs.
Employee discounts, including entertainment, car rentals, and cell phones.
Resources for child and elder care.