Administrative Director

Lehigh University; Bethlehem (Northampton County); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid leave

Tuition benefits for employees and/or

Professional development support

Job summary

Lehigh University’s Division of Student Affairs seeks an Administrative Director to translate strategic vision into operational reality on a Bethlehem campus. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, this role provides senior administrative direction across a broad portfolio and partners with university leadership on complex initiatives.

The successful candidate will direct divisional financial planning, budget development, HR processes, and communications strategies, while ensuring

Qualifications

• Senior administrative leadership experience within higher education or a comparably complex organization.
• Proven financial planning, forecasting, and responsible resource stewardship.
• Experience managing HR processes and advising on workforce matters with discretion.
• A track record of resolving ambiguous, consequential administrative challenges independently.
• The communication skills to represent Lehigh Student Affairs credibly at every level of the university.
• A collaborative leadership style that builds sustained trust across diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Vice President on administrative, financial, and operational matters.
• Direct divisional financial planning, budget development, and multi-unit resource allocation.
• Oversee human resources administration, including recruitment workflows, workforce planning, and compliance.
• Lead divisional communications strategies for both internal audiences and university-wide stakeholders.
• Translate the Vice President’s strategic priorities into coordinated, measurable operational plans.
• Establish and maintain administrative policies, procedures, and governance frameworks across the division.
• Resolve complex, high-stakes administrative matters that require substantial independent judgment.
• Drive enterprise-level strategic initiatives from conception through implementation.
• Represent the division in cross-functional university committees and administrative working groups.
• Monitor divisional performance against operational goals and recommend adjustments as priorities evolve.

Skills

Senior leadership

Financial acumen

HR processes

Strategic planning

Communications

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Job no: 504029

Work type: Exempt Staff Full-time

Location: Partial Remote, Bethlehem

Categories: Administrative Services

Lehigh University's Division of Student Affairs shapes the out-of-classroom experience for thousands of students on a campus consistently recognized for residential life, community engagement, and student success. At the helm of the division's administrative infrastructure, the Administrative Director translates strategic vision into operational reality alongside one of Lehigh's most visible senior leaders. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Student Affairs, you will provide senior administrative direction across a broad and consequential portfolio.

Position Number: S80035

This position is a Grade: 11 - 40 with an approximate salary range of $83,910-$102,080 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.

What You’ll Lead

• Serve as a key advisor to the Vice President on administrative, financial, and operational matters
• Direct divisional financial planning, budget development, and multi-unit resource allocation
• Oversee human resources administration, including recruitment workflows, workforce planning, and compliance
• Lead divisional communications strategies for both internal audiences and university-wide stakeholders
• Translate the Vice President’s strategic priorities into coordinated, measurable operational plans
• Establish and maintain administrative policies, procedures, and governance frameworks across the division
• Resolve complex, high-stakes administrative matters that require substantial independent judgment
• Drive enterprise-level strategic initiatives from conception through implementation
• Represent the division in cross-functional university committees and administrative working groups
• Monitor divisional performance against operational goals and recommend adjustments as priorities evolve

What You Bring

• Senior administrative or operations leadership experience within higher education or a comparably complex organization
• Proven financial acumen, including budget planning, forecasting, and responsible resource stewardship
• Experience managing HR processes and advising on workforce matters with discretion
• A track record of resolving ambiguous, consequential administrative challenges independently
• The communication skills to represent Lehigh Student Affairs credibly at every level of the university
• A collaborative leadership style that builds sustained trust across diverse teams

Why Lehigh

Lehigh offers the intellectual energy of a research university alongside a genuine investment in its people - including generous paid leave, tuition benefits for employees and eligible dependents, and strong professional development support. Within Student Affairs, you’ll join a team that measures success by the growth and wellbeing of every student it serves, on a close-knit Bethlehem campus where your decisions carry visible, lasting impact. Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and we seek qualified candidates to contribute to the university’s mission.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist.

Special Considerations

• The duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by their supervisor.
• This position has fiscal or financial responsibilities other than employee expense activity, such as processing or approving transactions; monitoring or preparing budgets; or generating income for University, therefore, a credit check is required.

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.

Advertised: September 09, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Open until filled