Strategic Administrative & Operations Director

Lehigh University; Bethlehem (Northampton County); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid leave

Tuition benefits for employees and/or

Professional development support

Job summary

Lehigh University’s Division of Student Affairs seeks an Administrative Director to translate strategic vision into operational reality on a Bethlehem campus. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, this role provides senior administrative direction across a broad portfolio and partners with university leadership on complex initiatives.

The successful candidate will direct divisional financial planning, budget development, HR processes, and communications strategies, while ensuring

Qualifications

• Senior administrative leadership experience within higher education or a comparably complex organization.
• Proven financial planning, forecasting, and responsible resource stewardship.
• Experience managing HR processes and advising on workforce matters with discretion.
• A track record of resolving ambiguous, consequential administrative challenges independently.
• The communication skills to represent Lehigh Student Affairs credibly at every level of the university.
• A collaborative leadership style that builds sustained trust across diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Vice President on administrative, financial, and operational matters.
• Direct divisional financial planning, budget development, and multi-unit resource allocation.
• Oversee human resources administration, including recruitment workflows, workforce planning, and compliance.
• Lead divisional communications strategies for both internal audiences and university-wide stakeholders.
• Translate the Vice President’s strategic priorities into coordinated, measurable operational plans.
• Establish and maintain administrative policies, procedures, and governance frameworks across the division.
• Resolve complex, high-stakes administrative matters that require substantial independent judgment.
• Drive enterprise-level strategic initiatives from conception through implementation.
• Represent the division in cross-functional university committees and administrative working groups.
• Monitor divisional performance against operational goals and recommend adjustments as priorities evolve.

Skills

Senior leadership

Financial acumen

HR processes

Strategic planning

Communications

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Lehigh University’s Division of Student Affairs seeks an Administrative Director to translate strategic vision into operational reality on a Bethlehem campus. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, this role provides senior administrative direction across a broad portfolio and partners with university leadership on complex initiatives.

The successful candidate will direct divisional financial planning, budget development, HR processes, and communications strategies, while ensuring