Department Administrator

State University of New York at Buffalo; New York (NY); On-site; USD 57,151 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

State University of New York at Buffalo is seeking a Department Administrator within the Division of Student Life to act as the primary business administrator for assigned departments. The role provides strategic financial, HR, compliance, and administrative support to department directors and senior leaders.

You will handle budget administration, procurement, contracts, HR processes, and workforce planning while ensuring adherence to university policies and best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum of 2 years of experience; or Master’s degree or professional certification.
• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in business administration, finance, human resources, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Experience with budget administration, financial management, procurement, contracts, or human resources processes.
• Demonstrated analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Excel.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first line of support for departmental business operations
• Work proactively to identify, resolve, and prevent issues related to financial administration, procurement, contracts, human resources, and business compliance.
• Function as the primary liaison between departmental leadership, Student Life Finance, Student Life Human Resources, Procurement, and other institutional administrative offices
• Provide guidance regarding budget administration, financial compliance, workforce planning, recruitment activities, contracts, procurement, and administrative processes while ensuring consistency with university policies, procedures, and best practices.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree / 2 years experience

Master’s degree or professional certification

Job description

The Division of Student Life is seeking a Department Administrator, a highly visible staff member who will serve as the primary business administrator for assigned Student Life departments and provide strategic financial, human resources, compliance, and administrative support to department directors and senior leaders.

As Department Administrator, your responsibilities include:

• Serve as the first line of support for departmental business operations
• Work proactively to identify, resolve, and prevent issues related to financial administration, procurement, contracts, human resources, and business compliance.
• Function as the primary liaison between departmental leadership, Student Life Finance, Student Life Human Resources, Procurement, and other institutional administrative offices
• Provide guidance regarding budget administration, financial compliance, workforce planning, recruitment activities, contracts, procurement, and administrative processes while ensuring consistency with university policies, procedures, and best practices.

Our team recognizes the advantages diverse perspectives and backgrounds bring to the workplace. We are particularly interested in candidates who share this value and will work to achieve the university’s goals of inclusive excellence.

About Student Life
Student Life is dedicated to creating a student-centered environment that fosters engagement, well-being, and success. Guided by four strategic priorities—student engagement, health and wellness, personalized support, and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice—we provide transformative experiences that empower students to grow, lead, and thrive. As a member of Student Life, you’ll join a team of passionate professionals united by shared values and a commitment to student success. We think big, act boldly, and pursue excellence with purpose. Together, we build inclusive communities, champion discovery, and celebrate the achievements that shape the UB experience.

Learn more:

• Our benefits , where we prioritize your well-being and success to enhance every aspect of your life.

University at Buffalo is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum of 2 years of experience; or Master’s degree or professional certification
• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in business administration, finance, human resources, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Experience with budget administration, financial management, procurement, contracts, or human resources processes.
• Demonstrated analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience supporting multiple departments or organizational units.
• Experience with SUNY , State, DIFR , IFR , Research Foundation, and University at Buffalo Foundation funding environments.
• Experience with budget planning, financial reporting, procurement, and workforce planning.
• Experience interpreting policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Experience coordinating projects and administrative initiatives.

Our University Community

Prodig+ No

Executive Position

Executive Position No

Physical Demands

Driving Requirements

Driving Requirements This position will never drive a university owned vehicle.

Salary Range

Salary Range $57,151 - $60,000

Additional Salary Information

Additional Salary Information The salary range reflects our good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation at the time of posting, the role and associated responsibilities, and the experience, education, and training of the selected candidate.

Job Type

Job Type Full-Time

Campus

Campus As Assigned

Posting Alerts

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

Is a background check required for this posting?

Is a background check required for this posting? Yes

Background Check Notification For non-internal applicants: a selected candidate will have to complete and pass a background check prior to appointment.

Contact Information

Contact's Name

Contact's Pronouns

Contact's Title

Contact's Title Assistant Director of Human Resources

Contact's Email

Contact's Phone

Contact's Phone [phone]

Posting Dates

Posted

Posted 07/29/2026

Deadline for Internal Applicants

Deadline for Internal Applicants 08/12/2026

Deadline for External Applicants

Date to be filled

Date to be filled 10/22/2026

References

Number of References Required

Number of References Required 3

Reference Cutoff Date

Instructions to Applicant

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Please indicate your current employment affiliation with the University at Buffalo.
  • Faculty
  • Faculty Student Association (FSA)
  • Research Foundation Employee
  • State Classified
  • State Professional
  • UB Foundation
  • TA/GA
  • Student
  • No Current Employment Affiliation
• * How did you first hear about this employment opportunity?
  • AcademicKeys.com
  • CareerExposure.com
  • CareerWomen.com
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • DiversitySearch.com
  • GoogleJobs.com
  • HERCjobs.org
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • IMDiversity.com
  • Indeed.com
  • LinkedIn.com
  • MBACareers.com
  • Conference
  • Personal Referral
  • UBJobs.buffalo.edu
  • Other
• * Are you a SUNY employee eligible for special consideration as a result of retrenchment?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Will you have a Bachelor's degree by the time of hire?
  • Yes
  • No

UB is an AA/EOE and welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Arrangements will be made if an applicant has a disability in order to provide access to the application, interview and selection process upon request.

Reasonable accommodation requests must be made in a timely manner by email at [e-mail] or by phone [phone].