Administrative Manager

HU101 The Howard University; United States; On-site; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

Work-Life Balance

Financial Wellness

Professional Development

Additional Perks

Job summary

Howard University is seeking an Administrative Manager for the Graduate School, responsible for financial management, HR administration, and operational oversight to support graduate education and student success.

The role interacts with university leadership, faculty, and external partners, ensuring compliance and strategic planning while advancing the mission of Howard University. A Bachelor’s degree and several years of experience in a related field are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business Administration, Accounting or closely related field.
• 5 years of related work experience may be substituted for educational qualifications.
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion and manage multiple complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial management, including expenditures, revenue trends, and internal controls.
• Coordinate administrative operations for the Graduate School and supervise staff.
• Manage HR processes: recruitment, onboarding, and personnel actions; ensure policy compliance.
• Support graduate student funding, fellowships, assistantships, and scholarships; monitor payrolls.
• Partner with leadership on strategic planning, accreditation, and institutional initiatives.

Skills

Communication

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal skills

Project coordination

Leadership by influence

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance / Business Administration / Accounting

Job description

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission. At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us! https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

BASIC FUNCTION

The Administrative Manager provides operational support for the Graduate School's administrative, financial, and human resources functions. This position serves as a key partner to Graduate School leadership and ensures efficient business operations while supporting the Graduate School's mission of advancing graduate education, research, and student success. The position is responsible for assisting in financial management, human resources, operational processes, policy implementation, staff supervision, and strategic planning initiatives that support academic departments, graduate programs, faculty, and students.

SUPERVISORY ACCOUNTABILITY

Supervisory authority is limited to the direction of an administrative assistant and students. Provides functional leadership and/or support to project managers, standing committees, and special initiative teams.

NATURE AND SCOPE

Even as an administrative support position, this role routinely operates at a high level of college leadership and routinely interacts with stakeholders across the University, Board of Visitors, faculty, corporate and foundation partners, government agencies, and accreditation bodies. The administrative manager exercises broad discretion and independent judgment in sensitive and high-impact matters. The successful candidate must, therefore, demonstrate sound judgment, intellectual agility, and discretion and must have a demonstrated ability to navigate complex and sensitive matters in a timely manner. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable operating at a strategic level and attending to day-to-day executional details.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Financial Management

• Monitor expenditures and revenue trends to ensure fiscal responsibility and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Review monthly financial reports and reconcile accounts to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Assist with procurement, purchasing, travel, reimbursement, and payment processes.
• Ensure compliance with University policies, federal regulations, and sponsor requirements.
• Support audits and provide documentation for internal and external reviews.
• Maintain financial procedures and internal controls to enhance operational effectiveness.
• Assist with pre award and post award grant management activities
• Support the development, review, and monitoring of grant budgets
• Collaborate with principal investigators, grant specialist, and central offices to resolve grant related issues.

Administrative Operations

• Manage day-to-day administrative operations of the Graduate School.
• Coordinate strategic projects and special initiatives that support graduate education and student success.
• Assist in the development and implement policies, procedures, and business processes to improve efficiency and customer service.
• Support Graduate School events, orientations, convocations, workshops, and commencement-related activities.
• Coordinate activities across academic units to support graduate students, faculty, and program administrators.
• Partner with university leadership on strategic planning, accreditation support, and institutional initiatives.

Human Resources Administration

• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, and personnel actions for professional and administrative staff.
• Ensure compliance with University Human Resources policies and procedures.
• Support workforce planning, organizational development, and succession planning efforts.
• Coordinate salary administration and position management activities.
• Promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture that encourages collaboration and professional growth.
• Identify and support training and development opportunities for staff.

Graduate Student and Academic Support

• Partner with academic departments to support graduate student funding, fellowships, assistantships, and scholarships.
• Monitor graduate student payroll and stipend processing.
• Assist with implementation of Graduate School policies and procedures.
• Support enrollment management, student services, and academic program administration.
• Collaborate with faculty and program directors on initiatives that enhance graduate student success and retention.
• Support compliance related to academic records, graduate appointments, and student funding.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing materials for senior leaders and varied audiences.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to connect long‑term institutional goals to near‑term actions.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across a wide range of constituencies, including faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a complex, fast‑paced environment, managing multiple priorities while maintaining a high standard of quality and accuracy.
• Proven capacity to lead through influence, coordinate across diverse stakeholders, and drive initiatives to completion.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business Administration, Accounting or closely related field and minimum of 2-5 years of relevant experience.
• 5 years of related work experience may be substituted in lieu of educational qualifications.
• Proven experience with the ability to handle confidential information with discretion, to manage a large variety of details and coordinate complex projects during numerous interruptions, and to meet deadlines in a fast‑paced work environment.
• Preferred experience working with executives and academic leaders.
• Proven successful administrative experience in a university setting.

Note: This position description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required. The university has the right to revise this position description at any time. This position description is not construed as a contract for employment.

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

$85,000-$90,000 Howard University is a comprehensive, research-oriented, historically Black private university providing an educational experience of exceptional quality to students of high academic potential with particular emphasis upon the provision of educational opportunities to promising Black students. Further, the University is dedicated to attracting and sustaining a cadre of faculty who are, through their teaching and research, committed to the development of distinguished and compassionate graduates and to the quest for solutions to human and social problems in the United States and throughout the world.

Howard University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex,sexual orientation,gender or gender identity, marital status, religion, disability or protected veterans status. Veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Inquiries regarding provisions for persons with disabilities or veterans status, Equal Employment Opportunity and Title IX should be directed to the Office of Employee Relations and Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-806-1280.

This position description is not be construed as a contract for employment.