Associate Director
Position Description Performs administrative duties in the management and coordination of a large specialized project and program. Under general supervision, performs varied and complex administrative duties requiring independent judgment and the application of established policies and procedures. May provide supervision and direction to clerical, paraprofessional or professional staff members.
About the University Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School. The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world. About Lubbock:Referred to as the "Hub City" because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock's Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.
About the Department and/or College The Department of Animal and Food Sciences (https://www.depts.ttu.edu/afs/) in the Davis college of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources exists to address the challenges of a growing and changing world. We tackle these challenges by empowering students, advancing discovery, and disseminating knowledge. Our core values (to elevate others, foster discovery, pursue excellence, and value people) define our culture and those we seek to hire. The department has a tradition of student success and experiential learning through curriculum taught by faculty who are dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and engagement. Innovative creativity to address regional issues with global implications, while engaging with external community members through citizenship, are also hallmarks of the program. The department is housed in a modern research and teaching facility and is supported by several off-campus units (Equestrian Center, Equine Therapeutic Riding Teaching and Research Center, Grantham Companion Animal Research Facility, and an Agricultural Field Laboratory with canine, sheep/goat, swine, beef cattle, Burnett Center, and feed mill units). There are approximately 30 full-time faculty and another 30 full-time staff positions in the department. The department has experienced sustained growth in student enrollment for more than a decade and is comprised of more than 1,450 undergraduate and graduate students.
Davis College is home to six departments and eight research centers and institutes, including the International Center for Food Industry Excellence in AFS. In the fall of 2023, Davis College had 2,747 undergraduate students, 519 graduate students, 111 tenure-track faculty, 30 non-tenure track faculty, and 169 support staff. Faculty in Davis College generated approximately $16 million in extramural funding to support research, teaching, and outreach and engagement missions.
Major/Essential Functions Finance The successful candidate will be responsible for carrying out the day-to-day financial operations and financial planning functions for the Department of Animal and Food Sciences. Budgetary management responsibilities include monthly reporting and analysis, quarterly reporting to the Senior Director of Finance in the Davis College, and long-range forecasting, as well as oversight for the annual budget planning for the department and departmental operating units and auxiliaries. The associate director will collaborate between the Davis College Senior Director of Finance and AFS business staff to ensure monthly reconciliation of accounts and payroll verification for all research and departmental accounts. This position is critical to the annual budget process, including consultation with the department chairperson in preparation of the budget and review of the budget submission for substantive and mechanical accuracy.
In addition, the position is responsible for managing the fiscal operations functions including procurement, procurement card reconciliation, travel and expense management, and payroll/personnel administration. Financial management responsibilities include budget support, forecasting, data mining and monthly financial reporting. Duties include management of differential tuition, special instruction fees, annual endowment reporting, management of new faculty startup packages.
Human Resources The candidate will oversee human resources processes in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences to ensure faculty and staff recruiting and hiring procedures are consistent with university requirements and efficient. The candidate will serve as Supervisor or Next Level Supervisor for most classified and non-classed positions in the Department, except for Directors (and other, higher-ranking staff positions). The candidate will work to enhance employee professional development through provision of training and communication regarding university and departmental policies and procedures. The candidate will achieve these goals through management of employee on-boarding, departmental staff annual evaluation, and other intervals as needed. This individual will manage all aspects of the faculty recruiting process. They will work closely with the department chair and search committee chair to meet all university requirements during development of position descriptions, candidate interview, offer, negotiations, and administration of faculty start up.
Administration This position will also provide administrative support to the department chair and associate chair through management of the chair's calendar, a departmental calendar, email distribution lists, online directories, as well as an accurate and relevant roster of faculty and staff. Additionally, the associate director will help prepare agendas, attend faculty (and staff) meetings to record meeting minutes for perpetuity. It is also expected that all correspondence made on behalf of the chair will be composed professionally, accurately, and grammatically correct. As needed, the associate director will research, compile, and prepare information for reports, presentations, or other information required of the department and/or department chair. The associate director may also assist the chair and associate chair with travel arrangements, including the preparation of travel applications and vouchers. The position will also support essential organizational functions related to departmental leadership. Duties include but are not limited to office space assignments, coordinate office furniture procurement, manage telecommunication set up/moves, submit key requests, and manage room requests.
Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in the area of specialization or closely related field. Four years of related administrative and technical experience. Additional job related education may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree.
- Knowledge of University financial systems and operational policies. Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and an understanding of university policies and procedures related to human resources a plus.
- Experience managing performance reviews and evaluations, as well as implementing HR policies and serving as a resource for staff. Ability to assess general IT needs, allocate financial resources for IT and communicate/liaise with Business Services and/or University IT for support.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively use technology, including Microsoft Word and Excel, and ability to quickly learn new technology.
Safety Information Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.
Occasional Duties The associate director will also serve as the Emergency Action Coordinator. Maintain current emergency contact information for the department, attend emergency management meetings, and comply with safety policies and procedures. The associate director will also work with departmental leadership to plan special department events, such as graduation, recognition banquets, development activities/fund raisers, and alumni events.
Does this position work in a research laboratory? No
Required Attachments Cover Letter, Professional/Personal References, Resume / CV
Pay Statement Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan. For additional information, please reference the institutional pay plan by visiting www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/payplan.
Job Group First line Managers
EEO Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.
|