PAY GRADE:  32E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at the University of Delaware is nationally recognized for its exceptional educational experiences and for integrating instruction, research, and public engagement. With 24 academic departments in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, more than 25 centers, programs, and institutes, and featuring outstanding research and teaching facilities, CAS serves over 7,500 students, is supported by approximately 400 staff, and maintains annual operating expenditures of over $121M. The College’s 600 faculty members emphasize the enduring value of an arts and sciences education and a deep commitment to excellence in scholarship and all forms of creative and intellectual expression, with sponsored research expenditures totaling more than $38.6M per fiscal year.

Under general direction of the Director, CAS Academic Operations Support, the Senior Business Administrator (SBA), partners with leadership to oversee a variety of business administration tasks for the 24 academic departments and more than 25 centers, programs, and institutes across CAS.  The SBA is responsible for overseeing the implementation of processes to create and maintain consistency in all areas of College-related business to maximize service levels to faculty, students, and staff, ensure operational efficiencies, and to support the mission and goals of the College and University.  The SBA will work closely with departmental leadership to ensure smooth transitions of vacancies by both managing and covering business gaps and also creating training documentation for incoming Business Administrators and Academic Program Coordinators.  In addition, the SBA will audit departmental financials (in partnership with the College’s financial team) and operational standards. The SBA is charged with direct management of the College’s Business Administrator I’s (30E), the Program Manager for Centers and Programs (30E), and other programmatic support. Responsibilities require the ability to assist in analysis and interpretation of complex data related to college-wide policies in areas such as financial operations, human resources, grants and contract administration, and undergraduate/graduate academics.   This position has high expectations for positive and collaborative teamwork, flexibility, and critical-thinking skills.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for the direct supervision, coordination, and support of the College’s Business Administrator I’s (30E), the Program Manager for Centers and Programs (30E), and other programmatic support.  Works closely with Department Chairs and Center Directors to ensure appropriate service levels and support for departmental faculty, students, and staff, and resolves complex and highly sensitive personnel and operations issues as they arise.
• In coordination with the Director, works with leadership to cover business gaps and will act in the absence of departmental business administrators (BAs).  Responsible for departmental support including the following areas:  financial operations, human resources, faculty life cycle administration, sponsored research, facilities, events, communications, computing operations, and academic operations.  When working in a department, supervises staff and works with them to ensure the efficiency of the academic administration of undergraduate and graduate program operations to include course scheduling, advisor assignment, workload verification, course evaluations coordination, and tuition discount pricing.
• Convenes small focus groups to work through policy, procedure, and system changes at both the College and University level and assists the Director with regular meetings with all BAs across the College.  Works with departmental staff and the Director to create standard operating procedures (SOPs) for instructional purposes.  Revisits and edits SOPs as needed.
• At the direction of the Director, oversees the implementation of processes and procedures to create and maintain consistency in all areas of College-related business to maximize services levels to faculty, students, and staff, ensure operational efficiencies, and support the mission and goals of the College and University.  Assists the Director with leading department BAs in partnering with the functional areas of the College to design, coordinate, and standardize services and support for departments and centers while ensuring alignment with College and University goals.
• Audits departmental financials in UDataGlance and operational standards including, but not limited to, staffing levels, quality control, and enrollment analysis.
• In consultation with CAS HR, assists in periodically reviewing departmental staffing needs, leveling, and compensation.  Designs, implements, and presents metrics to measure operational efficiencies and service level satisfaction.
• Acts as a proxy for the Director for purposes of business continuity.
• Provides constructive feedback to shared service teams and assists in providing consistent and efficient services to the College’s academic departments.  Recommends creative improvements to current processes.
• Leads and assists in developing and implementing staff training programs, designing cross-training programs, providing mentorship to staff, supporting career development, and developing metrics to measure efficiencies and service level satisfaction.
• Assists with leading search committees to fill departmental vacancies.
• Monitors assigned budgets within CAS to include developing an in-depth understanding of assigned unit operations and policy to assist with budget preparations, and short-term and long-term financial planning.
• Maintains confidentiality and professional collaborative relationships with departments and units within CAS and the University.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, management, or related field and six years of managing administrative processes and outcomes, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.  Master’s degree preferred. 
• Experience managing and evaluating staff, including confidential data and information.
• Experience with budget preparation and management, accounting, cost analysis, and cost control procedures.  Ability to analyze budgetary expenditures for compliance with approved budget.
• Experience with gathering and analyzing financial data including preparing financial reports and projections.
• Experience with the development and delivery of training materials for varied audiences preferred.
• Knowledge and experience with UD financial systems, human resources, grant policies, facilities management, and undergraduate/graduate academic policies strongly preferred.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to draft professional reports and correspondence that is clear and concise.  Ability to communicate effectively and interact well with people.
• Proficient computer skills and experience using spreadsheet, charting, and other software tools, such as the Microsoft Suite. Experience developing queries and writing reports to analyze data preferred.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills that facilitate the interpretation of budgetary, financial information.
• Advanced working knowledge of undergraduate/graduate academic policies, procedures, systems, regulations, and standards at the University level is preferred.
• Ability to work independently and to prioritize work under the pressure of competing assignments.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion, especially with regards to sensitive or confidential personnel or organizational matters.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value.
• Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.