Department Administrator, Global Studies and Modern Languages

Drexel University; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The College of Arts and Sciences (CoAS), Department of Global Studies and Modern Languages at Drexel University, seeks a Department Administrator to manage operational and financial activities with independence and accuracy. You will support faculty, staff, and students, ensuring compliance with university policies and reporting to the Department Head.

Responsibilities include budgeting, purchasing, hiring paperwork, HR coordination, space and event support, and collaboration with the Dean's

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent, plus relevant experience.
• Minimum of 5 years in higher education, budget management, or customer service.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; Excel required.
• Strong analytical, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks independently.

Responsibilities

• Oversee departmental budgeting, cost-centers, and compliance.
• Manage purchasing and monthly P-Card reconciliations.
• Process all hiring paperwork for faculty, staff, and students.
• Support HR processes and labor allocations.
• Coordinate with Dean's Office and College offices.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving abilities

Teamwork and collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job no: 507342

Work type: Full-Time

Location: University City - Philadelphia, PA

Categories: Drexel University, College of Arts & Sciences

Job Summary

College of Arts and Sciences (CoAS), Department of Global Studies and Modern Languages, is seeking an organized, analytical, courteous, and proactive Department Administrator who is skilled in managing multiple tasks independently while delivering superior support to our team of faculty and staff. Under the direction and supervision of the Department Head, the successful candidate will be responsible for planning and administering the operational and financial activities of the Department as an academic unit and provide attentive support to all faculty, staff, and students. The Department Administrator will manage all day-to-day purchasing, hiring, and business processes of the ongoing teaching, research, and scholarship activities within the Department while maintaining compliance with relevant College, university, and government policies. While reporting to the Department Head, this key role will also liaise with the Dean's Office and will help analyze office processes and policies, develop creative solutions to problems, answer operational questions, and take part in decision-making that supports increased efficiencies for the Department and College.

Essential Functions

• Financial Tasks:
  • Ensure that all relevant departmental cost-centers (i.e., unrestricted, restricted, designated, gift), personnel and operating expenses are appropriate, in compliance, and within budget.
  • Support departmental leadership on departmental spending, financial objectives, and compliance
  • Oversee all purchasing for the department as well as monthly reconciliation of purchasing card statements.
  • Independently manage and document all financial transactions. Complete labor redistributions, journal entries, and other expenses-related tasks as needed.
  • Provide guidance and support to departmental employees on best practices for purchasing, reimbursement and awards/prize distribution, when relevant.
  • Prepare annual budget reports, business activity reports, and expense tracking reports
  • Serve as primary budget/administrative contact for the Office of the Dean (CoAS)
  • Under the supervision of the Department Head, liaise with various offices (e.g., Procurement, Office of General Counsel, Human Resources, Comptroller's Office, Tax Office, Payroll Office, Work Study Office, Drexel Central, Scheduling Team, Graduate Support Team, ISSS, Facilities, Institutional Advancement, University programs and schools, College Grant Administrators, etc.)
• Personnel Tasks:
  • Process all departmental hiring paperwork for adjuncts, faculty, staff, students, temporary employees, visitors/guests (including tuition remission and summer salary, if relevant)
  • Support the recruitment and onboarding processes for all employees associated with the department
  • Ensure compliance with all Human Resources hiring policies
  • Certify personnel labor is charged to the appropriate funding source
  • Approve time sheets for employees, if/as needed (e.g. monthly employees and biweekly employees, etc.)
  • Establish an active network of professional contacts to support the execution of departmental business operations
  • Help create and maintain a database of all departmental contracts and track faculty teaching loads in collaboration with CoAS
  • Supervise support staff within the department; conduct staff meetings, if relevant
• Administrative Tasks:
  • Execute all day-to-day business processes, developing and implementing procedures in compliance with university policy, federal regulations, and contractual requirements
  • Manage and/or provide oversight of departmental space, where pertinent, which includes but is not limited to stocking departmental space with business and academic supplies, submitting work orders, overseeing phone lines and office equipment, and attending to space requests
  • Oversee and support routine departmental events which includes but is not limited to advertising, reserving space, arranging meetings, booking travel, and ordering food
  • Maintain departmental physical and digital records in compliance with the University's record retention policy
  • Support faculty life-cycle processes, including the Promotion & Tenure Process of tenure track and teaching faculty
  • Assist with reports, if necessary
  • Provide direction and advice to all employees, students, and vendors with business and academic operational questions. Resolve problems with the highest level of customer service
  • Oversee select department-specific academic processes such as curriculum updates in Courseleaf and language placement exams
  • Liaise and coordinate with the College scheduling team so that the team can ensure proper instructional assignments, course offerings, classroom spaces, etc.
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
• Minimum of 5 years of experience directly related to higher education, budget management, and/or customer service.
• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (including Microsoft Excel).
• Exceptional analytical skills and ability to oversee highly confidential information.
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and multi-tasking skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to follow-through of assigned tasks and projects.
• Ability to utilize critical thinking skills and judgment in problem-solving and decision-making, or escalating issues as needed.
• Strong interpersonal skills and collegiality.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Location

• University City - Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt, grade K. Compensation for this grade ranges from $60,240 - $90,350 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position will vary based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel's compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

Advertised: Sep 30 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Oct 30 2026 Eastern Daylight Time