Director of Administration

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 91,805 - 127,337; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages and benefits

Tuition benefit program

Retirement plans with employer-contrib

Health and wellness programs

Job summary

University of Minnesota seeks a Director of Administration for the Office of General Counsel to oversee finance, HR, and general management across units. The role includes supervising five staff, ensuring policy compliance, and participating in university-wide groups.

The position is hybrid, 100% time, 12 months, with on-site days Tue/Wed and remote other days; pay range $91,805–$127,337, with extensive benefits. Background check required.

Qualifications

• BA/BS with 8+ years of leadership experience.
• Supervisory experience providing direction to others.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Proficiency in Google Workspace.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to exercise judgment with confidential and sensitive issues.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong multitasking and prioritization skills.
• Professional demeanor and client service skills.
• Ability to track multiple deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Oversee annual budget preparation and financial reporting.
• Act as Chief Financial Manager and RRC manager.
• Coordinate purchasing, RFIs, RFPs, and bid exemptions.
• Manage payments to legal firms and report on legal fees.
• Coordinate annual billing and reimbursements.
• Lead HR activities: hiring, performance evaluations, staff meetings.
• Participate in management meetings and coordinate all-staff meetings.
• Oversee IT, space management, and project management.

Skills

Communication skills

Discretion

Time management

Independent worker

Team leadership

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Education

BA/BS degree

Master's degree (MBA/MPA)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Workspace

EFS/Financial systems

Job description

About the Job

The Director of Administration provides oversight for the Office of General Counsel and its affiliated units: Athletic Compliance, Data Access and Privacy, and Clery Compliance. This role encompasses responsibility for financial management, human resources, and general management across all units. The position involves managing the administrative functions of the office and direct supervision of five members of the support staff. The incumbent serves as a member of the departmental management team, ensuring that all departments adhere to the University’s administrative policies and processes, and participates in University-wide groups such as Resource Responsibility Centers (RRC) leaders and EFS Cluster Directors. Given the legal and compliance matters handled by this office, maintaining the utmost confidentiality is essential.

This is a hybrid, 100% time, 12 month, P&A position with required on-site work on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and remote work on the other days of the week. OGC employees working remotely are expected to work in the Minneapolis – Saint Paul metropolitan area so they will be able to come into the office if needed.

Financial Management (40%)

• Preparation and management of annual budget; timely reporting of financial position to the management team;
• Serve as the Chief Financial Manager, Resource Responsibility Center (RRC) manager; EFS Cluster Director;
• Purchasing manager for goods and services, and professional services. coordinate RFIs, RFPs, and exception to bid requests
• Management of payments to legal firms and outside attorneys; reporting on outside legal spending and verification of compliance of legal fees spending within University departments; coordinating with the Vice President and Budget Director on reimbursement of legal fees and settlement funds received by the University.
• EFS approver/Finance Operations Center Requests
  Vendor Payments,
  Travel Expenses,
  Procurement Card
  Journal Entry Approvals
  Requisition Approvals
  Position Management/Position Budgeting
  Payroll Audit
• Coordination of timely and accurate payments of legal settlements negotiated by OGC attorneys;
• Respond to internal audit requests
• Coordinate of annual billing and quarterly reimbursement request to RUMINCO
• Research, interpretation, development and implementation of University policies related to OGC fiscal activities.

Human Resources Management/Supervisory/Staff Management (30%)

• Exercise full range of supervisory authority and responsibilities for direct reports including hiring, promotion, assignment, discipline, rewards, and direction of the work of employees;
• Performance evaluation of all direct reports;
• Conduct and organize regular staff meetings with direct reports;
• Serve as hiring manager and chair the selection committee for new hires of direct reports;
• Serve as OGC HR Lead and point of contact with Morrill Hall Shared Services Team;
• Submit all HR related service requests to the HR Operations Service Desk.
• Coordinate and manage recruiting, hiring and orientation process for new, permanent and temporary OGC employees
• Manage and coordinate OGC's annual performance evaluations process and related annual salary increases
• Coordinate Employee Engagement process
• Ensure that OGC staff complies with University and OGC policies and processes.

OGC General Management (30%)

• Serve as a member of the OGC management team; participate in bi-weekly OGC management meetings, including preparation of agenda;
• Coordinate the agenda for monthly OGC all-staff meetings; present OGC management agenda items; arrange for guest presentations
• Supervise the organization of office events such as attorney and support staff retreats, luncheons, recognition events, summer picnics; retirement recognition events
• Responsible for upkeep of OGC Google Groups and members, shared calendars, departmental email accounts and sponsored email accounts
• Request deprovisioning of email accounts
• Serve as Website Digital Accessibility Coordinator (WEDAC)
• Coordination and completion of surveys and requests for information by other universities and professional organizations;
• Serve as OGC POC for University strategic initiatives that impact Finance, HR and Facility functions, i.e. PEAK, centralized billing, TRIRIGA facility software.
• Coordinate annual REPA reporting cycle and updates; coordinate delegations of authority assignments
• Technology management
  responsible for purchase and deployment of appropriate hardware and software, multifunction machines, and other technology
  Serve as the departmental IT liaison; coordinate IT related issues through central OIT by recommending and proposing technology solutions and/or products.
  Daily troubleshooting of technology issues
  Coordinate technology support with Desktop Support professionals
  Deploy technology solutions to new employees, temporary/casual employees, law clerks and contractors
• Space Management
  Serve as RRC facility lead and departmental Facility Rep
  Liaison with building management management for physical space; serve as the space coordinator for the department.
  Complete annual space survey audits
  Coordinate digital phone, voice and data changes and upgrades
  Coordinate building card access
• Project Management
  Timely management and completion of departmental projects.
  office construction and remodeling of spaces
  office relocations and moves;
  Ergonomic modifications to offices and workspaces
  Large purchases of office equipment or furnishings

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS with at least 8 years of experience and prior oversight of a department or cross-disciplinary team.
• Supervisory experience: provide direction and strategic guidance to others.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Proficiency in Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Drive)
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to exercise considerable judgment and discretion in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong multitasking and prioritization skills
• Professional demeanor and strong client service skills
• Ability to track and manage multiple deadlines effectively

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior University of Minnesota experience
• Experience with the University’s Enterprise Financial System (EFS) or similar financial enterprise system;
• Experience with University’s Financial Operations Center (FinOps) and submitting requests
• Experience with University’s Human Resources Operations Center and Talent Acquisition Center for Expertise and submitting requests
• Higher education administration experience
• Experience with document management software
• Master’s degree in business or public administration

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $91,805 - $127,337; 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.