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:

– Principal Manager

Base Description:

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

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates awareness of broad issues and management trends. Applies exemplary management principles. Evaluates impact of policy and adjusts accordingly. Ensures appropriate skills are developed and maintained within team/unit. Realigns staff responsibilities to meet desired changes. Provides administrative and policy direction. Develops and articulates broad goals. Fosters collaboration between units. Engages in written and verbal communications that reach a university-wide and/or broad external audience. Develops and implements solutions to highly complex and often controversial problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Oversees teams of other supervisors/managers
– Leads a business unit

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Plans, forecasts, develops, and/or approves budgets
– Typically has final signature authority for business unit

Problem Solving:

– Encounters highly varied and complex problems that may have a significant impact on multiple units and/or the University
– Regularly develops creative and/or novel approaches to resolve the most difficult problems
– Creates an environment that encourages imaginative solutions to problems

Independence of Action:

– Work results are not clearly defined and may be frequently changing
– Sets own goals and determines how to accomplish results with few or no guidelines to follow
– Oversees completed work of others and is accountable for unit results
– Delegates advanced tasks to others and provides guidance to team members

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– May represent the University externally
– Collaborates closely with team members and other leaders across the University
– Communicates a compelling vision that inspires and motivates others

• Comp Grade – 17
• Minimum – $141,700.00
• MidPoint – $180,700.00
• Maximum – $219,600.00