Assistant Head for Administration
Civil and Environmental Engineering
The Grainger College of Engineering
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in The Grainger College of Engineering seeks applicants for an Assistant Head for Administration. This role will serve as a member of the department's leadership team as the senior administrative and financial officer. This position is responsible for providing strategic leadership and planning regarding oversight of fiscal resources, finance functions, research administration, facilities management, and human resource management within the unit.
Duties and Responsibilities Include:
Department Leadership and Strategic Planning for Operational Excellence:
- Direct all administrative and financial operations in the department, ensuring compliance with University policies, procedures, and relevant state and federal laws and regulations in partnership with the Department Head.
- Serve as a member of the Department’s leadership team, managing/monitoring all activities for strategic plan formulation and execution, and leading all related financial planning.
- Work closely with the unit's leadership team, Dean's Office, Engineering business managers, Engineering Human Resource Shared Services (HRSS), and University administrative and business offices.
- Manage and monitor the formulation and execution of the Department’s strategic plan, designing and implementing new processes for operational excellence as needed.
- Direct and supervise professional and support staff to facilitate effective administration of finances, sponsored research, facilities, safety, and space utilization, which includes: managing responsibilities, prioritizing workloads and monitoring productivity.
- Overseeing progress of short- and long-term unit objectives and goals as part of the unit’s strategic plan.
- Serve as the departmental contact with various College and Campus Offices and Divisions including sponsored programs administration, facilities management, space utilization, and other administrative functions.
- Partner with department and college advancement staff on the management of donor funding and initiatives.
- Serve as the Department Head's designee in a variety of administrative matters with signature authority for business and HR functions.
- Serve on departmental, college, campus, and/or University committees.
Financial Administration:
- Responsible for fiscal management and control of state and federal appropriations, grants, contracts, gifts, indirect cost recovery, and self-supporting funds.
- Serve as the primary resource for budget preparation, tuition analysis and projections, and other administrative requirements.
- Implement Departmental policies and workflows for the maintenance and management of accounts, monitoring of expenditures, and budget development.
- Prepare or oversee the preparation of various ad hoc reports and analyses including financial planning, budgeting and financial forecasting to faculty and principal investigators, and college and departmental administration, as necessary.
- Lead and conduct financial analyses related to hiring plans and determining salary recommendations in partnership with the Department Head, HRSS, and the college.
- Design and implement departmental processes for operational excellence in all financial and administrative matters.
- Oversee departmental contracts and affiliation agreements within the department and subunits, ensuring University policy is followed.
- Oversee responses and participation in financial audit-related matters, both internal and external.
Sponsored Research Administration:
- Supervise the department’s sponsored research support staff and assist faculty in preparation of research-related documents, various contracts, and financial planning and forecasting as needed.
- Prepare reports and analyses relating to sponsored research, and provide approvals for grant proposals.
- Work closely with the Associate Director for Research and participate in all planning meetings related to research initiatives.
- Oversee and coordinate responses related to post-award information and compliance requests.
Human Resources Administration:
- Serve as a liaison between department and HRSS coordinator on hiring practices, performance management, and policy interpretation and implementation.
- Consult with department and HRSS on high-level HR issues: performance issues, staffing levels and employee compliance with HR policies.
- Prepare reports and analyses relating to organizational needs and HR matters.
Facilities Administration:
- Lead the strategic planning process and execution of departmental facility and lab improvements and remodeling, and day-to-day space matters, in collaboration with departmental leadership team.
- Participate in a variety of ad hoc space and facility related matters as needed.
Perform additional appropriate duties to further the mission of the department
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, engineering, science, or a related field.
- At least 5-7 years of management experience involving administration, fiscal management, personnel, sponsored research, and general organizational responsibilities within a complex organization with a time-sensitive workload.
- At least 2-3 years supervisory experience and/or human resources background.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree in business, engineering, science, or a related field.
- CPA designation.
- At least 5-7 years management experience involving strategic planning and strategic plan tracking and execution.
- Direct experience with University of Illinois business and accounting systems, as well as business processes, including HR, procurement, payables, receivables, and policies and procedures.
- Experience working with multiple sources of funds, including state, federal, gift, self-supporting, and ICR.
- Experience in facilities management in an institutional setting.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to communicate effectively with others ; excellent teamwork skills.
- Ability to exercise initiative, confidentiality, discretion, and sound independent judgment.
- Must be skilled in conflict management and resolution.
- Ability to interact effectively with faculty, students, staff, alumni and other unit stakeholders.
- Commitment to transparency and accountability.
- Strong interpersonal, collaboration and teamwork skills.
- Ability to use standard office technology and tools.
- Knowledge of and/or experience in a land-grant university system.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
This is an Academic Professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The budgeted salary range for this position is $130,000 - $160,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINE INFORMATION
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on July 22, 2026. Applications may be reviewed as they are received, interviews may also take place, but no hiring decision will be made until after the closing date. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three references. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Stacie Mertes, smertes@illinois. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.
Champaign-Urbana
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [email protected].
Requisition ID: 1036882
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu
