Department Administrator II - Biology

The Department of Biology at UW-Madison seeks a Department Administrator II to partner strategically with the department chair and support a cutting-edge research and innovative teaching unit within the College of Letters & Science (L&S). Our department administrator provides key leadership that is central to all aspects of the department and is responsible for the smooth execution of administrative, operational, and financial functions. The person in this role operates with a significant level of independence, with general direction from the chair and faculty leadership. This position requires creative problem-solving, continuous improvement, and management of change. The ideal candidate will combine expertise in budgeting, financial management, and human resources with strong project management, communication, and organizational skills. Responsibilities include supervision of the department's administrative team, development of department budgets, financial analyses, reports, and forecasts, management of renovation projects and facilities maintenance, and coordination of personnel and infrastructure needs with dedicated teams and committees throughout the department. In addition, the department administrator interfaces with teams at L&S to ensure support for daily operations including human resources, instructional administration, purchasing, fund and gift management, research support, and other business functions. The department administrator will report to the department chair and be part of the department's leadership team, and in that role will need to be collaborative, professional, and able to take initiative to pursue goals independently. The administrative leader we seek in this position will be able to develop holistic financial and administration strategies necessary to position Biology for continued success as it evolves.

This leadership role requires regular availability and an onsite presence. Hybrid scheduling options will be discussed during the interview process, however candidates should anticipate being onsite a minimum of three days per week, and as needed, following an initial onboarding period. The initial onboarding period will require greater onsite presence, and its duration will depend on the onboarding needs of the individual hired.

• Provides leadership for the strategic and short-term planning processes, as well as obtaining and validating data needed for strategic decision-making

• Provides leadership, guidance, and management of the department's research, teaching and service programs, and staff to ensure efficient and effective operations

• Provides leadership and administrative oversight of basic and translational research programs including staffing, compliance, fiscal, information technology (IT), and facility needs

• Provides leadership in developing and administering budgets. Oversees financial operations including grants, contract, and other funds to ensure adherence to prudent and generally accepted accounting practices, and compliance with Federal, State, university, and sponsor rules, regulations, laws and bylaws

• Provides leadership for faculty recruitment, evaluation, development, and promotion processes

• Responsible for communication and marketing of department activities, accomplishments, and department philanthropic activities including meeting with and engaging potential donors

• Provides oversight and management of office and research space on and off campus, department information systems, and regional network development

• Facilitates the training and professional development of the administrative team and contributes to comprehensive onboarding processes for new hires across the department.

• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees

College of Letters & Science, Department of Biology

With more than 250 employees including faculty, staff, postdoctoral, and student employees, the Department of Biology is committed to innovative teaching and impactful discovery in diverse areas of research. Officially launched in 2026, the Department brings together the former botany and integrative biology departments. Research programs in the Department span the range of biological sciences, from molecules to ecosystems, and the Department is home to 8 undergraduate and 3 graduate academic programs. The Department also houses the Wisconsin State Herbarium, Botany Garden and Greenhouse, the UW Zoological Museum, and the newly formed Center for Botany.

The expected salary range for this position is $95,000 to $128,000 for highly experienced candidates. Actual pay within this range will depend on experience and qualifications.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Please review the summary of benefits for more information.

• At least 5 years of professional administrative experience with progressive responsibility in areas such as overseeing office operations, guiding process improvements, and supporting strategic initiatives in a complex organizational environment
• Experience working with financial data and budget generation
• At least 2 years of experience with supervision
• Strong verbal and written communication and administrative and organizational skills supported by effective use of digital tools and systems
• Experience fostering and maintaining collaborative relationships with people from a variety of backgrounds and education levels.
• Ability to apply sound judgement and discretion in applying and interpreting laws, rules, policies, and procedures as applicable to the position
  
  

• 3 or more years of supervision experience
• At least 2 years of experience managing financial data and budget development in a higher education or similarly complex organizational setting
• Experience in higher education administration
• Experience leading and supporting strategic initiatives
• Experience with personnel issues, including conflict management
• Experience providing support and guidance on policy, budget forecasting, and decision-making
• Experience with philanthropy strategy and oversight of gift funds
  

Bachelor's degree required; focus in business, non-profit administration, or related field preferred

Master's degree preferred

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To be considered for this recruitment, you must upload:

-Resume/Curriculum Vitae

-Cover Letter

The materials should address your experience relating to the qualifications referenced above. Specifically, applicants should describe why they are interested in this position and how their previous experience makes them qualified.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Contact Information:

Javiera Derks, HR Generalist at javiera.derks@wisc.edu

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