Department Administrator

Position Overview

This position serves as the Chief of Staff and Department Administrator in the Department of
Geography, Environment, and Society. This position strategically manages and plans all aspects
of the department's operations, including human resources, curriculum delivery, and fiscal
management and planning. As a department decision-maker with independent authority, this
position serves as a trusted advisor to the chair and leads initiatives supporting the department's
mission, goals, and strategic priorities. This position supervises two staff members. The modality
of this position will be hybrid, with the expectation that this person is in the office at least 3-4
days per week.

GES encompasses 4 sub-units and numerous degree programs: Geography (B.A., B.S., M.A.,
Ph.D.), Biology, Society, and Environment (B.A., B.S.), Urban Studies (B.A., B.S.), and Master
of Geographic Information Science (MGIS). In total, over 600 students are active in GES.

Appointment Details

This is a 100%-time, Annual Renewable, Academic and Professional (P&A) position.

Job Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Operations - 30%

• Forecast, troubleshoot, and anticipate the needs of the department. Collaborate with the
  department chair and officers to lead and execute short and long-term strategic planning.
• Partner with faculty and staff to build collaborative relationships with CLA
  Administration, other collegiate and University units, as well as with professional,
  academic, and community partners.
• Oversee design of external communication strategies and messaging with department
  chair, including the bi-annual department newsletter, print, web, and social media
• Develop, update, and implement departmental policies.
• Coordinate external reviews, including developing self-study reports, managing site
  visits, collecting data, and leading data analysis. Serve as a lead point of contact for data
  requests for internal and external surveys.
• Partner with faculty and staff on space management and associated initiatives such as labs
  and outreach spaces.
• In collaboration with the chair, collegiate and university agencies, manage development,
  donor relations, and outreach activities. Support alumni and donor outreach, including
  overseeing events involving alumni and donors.

Administrative Management and Support - 25%

• Manage unit operations and troubleshoot issues.
• Serve as chief of staff and provide leadership for staff, fostering an inclusive,
  professional, positive, and team-oriented working environment.
• Serve as the lead contact for addressing issues related to personnel and budget. Represent
  the department to CLA administrative and academic units, including the CLA
  Administrators Forum, and the broader University community.
• Oversee space planning, allocation, and reporting tasks of staff. Work with facilities on
  emergency plans. Manage changes to space, equipment, and computer inventory and
  replacement.
• Develop departmental curriculum with input from Chair, DUS, DGS, the UG Advisor,
  and Faculty at large. Collaborate with Chair and Faculty on course development and
  long-term curricular development.

Fiscal Management - 20%

• Act as a fiscal manager with broad independent authority for purchasing, budget
  oversight, and fiscal planning of non-sponsored, sponsored, and donated funds. Provide
  Chair with an analysis of departmental needs and spending priorities.
• Oversee, administer, and monitor grants through close communication with Fiscal
  Administration, including pre-award and post-award support. Serve as liaison to the
  Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA).
• Manage donated funds and authorize spending. Direct annual scholarship and fellowship
  award processes in consultation with the chair and DGS. Prepare scholarship/fellowship
  award projections for more than 14 endowment funds. Ensure that endowment spending
  and annual scholarship awards are in accordance with endowment agreements.
• Identify and anticipate instructional funding needs and ensure funding is efficiently spent.

Human Resources Management - 15%

• Serve as the unit contact to CLA HR for civil service, labor represented, P&A, faculty,
  graduate assistants, undergraduate student employees, and temporary/casual employees.
• Manage all aspects of personnel, including developing job descriptions and performance
  standards; conducting searches; hiring; training and onboarding of new employees;
  orienting; assigning, monitoring, and adjusting workloads; problem-solving; disciplining;
  settling grievances; and facilitating terminations.
• Partner with CLA HR on current and anticipated human resources-related needs and
  troubleshooting issues. Interpret, develop, and implement unit policies and procedures to
  ensure compliance.
• In consultation with CLA HR and OFAA, provide guidance to the chair on employment
  personnel issues, as well as fellows and visiting scholars.
• Lead Graduate Teaching Assistant assignments, matching students to courses.
• Post jobs and hire adjunct/contract faculty and part-time instructional staff each year to
  fulfill curricular needs and obligations to the students, in compliance with university and
  college policy.
• Manage and direct appointment submissions via TDX for employees, including
  appointment modifications.
• Troubleshoot payroll issues related to employees.

Supervision - 10 %

• Supervision responsibilities for two staff, including directing the day-to-day work.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and guidance to direct reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

The department and employer reserve the right to modify job responsibilities as appropriate
according to the needs of the department and college.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree with at least six years of experience
• Experience in supervising staff
• Experience working and communicating with diverse constituents
• Experience in HR, Finance and/or Curriculum Management/Course Scheduling

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience working in a higher education setting
• Previous experience working in an academic department
• Experience with promotion and tenure processes
• Ability to work collaboratively and foster an inclusive, convivial work environment
• Capacity to adapt to changing processes and demonstrated ability to exercise initiative
  and sound judgment while managing projects and priorities in a dynamic academic
  setting.
• Proficiency in data analysis and use of technology
• Experience with PeopleSoft/HRMS, EFS, Donor Management System, or other systems

About the Department of Geography, Environment, and Society

• Established in 1925, GES is one of the first Geography departments in the nation and has
  long been among the best. With national leadership in the biophysical sciences, urban and
  economic geography, nature-society studies, and spatial analysis and visualization, we
  have pioneered world-changing interdisciplinary research for 100 years.
• The work setting is supportive and convivial.
• Faculty and students focus on cultivating a culture of community-engaged research and
  an emphasis on experiential learning, field-based coursework, and practical
  problem-solving.
• We offer three undergraduate majors: biology, society & environment (BA), geography
  (BA and BS) and urban studies (BA and BS), along with undergraduate minors in
  geography, urban studies, geographic information science (GIS), and public health that
  complement many majors.
• At the graduate level, GES offers PhD and MA programs in geography and a
  professional master's of geographic information science (MGIS).

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal
Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic
departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units.
CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and
administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West
Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of
the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an
annual all-funds budget of $290 million.
CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our
increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational
commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of
underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines,
recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse
perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills
we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

Pay Range: $80,000 - $93,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Required application materials

1. Cover letter
   1. State your interest in the role and the department
   2. Note relevant administrative experience, particularly in an academic or higher education
      setting, if applicable;
   3. Highlight proficiency in skills critical for academic administration
   4. Describe organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, using specific
      examples whenever possible
   5. Clarify your understanding of and commitment to supporting the academic mission of the
      department and the institution.
2. Resume
3. References will be requested at a later date

Priority application consideration date: November 10, 2025. This position will be open until filled

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).