Department Manager

About This Role

The Department Manager serves as the senior administrative leader for the Department of Statistics & Operations Research (STOR) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This role involves translating academic and strategic priorities into effective operational execution within a decentralized school environment, partnering closely with the Department Chair and faculty, and coordinating with centralized service units. The position supervises department-based staff and ensures departmental needs are met through proactive planning and service coordination.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior administrative leader for the department
• Translate academic and strategic priorities into effective operational execution
• Partner closely with the Department Chair and faculty
• Coordinate extensively with centralized/shared service units (Finance, HR, Sponsored Research, and Accounting)
• Ensure departmental needs are met through proactive planning, service coordination, and escalation
• Maintain accountability for outcomes despite distributed service delivery
• Supervise department-based staff, including student services and administrative personnel
• Oversee administrative functions
• Ensure consistency, compliance, and alignment with College-wide standards

Requirements

• Mid- to late-career with a Master's degree and 2-4 years of experience, or a Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of experience
• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively interact with faculty, staff, students, researchers, and other university personnel
• Ability to write precisely, clearly, and concisely and to proofread documents to eliminate all errors and ambiguities
• Analytical and reasoning abilities relevant to evaluation of complex requirements and regulations at the University, State, and Federal levels
• Experience with computerized financial reporting and analysis systems, with a thorough understanding of business computer technology
• Experience in planning, organizing, and implementing effective management systems
• Extensive financial and other management experience and/or demonstration of a high degree of competence in management of a complex organization

Nice to have:

• Working knowledge of PeopleSoft/ConnectCarolina, Infoporte, or similar systems and Adobe Acrobat XI Pro
• Knowledge of UNC policies/procedures
• Concur software
• Experience in grants management, personnel management, and academic administration
• Four years’ experience in management of administrative activities in an academic setting
• Knowledge (or willingness to learn) of how to effectively use AI in the business office setting