Engineering a world of possibilities
Department Manager - Geology and Geological Engineering
The Opportunity
Are you ready to take on a dynamic leadership role in Geology and Geological Engineering? Colorado School of Mines is seeking a Department Manager to oversee operations, finances, and strategic initiatives in this pivotal in-person administrative role.
As the principal staff administrator, you'll work closely with the Department Head, driving department goals, managing budgets, supporting academic programs, and engaging in alumni outreach and fundraising. You'll also lead administrative staff and students, shaping the department's future.
Elevate your career with Mines-apply today! Learn more about the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at geology.mines.edu.
Roles and Responsibilities
Department Management (50%) - Provide leadership, oversight, coordination and execution of department operations and administrative functions. Collaborate with the DH on strategic planning as well as provide operational oversight. Provide departmental management as well as executive administration to the DH. Essential functions include:
• Partner with Human Resources (HR) to serve as the hiring manager for the department. Coordinate department searches and onboarding of new hires. Complete hiring of graduate and undergraduate students (e.g., teaching assistants, research assistants, fellows), and adjunct assignments.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and support for faculty regarding departmental and Mines policies and procedures, professional development, faculty annual evaluation, promotion and tenure and other personnel files. Maintain and apply knowledge of relevant academic processes and procedures (e.g., Handbook and Procedure Manual).
• Apply specialized knowledge of department and university metrics and reporting systems to provide analysis and data to DH for the development of strategic plans and reports (e.g., ABET).
• Actively support DH, department, CSM Foundation, the Alumni Association, and relevant department committees to enhance fund raising and donor, alumni, and industry relations.
• Support DH by scheduling appointments and doing other administrative tasks in support of work DH does for department. Provide proxy to the DH for relevant administrative functions, as appropriate.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of financial management and policies and procedures related to research grant administration, work with Office of Research Administration to ensure compliance with budget regulations with contracts.
• Provide supervision of the administrative staff and other department support positions, if applicable.
Fiscal Management, Strategic Planning and Analysis (40%) - Fiscal management, strategic planning and analysis includes authority and oversight over all departmentally managed funds. Will retain and analyze budget income and expense histories to provide information, recommendations, and
alternatives to the DH for high-level, multi-year budget planning. In consultation with DH, will make independent decisions to allocate, move, and increase or decrease funds related to budgets for operating expenses:
• Manage finances across all funding sources by applying relevant and up-to-date knowledge of fiscal processes, procedures and guidelines. Includes developing, monitoring, analyzing, forecasting, and reporting on budgets. Advise DH about spending and strategize with DH for additional resources. Work with the DH to develop an accurate and strategic annual budget request for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Maintain specialized and up-to-date knowledge of all relevant policies and procedures related to fiscal management. Maintain up to date knowledge of requirements of different types of accounts (research, foundation, auxiliary, and general funds) and know guidelines relating to allowable/non-allowable expenditures in order to advise departm nt.
Graduate and/or Undergraduate Program Management (10%) Essential functions are applying understanding of graduate and undergraduate programs and curriculum to provide support to the graduate and/or undergraduate programs. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, collaboration with faculty committees and shared student services regarding:
• Apply up-to-date knowledge of Office of Graduate Studies, Registrar, Undergraduate Program policies and procedures. Maintain working knowledge of department graduate and undergraduate curriculum requirements and changes in order to ensure efficient operation of academic programs in department. Support DH and department in working with academic units on campus.
• Work with department Graduate Admissions and Support Committee to develop, revise and implement effective processes, procedures and policies related to teaching assistants, fellows, graduate students and graduate student admission and support.
• Serve as primary liaison to the graduate and CASA offices as well as other various academic and student support departments/programs across campus.
Additional responsibilities: Perform other duties as assigned in support of department vision and mission.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
• Bachelor degree in Business Administration or related field from an accredited institution (education can be substituted with specialized experience in higher education academic departments).
• 2 years of progressive, administration experience related to project and program management and operational oversight.
• 2 years of experience with developing, monitoring and managing budgets, resource management, and financial reporting.
• Evidence of teamwork experience, relationship building, and partnership development.
• 2 plus years of supervisory experience
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong expertise in business and management computer applications and databases.
• Ability to keep abreast of general higher education trends.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with faculty, staff and students on a variety of topics.
• Ability to be sensitive to the needs and concerns of faculty, staff, and students and other members of the University in a manner that is professional, objective and easily understood.
Preferred Qualifications:
• 5 years in a management position that includes supervisory experience.
• Significant experience with Banner, Workday or other ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system.
• Experience in higher education.
• A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity of perspective.
About Mines & Golden, CO
When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.
Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines' scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 38 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2023).
Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.
At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that's manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 "Very High Activity" research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but par