Director of Administration & Operations, Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems in Cockrell School of Engineering

The University of Texas at Austin • Austin, UT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Administration & Operations serves as a strategic partner to the Department Chair in the Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering (PGE). This position leads the administrative, financial, academic, and operational functions of the department. The Director translates priorities into action, advances organizational effectiveness, and supports the department's mission. The PGE department is highly ranked and conducts pioneering research in vital areas of energy, including oil and gas production, geothermal energy, carbon capture utilization and storage, hydrogen storage and production, artificial intelligence, and methane emissions. The department has faculty members who are part of the National Academy of Engineering, and its students and graduates are recognized for transforming industries and addressing critical energy challenges.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and progressively responsible experience leading complex administrative operations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and communicate thoughtfully about business, financial, and administrative operations.
• Demonstrated success leading, developing, and motivating teams.
• Ability to collaborate and influence effectively with individuals at all levels of a complex organization.
• Strong organizational, project management, and execution skills.
• Proven ability to identify opportunities for collaboration and build productive partnerships.
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder-management skills.
• Professional demeanor, sound judgment, and discretion.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively while managing the details of multiple concurrent priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through change, set priorities, and deliver results.
• Willingness to learn and responsibly apply AI and other productivity tools.
• Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

• 10 or more years of progressively responsible management and leadership experience.
• Relevant professional experience leading academic and administrative units serving a broad population of faculty, students, and staff.
• Proven track record serving as a strategic advisor, leading organizational development or restructuring, and translating strategic plans into measurable results.
• Experience using Workday and DEFINE systems.
• Experience working in a STEM environment, ideally with a substantial research operation.
• Experience working with faculty, staff, and students in a complex academic environment.
• Experience demonstrating a high degree of initiative, sound judgment, and effective decision-making in complex situations.
• Experience using large language models (LLMs) and other AI tools to enhance productivity and decision support.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Undergraduate and Graduate program offices, Facilities and IT team, Business Affairs team, administrative staff, and External Relations team.
• Partner with the Chair to translate priorities into programs, initiatives, and special projects.
• Strengthen operations through process improvement, staff development, and effective use of technology.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture aligned with the department’s vision and mission.
• Provide strategic oversight of the department’s human resources functions.
• Review and approve appointments for policy compliance and serve as departmental cost center manager, HR partner, and timekeeper.
• Manage Professional-Track Faculty appointments, faculty offer letters, and summer assignments.
• Lead graduate student, visiting scholar, and researcher hiring and onboarding.
• Regularly review HR and payroll costing data to ensure appropriate use of funds and timely adjustments consistent with funding requirements.
• Support effective workforce planning and employee development.
• Provide strategic financial leadership and supervise the financial analyst in preparing the department’s annual strategic, supplemental teaching, and operational budgets.
• Advise the Chair on resource allocation and financial planning.
• Review and approve business contracts.
• Oversee departmental reporting, annual operating budgets, endowment stewardship, and compliance with funding requirements.
• Serve as Electronic Office Manager (EOM) and coordinate access to departmental financial systems.
• Partner with the Chair and faculty committees on recruitment, hiring, awards, promotions, and reviews.
• Lead new faculty onboarding and oversee start-up commitments.
• Serve as a trusted liaison and strategic partner to the Cockrell School of Engineering (CSE) Dean’s Office, central offices, research centers, and other departments and colleges.
• Build alignment, communicate new policies and procedures clearly, and advance cross-unit priorities.
• Perform other related functions as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 8.25% employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

What This Job Offers

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