Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The Business Administrator reports directly to the head of a large unit and serves as a key partner over multiple strategic, tactical, and/or operational functions including, but not limited to, strategic planning, marketing, communications, major events, administrative service operations, policy compliance, data analytics, and project management; serves as the liaison between the unit head and central work streams for information technology, budget and finance, procurement, and human resources; implements unit-wide projects including establishing and communicating the strategic mission and initiating and monitoring unit-specific initiatives; represents the unit within the university on committees and other strategic planning activities; develops and implements policies and procedures and recommends changes to improve performance specific to the unit’s mission.

• Represent the unit head through day-to-day oversight of operations for an administrative or academic unit
• Lead the strategic planning process and contribute to the financial identification of strategic priorities; ensure the unit’s goals and priorities align with the overall university strategic plan
• Ensure adherence to policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements; develop and implement policies and procedures; conduct regular audits to mitigate risk
• Lead high-priority projects, events, and programs in support of strategic goals, utilizing project management best practices
• Identify areas for process improvement within the executive office and the broader unit, implementing best practices to enhance productivity; ensure alignment across departments
• Oversee communications, marketing efforts, data analysis, and reporting for the unit
• Foster strong relationships with faculty, staff, and students to understand their needs and provide responsive and efficient customer service; collect and analyze feedback to inform decision making
• Oversee the planning and usage of work unit facilities; serve as a liaison with the Office of Physical Plant (OPP) for facilities maintenance, repairs, and alterations
• Serve as a liaison with the unit’s Human Resources team and participate in the overall workforce planning strategy
• Work with the unit’s Financial Officer to coordinate budget development and financial analyses for strategic planning
• Represent the unit head in financial meetings to review general and restricted budget expenditures
• Collaborate with Penn State IT for information technology needs and services
• Serve as the unit’s point of contact for safety and security programs
• Participate in the development and implementation of emergency planning and risk management
• May represent the unit head in development and alumni relations efforts, working closely with the Division of Development and Alumni Relations
• Direct, coach, supervise and evaluate assigned staff

Level:

– Senior Manager

Base Description:

– Manages direct reports where primary duty is the management of a working unit.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates advanced skills in critical functions related to unit's success. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of emerging technologies and processes. Monitors completed work of others to ensure effectiveness and adherence to requirements. Sets clear expectations and holds team accountable. Establishes a shared team/unit vision. Demonstrates ability to evaluate and enhance team/unit practices that promote a strong commitment to inclusionary practices. Coaches others using appropriate strategies. Demonstrates diplomacy. Demonstrates ability to serve as liaison between senior-level management and staff. Resolves complex, controversial, or unprecedented issues and problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Oversees large team or teams of individual contributors and/or supervisors/managers
– Leads a department or functional area

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Monitors and tracks large budgets
– Plans, forecasts, and/or develops budgets
– May approve budgets for specific area
– Typically has final signature authority for specific area

Problem Solving:

– Encounters highly varied and complex problems that impacts the team and possibly the unit
– Develops creative and/or novel approaches to resolve problems that are difficult in nature
– Independently resolves complex and/or unprecedented issues and problems

Independence of Action:

– Work results are not clearly defined
– Generally sets own goals and determines how to accomplish results with few or no guidelines to follow
– Monitors completed work of others to ensure soundness of approach, effectiveness of meeting requirements, the feasibility of recommendations and adherences to requirements
– Delegates more advanced tasks to others

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and various areas across the University
– Fosters collaboration between units and engages others' coordinated efforts to reach desired outcomes with broad scope

• Comp Grade – 15
• Minimum – $109,300.00
• MidPoint – $136,600.00
• Maximum – $164,000.00