Department Manager

UCLA; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering seeks an Administrative Supervisor 2 to provide comprehensive leadership for department operations, including finance, HR, IT, and facilities. You will manage a team and oversee a multimillion-dollar portfolio to support academic, research, and public service missions.

The role requires strong budgeting, strategic planning, and stakeholder collaboration with faculty and staff to ensure efficient operations and confidential handling of

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years progressively responsible experience in academic or research administration.
• Experience with financial management and supervision of professional staff is preferred.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of management principles and practices.
• Budget management and analysis of financial operating data to determine costs and budget maintenance.
• Ability to define staffing needs, recruit, train, supervise, evaluate performance, and take disciplinary actions.
• Demonstrated excellent customer service and strong interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive operational and administrative leadership for the department.
• Direct core administrative functions including finance, HR, academic administration, student affairs, IT, and facilities.
• Oversee annual portfolio of approximately $23 million in operating and sponsored funds.
• Establish and implement operational policies and protocols; plan for programs, budgets, and resources.
• Lead strategic planning for academic programs and departmental operations.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and exceptional service to faculty, staff, students, and researchers.

Skills

Budget management

Staff supervision

Financial reporting

UC policies knowledge

Communication skills

Independent work

Customer service

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's Degree in business administration, finance or related field

Job description

Department Summary

The UCLA Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), one of the academic departments within the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, is a dynamic community of faculty, researchers, and students dedicated to advancing engineering solutions for society’s most pressing infrastructure and environmental challenges. The department’s research and academic programs span environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, water resources and coastal engineering, structural engineering and mechanics, civil engineering materials, and transportation engineering. UCLA CEE’s interdisciplinary research addresses critical issues including sustainable and resilient infrastructure, climate and environmental challenges, water resources, natural hazards, transportation, environmental health, and next-generation construction materials. With approximately 28 faculty members, 20 research laboratories and centers, and more than 500 undergraduate and graduate students, the department offers a collaborative environment that integrates innovative research, exceptional education, and real-world impact. Located in Los Angeles and part of UCLA—the nation’s No. 1 public university—CEE is uniquely positioned to engage with complex urban, environmental, and infrastructure challenges while preparing the next generation of engineers and leaders. The department is committed to excellence in teaching, research, innovation, and service and to building a collaborative community that advances the future of civil and environmental engineering.

Position Summary

The position provides comprehensive operational and administrative leadership for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering with a high degree of independence within broadly defined departmental goals and objectives. Reporting to the Department Chair, the incumbent provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight in support of the department's academic, research, and public service mission. The incumbent directs the department's core administrative and operational functions—including finance, research administration, human resources, academic administration, student affairs, information technology, and facilities—through a team of five direct reports and 1 indirect report. The position is responsible for establishing and implementing operational policies and protocols; leading short- and long-term strategic planning for academic programs, budgets, staffing, and resources; and overseeing fiscal, personnel, facilities, and administrative operations. The position is responsible for the strategic stewardship and oversight of an annual portfolio of approximately $23 million in operating, state, and sponsored research funds, ensuring sound financial management, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and exceptional service in support of the department's faculty, staff, students, and research enterprise.

Salary & Compensation

*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years Progressively responsible experience in academic or research administration. (Required)
• Experience with financial management and supervision of professional staff. (Preferred)
• Demonstrated working knowledge of management principles and practices. (Required)
• Working knowledge of UC policies and procedures in the areas of a) academic, staff, and apprentice personnel; b) student affairs; c) budget and accounting; d) contract and grant administration; e) travel, purchasing, and equipment management (Preferred)
• Demonstrated skill in budget management and analysis of financial operating data to determine costs, control operations, cost effectiveness, and budget maintenance. (Required)
• Demonstrated knowledge of policies, procedures, specific to UCLA Corporate Financial Services, Purchasing & Accounts Payable, UCLA Human Resource Administration, Visa Regulations and Travel Policies. (Preferred)
• Skill in budget preparation, long-range planning and forecasting (Preferred)
• Ability to define staffing needs, recruit, train, supervise, evaluate performance, and take disciplinary actions (Required)
• Demonstrated excellent customer service and strong interpersonal skills to work effectively and build cooperative, effective relationships with faculty, staff, students, senior management and advisory board members (Required)
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information (Required)
• Demonstrative knowledge or experience in managing contracts and grants and proposal submission to back up fund manager (Preferred)
• Ability to work independently, to establish priorities, and to accomplish departmental goals and objectives. (Required)
• Ability to identify and resolve complex administrative problems departmentally and across organizational boundaries. (Required)
• Demonstrated written communication skills to prepare concise, logical, grammatically correct analytical reports, correspondence, policies and procedures. (Required)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

• Bachelor's Degree in business administration, finance or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience. (Required) Or

Special Conditions for Employment

• Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
• Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.
• Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

Schedule

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

Union/Policy Covered

99-Policy Covered

Complete Position Description

https://universityofcalifornia.marketpayjobs.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=38&JDName=Administrative Supervisor 2 (40049578)