Administrative Partner Lead

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 51,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Minnesota is seeking an Administrative Partner Lead to supervise Administrative Partners and provide broad support to the Dean and senior leaders. The role emphasizes process improvement, coordination with HR, Finance, IT, and Advancement, and ensuring high-quality administrative services across CVM units.

This on-campus position requires strong relationship-building, calendar management, and problem-solving to keep daily operations smooth and equitable across units.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Business Administration or similar field plus four years of experience, or combined education/experience equaling eight years.
• Experience providing broad administrative support to senior-level leaders and coordinating with HR, Finance, IT, and/or Advancement.
• Experience leading collaborative projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive administrative support to Dean, Functional Leads, and Associate Deans.
• Manage calendars, correspondence, travel, procurement, and facilities coordination.
• Coordinate with Shared Services, HR, Finance, IT, and other units to ensure efficient operations.
• Supervise Administrative Partners, coach team members, and implement process improvements.
• Represent leadership to faculty, staff, and external offices; triage inquiries and escalation paths.

Skills

Administrative support

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BA/BS in Business Administration

Job description

About the Job

Priority will be given to qualified candidates who arecurrently employed within the CVM.

The Administrative Partner Lead provides supervision and oversightfor the college's Administrative Partners within the administrativeservices organization, implementing plans that result inhigh-quality administrative support across CVM units. The Lead also provides direct administrative support to the Dean of CVM, Functional Leads, and several Associate Deans. The role requiresthe ability to maintain strong relationships with a variety ofstakeholders and solve problems related to daily operations.Reporting to the Shared Services Director, the Administrative Partner Lead ensures unit-facing work aligns with service levelagreements while driving efficiency, consistency, and equity acrossthe college.

The Administrative Partner Lead has a dual role: First, the Lead supervises the work of two or more Administrative Partners. The members of this team each serve as the first point of contact for CVM Leaders, staff, and faculty as it relates to their area or unit administrative needs. They provide broad administrative support, including calendar and meeting management, correspondence, travel coordination for unit leaders and purchasing support, and facilities and supplies coordination for faculty and staff. They also serve as the primary liaison between unit leaders and the Shared Services team and work closely with colleagues in HR, Finance, and Facilities. As the leader of this team, the Administrative Partner Lead is responsible for implementing standards, monitoring the quality and consistency of the team’s work, coaching and training team members, and recommending improvements to the Shared Services model. Second, the Administrative Partner provides broad administrative support to the Dean, Functional Leads, and several Associate Deans, following the same standard of work.

Primary Responsibilities

Administrative Support – 50%

• Support Dean’s office: Deliver comprehensive administrative services, including day-to-day problem-solving and coordination of administrative workflows for Dean, Functional Leads, and several Assistant Deans.
• Represent Leadership: Act as the primary point of contact for Dean, Functional Leads, and Assistant Deans with faculty, staff, and external offices, managing incoming inquiries and exercising discretion in determining appropriate escalation paths.
• Manage Correspondence: Triage the Dean’s inboxes and phone communications, and draft, review, and send communications in the leader’s voice.
• Manage Calendars: Schedule and manage complex calendars for Dean and Assistant Deans, including booking meeting rooms, arranging technology, distributing documentation, and coordinating logistics for leadership-level meetings.
• Event Logistics: Manage all logistics for small-scale internal events such as unit-level meetings and appreciation events.
• Coordinate Travel and Expenses: Manage travel arrangements and expense reporting for some CVM leaders.
• Purchasing Support: Process purchase orders, procurement card transactions, and invoices to support unit budgeting and purchasing needs through required processes.
• Coordinate Facilities and Supplies: Order office and facilities supplies, submit repair and access requests, and maintain equipment and vehicle records.
• Manage Vendors and Contracts: Process professional-service contracts, administer contracts for services and goods, and authorize contract payments.
• Maintain Records: Maintain filing systems and databases to support accurate recordkeeping across the college.
• Maintain Communication Lists: Maintain current all-staff communication lists.

Administrative Management - 30%

• Drive Process Improvement: Implement initiatives and projects that support process improvement and operational efficiency across the college as it relates to administrative support.
• Implement Standards: Ensure team members are following standardized workflows, processes, and practices to enable consistent, equitable, and high-quality support across CVM units.
• Solve Issues: Serve as the escalation point for any faculty or staff questions or concerns related to administrative support.
• Connect Teams: Enable easy, seamless coordination between units and functional teams across CVM, including the Workforce Administration and Events teams within Shared Services and HR, IT, Advancement, and Finance. Collaborate with these teams to establish new or revised processes in response to changes in University-level policies, procedures, and operational requirements.
• Anticipate Needs: Collaborate with Administrative Partners and Shared Services Associates to gather data and forecast needs across the entirety of CVM.

Supervision - 20%

• Oversee Daily Operations: Supervise and evaluate staff, setting priorities and goals for the team’s daily work.
• Cultivate a Positive Culture: Mentor staff and foster a positive, engaging work environment that supports retention and professional growth.
• Develop Team Members: Set clear expectations, coach Administrative Partners, and provide ongoing feedback and professional development.

Location and Work Environment

This is primarily an on-campus position on the St. Paul campus and requires on-campus or event location presence as needed.

Work Schedule

Standard daytime hours, Monday through Friday, with occasional events outside of normal working hours.

Qualifications

All required qualifications must be included in the application materials

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS in Business Administration or a similar field plus atleast four years of experience, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least eight years.
• Experience providing broad administrative support to senior-level leaders and coordinating with HR, Finance, IT, and/or Advancement on cross-functional administrative matters
• Experience leading collaborative projects

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with, knowledge and skills related to higher education, clinical service or research programs, and/or the University of Minnesota
• Demonstrated ability and flexibility to work successfully with a diverse group of internal and external clients
• Ability to lead and implement process improvement initiatives
• Demonstrated evidence of skill in writing reports, policies, communications or planning documents

Physical Requirements

• Lifting: Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs regularly
• Pushing/pulling: Ability to push loaded supply cart as needed
• Standing/walking: Ability to walk short distances as needed
• Bending/stooping: Ability to bend and stoop as needed
• Fine motor skills: Ability to type accurately and efficiently
• Visual acuity: Close range vision for computer work
• Auditory awareness: Ability to hear warning signals, alarms or communicate

About the Department

The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine is a global leader in education, research, and healthcare at the intersection of animal, human, and environmental health. Home to the Veterinary Medical Center, the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and The Raptor Center, the college plays a critical role in advancing veterinary medicine and One Health initiatives. Established in 1947, it remains Minnesota’s only veterinary college, fully accredited and highly ranked. With nearly 4,000 veterinarians and hundreds of biomedical scientists among its graduates, the college is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community dedicated to improving the well‑being of animals, people, and the environment.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $36.53- $42.07 hourly ; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and 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.

Diversity

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

Employment Requirements

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.

About University of Minnesota

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 Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work‑life flexibility.