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

University of Texas at Austin

3d • $95,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Administration & Operations serves as a strategic partner to the Department Chair in PGE. This position leads the administrative, financial, academic, and operational functions. The Director translates priorities into action and advances organizational effectiveness and the department’s mission. The Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is a top-10 engineering school with the No. 1 program in Texas, a global leader in technology innovation and engineering education for over a century. With 11 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs, over 20 research centers and a faculty community that boasts one of the highest number of National Academy of Engineering members among U.S. universities, Texas Engineering has launched some of the nation’s most accomplished leaders and pioneered world-changing solutions in virtually every industry, from space exploration to energy to health care. Situated in the heart of Austin — named “America’s Coolest City” by Expedia and “The Best Place to Live in the U.S.” by U.S. News and World Report — the Cockrell School embodies the city’s innovative spirit. Major companies with Austin campuses, such as Dell, National Instruments, Apple, IBM, Samsung, Google and many others, continue to recruit Cockrell School students at a remarkable rate, launching thousands of successful careers and developing Texas Engineers into industry leaders. UT Austin, recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Large Employers, provides outstanding employee benefits and total rewards packages. The Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering’s (PGE) undergraduate and graduate programs are ranked #2 and #1, respectively, in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. The department leads pioneering research and education in vital areas such as oil and gas production, geothermal energy, carbon capture utilization and storage, hydrogen storage and production, artificial intelligence, and methane emissions. Our faculty includes 5 members of the National Academy of Engineering. Our students and graduates go on to transform industries, address critical energy challenges, benefit society, and improve quality of life.

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 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