Manager Jobs in Higher Education

🎓 What is a Manager in Higher Education?

A manager in higher education, often referred to as a higher education administrator or university operations manager, plays a pivotal role in the non-academic side of colleges, universities, and research institutions. This position involves overseeing teams, resources, and processes to support the core missions of teaching, research, and community engagement. Unlike faculty roles centered on lecturing or scholarly work, manager jobs focus on operational efficiency, strategic implementation, and leadership in areas like student services, facilities, research administration, or academic departments.

The definition of a higher education manager encompasses professionals who bridge administrative needs with academic goals. For instance, a department manager might coordinate staff schedules, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with institutional policies. These roles have evolved historically since the mid-20th century, as universities expanded post-World War II, requiring specialized management to handle growing complexity, bureaucracy, and funding demands. Today, manager positions are essential for fostering environments where innovation thrives.

Key Responsibilities of Higher Education Managers

Higher education managers handle diverse duties tailored to their specialty. Common tasks include:

• Leading teams of staff and coordinating daily operations.
• Developing and monitoring budgets, often in the range of hundreds of thousands for departmental needs.
• Implementing policies and ensuring regulatory compliance, such as data protection or accreditation standards.
• Facilitating communication between faculty, students, and external stakeholders.
• Managing projects, from event planning to facility upgrades.

In research-intensive settings, managers might oversee grant portfolios or lab safety protocols, directly impacting project success.

Required Qualifications, Experience, and Skills for Manager Jobs

To secure manager jobs in higher education, candidates need a solid foundation. Required academic qualifications typically start with a bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, education, or a related field. Many positions prefer advanced degrees like a master's in higher education administration, an MBA (Master of Business Administration), or an MEd (Master of Education). A PhD is uncommon unless the role involves academic leadership.

Research focus or expertise is secondary but beneficial in specialized areas, such as research office management where knowledge of funding bodies like NSF (National Science Foundation) proves valuable. Preferred experience includes 3-7 years in administrative roles, with proven supervisory duties, successful project delivery, and familiarity with higher education systems. Publications or grant management experience enhances competitiveness, particularly in research-oriented manager positions.

Essential skills and competencies encompass:

• Strong leadership and team-building abilities.
• Financial acumen for budgeting and forecasting.
• Excellent communication for reports and negotiations.
• Strategic planning and problem-solving under pressure.
• Proficiency in software like ERP systems or data analytics tools.

Actionable advice: Pursue certifications such as the Certified Manager (CM) credential and join associations like the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) for networking.

Building a Career in Higher Education Management

Career progression often begins in entry-level coordinator positions, advancing through demonstrated results. Tailor your application with a strong academic CV highlighting quantifiable achievements, like reducing operational costs by 15%. Explore administration jobs or higher ed admin roles for entry points. Globally, opportunities abound, including unique manager jobs in international research programs. For example, in extreme environments like Antarctic stations operated by university-affiliated groups, logistics managers ensure supply chains and safety protocols in sub-zero conditions, blending higher ed oversight with scientific support.

Salaries reflect experience and location; in the US, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median of $99,040 for postsecondary administrators in 2023, with higher figures in executive tracks.

Key Definitions

MBA (Master of Business Administration): A graduate degree focusing on management principles, leadership, and business strategy, highly valued for administrative roles.

Higher Education Administration: The field encompassing the management of university operations, policies, and support services to enable academic excellence.

Postsecondary Education Administrators: Professionals, including managers, who oversee colleges and universities beyond teaching faculty.

Find Manager Jobs in Higher Education

Ready to step into a leadership role? Browse openings on higher ed jobs platforms, gain insights from higher ed career advice, search university jobs, or if you're an employer, post a job to attract top talent. Positions in executive higher ed jobs offer further advancement.