Chief Administrative Officer - Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

$104,900 - $135,000/Yr

University of California - Irvine, CA

Full-time - Manager

Irvine, CA

10,001+ employees

Educational Services

About the position

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) plays a pivotal role in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at UC Irvine's Henry Samueli School of Engineering. This position is responsible for overseeing a wide range of administrative functions, including financial management, personnel affairs, student support, facilities management, and research operations. The CAO will report directly to the Department Chair and will also have a dotted reporting line to the Senior Assistant Dean/Chief of Staff. This dual reporting structure emphasizes the importance of collaboration and communication within the department and the broader university context. In this leadership role, the CAO will manage a diverse administrative team that supports instructional labs, financial operations, and graduate student services. The complexity of the management functions requires a deep understanding of the department's teaching, research, and outreach initiatives. The CAO is expected to exercise initiative and sound leadership, adhering to university policies while striving to meet departmental goals. This includes developing innovative solutions to challenges, acting as an administrative liaison, and participating in various campus and departmental committees. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong professional ethics, tact, and diplomacy, particularly when addressing sensitive and complex issues. The CAO will be instrumental in fostering a collaborative environment that promotes diversity and inclusion, ensuring that the department's operations align with the university's mission and values. This role is not only about managing current operations but also about strategically planning for the future, assessing needs, and implementing best practices to enhance the department's effectiveness and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in the management of financial, personnel, student affairs, facilities, administrative, and research operations for the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
• Oversee an administrative team including instructional lab support, financial and business operations, personnel management, and graduate student support.
• Develop and implement innovative solutions to resolve complex issues within the department.
• Act as an administrative liaison for the department and participate in various campus and departmental committees.
• Model strong professional ethics and exercise tact and diplomacy in handling sensitive matters.
• Collaborate with other locations and maintain confidentiality while managing complex issues.
• Evaluate complex issues and identify multiple options for resolution.
• Lead and motivate staff, applying successful management principles and practices.
• Plan, analyze, and manage diverse fields such as organizational growth, policy, and workflow systems.
• Develop quantitative and qualitative methodologies to solve complex problems.

Requirements

• Proven leadership abilities to establish department goals and motivate others.
• Demonstrated management ability to direct and supervise professional and staff positions.
• Broad knowledge of budget, account, and fund management, as well as personnel management under labor contracts.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence all levels of staff.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including tact, diplomacy, and flexibility.
• Proven problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Skills in organization and customer service to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Broad knowledge of administrative computing and the ability to assess support needs.
• Demonstrated experience in utilizing good judgment and discretion in complex situations.
• Ability to view planning and operational issues comprehensively, considering long-term consequences.
• Demonstrated management and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience in planning and managing organizational growth and development.
• Ability to develop methodologies and evaluative criteria for problem-solving.
• Proven ability to function effectively in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Demonstrated high-level skills in supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Knowledge of student affairs functions and educational support systems.
• Experience with process improvement initiatives and administrative best practices.
• Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• 10+ years of management experience in an academic department.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in higher education administration.
• Familiarity with research funding and grant management.
• Knowledge of compliance and regulatory issues in an academic setting.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Sick and vacation time
• Retirement savings plans
• Access to discounts and perks