Department Administrator College of Arts and Sciences (CoAS), Department of English & Philosophy, is seeking an organized, analytical, courteous, and proactive Department Administrator who is skilled in managing multiple tasks independently while delivering superior customer service to join our team of faculty and staff. Under the direction of the Department Head, the successful candidate will be responsible for planning and administering the academic, operational, and financial activities within the Department and will be committed to providing attentive support to all faculty, staff, and students, ensuring consistent, efficient operations. The Department Administrator will manage all day-to-day purchasing, hiring, and business processes of the ongoing teaching, research, and scholarship activities within the Department while maintaining compliance with relevant College, university, and government policies. This key role will liaise directly with the Dean's Office and will help analyze office processes and policies, develop creative solutions to problems, answer operational questions, and take part in decision-making that supports increased efficiencies for the Department and College.
Essential Functions:
Financial Tasks: Ensure that all relevant departmental cost-centers (i.e., unrestricted, restricted, designated, gift), personnel and operating expenses are appropriate, in compliance, and within budget. Support departmental leadership on departmental spending, financial objectives, and compliance. Oversee all purchasing for the department as well as monthly reconciliation of purchasing card statements. Independently manage and document all financial transactions. Complete labor redistributions, journal entries, and other expenses-related tasks as needed. Provide guidance and support to departmental employees on best practices for purchasing, reimbursement and awards/prize distribution, when relevant. Prepare annual budget reports, business activity reports, and expense tracking reports. Serve as primary budget/administrative contact for the Office of the Dean (CoAS). Under the supervision of the Department Head, liaise with various offices (e.g., Procurement, Office of General Counsel, Human Resources, Comptroller's Office, Tax Office, Payroll Office, Work Study Office, Drexel Central, Scheduling Team, Graduate Support Team, ISSS, Facilities, Institutional Advancement, University programs and schools, College Grant Administrators, etc.)Personnel Tasks: Process all departmental hiring paperwork for adjuncts, faculty, staff, students, temporary employees, visitors/guests (including tuition remission and summer salary, if relevant). Support the recruitment and onboarding processes for all employees associated with the department. Ensure compliance with all Human Resources hiring policies. Certify personnel labor is charged to the appropriate funding source. Approve time sheets for employees, if/as needed (e.g. monthly employees and biweekly employees, etc.). Establish an active network of professional contacts to support the execution of departmental business operations. Help create and maintain a database of all departmental contracts and track faculty teaching loads in collaboration with CoAS. Supervise support staff within the department; conduct staff meetings, if relevant
Administrative Tasks: Execute all day-to-day business processes, developing and implementing procedures in compliance with university policy, federal regulations, and contractual requirements. Manage and/or provide oversight of departmental space, where pertinent, which includes but is not limited to stocking departmental space with business and academic supplies, submitting work orders, overseeing phone lines and office equipment, and attending to space requests. Oversee and support routine departmental events which includes but is not limited to advertising, reserving space, arranging meetings, booking travel, and ordering food. Maintain departmental physical and digital records in compliance with the University's record retention policy. Support faculty life-cycle processes, including the Promotion & Tenure Process of tenure track and teaching faculty. Assist with reports, if necessary. Provide direction and advice to all employees, students, and vendors with business and academic operational questions Resolve problems with the highest level of customer service. Oversee select department-specific academic processes such as curriculum updates in Courseleaf and language placement exams. Liaise and coordinate with the College scheduling team so that the team can ensure proper instructional assignments, course offerings, classroom spaces, etc.
Required Qualifications:
Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)Minimum of 5 years of experience directly related to higher education, budget management, and/or customer service.
Strong interpersonal skills and collegiality.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Excellent computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (high proficiency with Excel).Exceptional analytical skills and ability to oversee highly confidential information.
Strong communication skills both written and verbal.
Strong customer services skills.
Excellent attention to detail and multi-tasking skills.
Demonstrated commitment to follow-through of assigned tasks and projects.
Ability to utilize critical thinking skills and judgment in problem-solving and decision-making, or escalating issues as needed.
Location
University City - Philadelphia, PAAdditional Information:
This position is classified as Exempt, grade K. Compensation for this grade ranges from $60,240 - $90,350 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position will vary based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review. Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel's compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure. Special Instructions to the Applicant: Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application. A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.
