Executive Administrator

Department

BSD PHS - Department of Public Health Sciences

About the Department

Public Health Sciences (PHS) is a basic science department in the Biological Sciences Division. The Department is multidisciplinary and includes the core fields for public health research, with particular emphasis on the fields of epidemiology, biostatistics and health services research. Faculty members lead local, national, and international studies and also welcome opportunities to collaborate with faculty across the Biological Sciences Division and the University. Substantively, our research themes include social and environmental determinants of health, genetics and disease, the economics of health care, and the evaluation and implementation of new technologies in public health and clinical care. In terms of methodological expertise, areas in which our faculty has developed innovative approaches include: risk factor measurement; multilevel, clustered and longitudinal data; clinical trials; administrative health data; social networks; and statistical methods to assess the genetic and molecular basis of disease. The Department is also home to the Biostatistics Laboratory, a group of collaborative biostatisticians and data scientists who primarily work with faculty in clinical departments and the Survey Lab, a group who develop and deploy survey data collections for research projects in the Division, the University, and the broader community. The Department also offers three graduate degree programs.

Job Summary

The Executive Administrator (EA) is the top administrative officer for the Department of Public Health Sciences (PHS) within the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). The EA reports directly to the Department Chair. The EA plans, coordinates, executes and directs broad and complex financial and management functions in support of departmental research and teaching, supervises the administrative staff, and works with the BSD shared administrative groups. This role focuses on budget development, adherence to University and Federal Guidelines, financial analysis, and oversees human resource management, information technology management, safety and regulatory compliance, space planning, and all other relevant administrative processes. This position is the key administrative leader for the department in support of the Chair and Faculty and is required to effectively utilize resources to accomplish the department's overall objectives in research and education.

Responsibilities

• Manages all departmental administrative staff for finance, operations, grants/contracts, academic affairs and human resources. This includes the hiring, training, evaluation, disciplinary action, termination, development, retention and salary decisions related to staff. For shared administrative functions that are provided centrally in the Division, the EA will work with the shared staff group to ensure that the Department’s administrative needs are met. Where no specialized staff positions exist nor are there shared staff , the EA will be responsible for these functions.

• Establish synergies, cross-training, development and back up for the staff as needed.

• Develop administrative programs to enhance staff skills and to improve the effectiveness of existing services, with the primary emphasis being on the administration of faculty research.

• Execute department objectives subject to divisional constraints to create the most positive and efficient outcomes.

• Work with departmental Chair to establish goals and objectives for the department as derived internally and in conjunction with the BSD Dean's office and monitor progress toward policy and goal achievement.

• Represent the Chair as appropriate. Act as liaison between the Chair and faculty with sponsored awards, University Research Administration, Development Office and BSD in analyzing research-funding needs with the objective of supporting faculty in pursuit of funding opportunities.

• Works with department Chair and the Dean's office to develop, administer and monitor the annual budget, capital equipment, operations, faculty federal and non-federal budgets recharge operations and personnel budgets.

• Oversee all aspects of non-research expenditures, and manage the discretionary funds, endowments/gifts, and accounts for numerous active/emeritus faculty.

• Responsible for the oversight and production of all materials specific to federal, non-federal and unrestricted departmental funding.

• Manages the administrative function of the Biostatistical Consulting Laboratory and oversees the financial reporting of said recharge operation.  Works directly with the BCL Director on all needs of the recharge operation.

• Work in conjunction with the Survey Lab Director on the oversight of the recharge operation in regards to the impact on the department.

• Manages the daily operations of an organizational unit or assists with managing the daily operations of a larger organizational unit, primarily in the areas of financial, purchasing, grant, facilities, human resources and support services management.

• Ensures compliance of staff with organizational, University and other relevant policies and guidelines.

• Manages all financial activities, including financial analysis and reporting, budgeting, accounting, accounts receivable/payable, and procurement.

• Oversees facilities management, including renovations, moves, maintenance and ongoing facilities operations.

• Manages development of all contracts, including those with vendors and other institutions.

• Conceives and directs special projects related to the business of the organizational unit.

• Manages the daily operations of an organizational unit or assists with managing the daily operations of a larger organizational unit, primarily in the areas of financial, purchasing, grant, facilities, human resources and support services management. Ensures compliance of staff with organizational, University and other relevant policies and guidelines.

• Manages all financial activities, including financial analysis and reporting, budgeting, accounting, accounts receivable/payable, and procurement. Oversees facilities management, including renovations, moves, maintenance and ongoing facilities operations. Manages development of all contracts, including those with vendors and other institutions.

• May oversee the management of informational technology planning, ensuring necessary operating and information systems and resources are in place to accomplish strategic goals.

• Manages space, facilities, and equipment, including renovations, moves, maintenance and ongoing facilities operations.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in accounting, administration, or related field.

Experience:

• Experience working in an academic environment, education, research or nonprofit administration.

• Progressively responsible administrative experience.

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).

• Managing budgets and finance.

• Experience working with senior leadership.

• Experience supervising administrative staff.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

Job Family

Administration & Management

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$100,000.00 - $130,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

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All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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