Job Description

The Manager, Administrative Operations serves as the senior administrative and operational leader for the Dean's Office, providing strategic leadership for administrative operations, faculty affairs, executive operations, and school-wide initiatives. Reporting to the Dean, this position oversees the daily administrative functions of the School, manages administrative staff, partners with the Dean in developing and implementing operational strategies that support the School's strategic priorities, and ensures the effective execution of operational priorities that advance the School's strategic mission.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, discretion, and sound judgment, the Manager serves as a trusted advisor to the Dean and a key liaison among faculty, staff, students, university leadership, advisory boards, alumni, and external constituents. The position is responsible for leading operational planning, overseeing complex administrative processes, overseeing faculty personnel administration, ensuring accreditation and institutional reporting compliance, managing high-profile events, and directing special projects that advance the School's strategic objectives.

Who we are:

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ↗︎

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world.

With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, Management, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible administrative, operational, or business management experience, including supervisory responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, developing, and evaluating staff.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience using enterprise systems such as Banner, Concur, PageUp, or similar administrative platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.

Relevant combinations of education, training and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education.
• Experience with strategic planning, developing and implementing policies, procedures, and operational efficiencies.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex projects.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships across all levels of an organization.
• Ability to interpret institutional policies, apply sound judgment, and make informed decisions.
• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to effectively resolve conflicts and address complex situations.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and integrity when handling sensitive information and responsibilities.

• Representative Job Duties:

• Provide operational leadership for the Dean’s Office by overseeing administrative functions, establishing efficient processes, and ensuring the effective execution of strategic and operational priorities. Manage executive operations, including complex scheduling, travel coordination, meeting logistics, preparation of briefing materials, and management of confidential matters. Oversee operational resources, including procurement, purchasing, expense reconciliation, office resources, memberships, subscriptions, records management, and compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Serve as the primary administrative liaison for the Dean’s Office, fostering communication and collaboration among faculty, staff, students, university leadership, alumni, advisory board members, and external partners. Prepare and oversee executive correspondence, reports, presentations, and other communications while ensuring professionalism, accuracy, and confidentiality.
• Lead and supervise administrative staff by assigning work, establishing priorities, monitoring performance, conducting evaluations, and supporting employee development. Promote a collaborative, customer-focused, and high-performing work environment while ensuring continuity of administrative operations across the School.
• Oversee faculty and staff personnel administration, including position approvals, recruitment and search processes, appointments, reappointments, annual evaluations, promotions, tenure reviews, and related personnel actions. Review documentation for completeness and compliance, monitor workflows, advise the Dean, Associate Deans, faculty committees, and leadership on personnel processes, and collaborate with the Provost’s Office to ensure adherence to institutional policies, timelines, and requirements.
• Lead institutional reporting, data management, and operational analysis by compiling, organizing, and analyzing data to support strategic planning, performance metrics, accreditation, annual reporting, and executive decision-making. Collaborate with university offices to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• Direct the planning and execution of school-wide meetings and events, including faculty meetings, retreats, advisory board meetings, leadership councils, recognition programs, donor and alumni events, and distinguished visitor engagements. Coordinate logistics, communications, travel arrangements, and stakeholder engagement to ensure successful execution.
• Manage accreditation and compliance activities, including data collection, documentation, reporting, and continuous improvement efforts to support AACSB accreditation and other external reporting requirements. Serve as the School’s administrative liaison with Institutional Research, the Registrar, Career Services, and other campus partners to ensure compliance with accreditation standards and institutional requirements.
• Lead strategic initiatives and special projects on behalf of the Dean by directing cross-functional teams, establishing project timelines, monitoring progress, resolving issues, and ensuring successful completion of initiatives that advance the School’s strategic goals.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Lally School of Management Specific Duty:

• Manage accreditation and compliance activities specific to the Lally School of Management, including coordination of data collection, documentation, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives supporting AACSB accreditation and other external reporting requirements. Serve as the School’s administrative liaison with Institutional Research, the Registrar, Career Services, and other campus partners to facilitate accurate reporting, maintain compliance with accreditation standards, and support the School’s strategic objectives.

Shift:

Business Hours with weekends or evenings occasionally required

Travel:

Local travel between campus locations only

Driving:

Incidental driving possible, but not required

Starting Salary/Rate:

Expected hiring range: $75,000 - $87,000

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions:

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Job Posted Date:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information:

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu)