DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATOR, College of Arts & Sciences, Sociology

Tracking Code0940Job Description

The Department of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences at Boston University seeks a Department Administrator (DA). The Sociology DA plays a vital role in managing and cultivating the success of our growing and dynamic department, which includes tenured and tenure-track faculty, lecturers, affiliate faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate majors and minors. Our faculty contains award-winning researchers and teachers; both our graduate and undergraduate students frequently embark on their own research and contribute to the vitality of the department.

We seek a DA who will thrive in this lively intellectual environment, and who will help us meet departmental goals related to education, research, diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement. The DA manages and oversees the departmental budget, including faculty research accounts, department endowment funds, and doctoral student funding as well as providing faculty and graduate students with support on grant application and management. They also oversee personnel matters, such as faculty appointments and promotions, faculty and staff payroll, and part-time lecturer, affiliate faculty, and visiting scholar appointments. The DA acts as liaison with International Students and Scholars Office on visa-related administration; oversees the graduate program administration in collaboration with the Director of Graduate Studies; and supervises our Senior Program Coordinator and student workers. Finally, the DA works closely with the Department Chair and the rest of the department staff to manage the day-to-day administration of BU Sociology.

Essential Functions:

• Provide support for the Department Chair, including with administrative paperwork, and scheduling of administrative matters.
• Oversee and execute all department sourcing and procurement needs, which include assisting with faculty purchasing and travel needs; setting up contract with external vendors; tracking and monitoring payments, etc.
• Work closely with the departments Director of Graduate Studies to oversee the graduate program administration (admissions, teaching placements, funding, academic progress, etc.).
• Supervise the departments Senior Program Coordinator and student workers.
• Oversee personnel matters, such as faculty promotions and appointments, and staff payroll, and visiting research appointments.
• Handle day-to-day administration of department operations, which include physical space management and renovations as well as equipment maintenance.
• Manage departmental budget and finances, including faculty grants, research accounts, and endowed funds.
• With the support of the Center for Innovation in Social Science (CISS) and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), assist with grants, including final formatting of materials prior to submission and monitoring flow of documents from internal and external partners.
• Liaise with the Office of International Students and Scholars on visa-related administration for faculty, scholars, and graduate students.

Required Skills

A cover letter is required for consideration.

• Bachelors degree required with 3 years of experience, preferably in higher education
• Strong organization and communications skills
• Experience with budget and finances preferred, as well as with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe.

We also seek a DA who embodies our values:

• Teamwork and mutual respect
• Diversity, equity, inclusion
• Community building
• Cultivating intellectual curiosity and growth

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty, will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption (instructions). For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit the Back2BU site.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Job LocationBOSTON, Massachusetts, United StatesPosition TypeFull-Time/Regular