University of Delaware
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which
encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women,
Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice
of Non-Discrimination can be found at
http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html
Job No: 503263
Work Type: Staff
Location: Newark, DE
Categories: Student Affairs & Services, Full Time
Pay Grade: 35E
Context of Job: Under the direction of the Vice President
for Student Life (VPSL), the Assistant Vice President for
Administration (AVP) serves as a key divisional leader responsible
for advancing the Division’s administrative strategy, resource
alignment, and operational effectiveness. As a member of the
Student Life Core Leadership Team, the AVP advises and supports the
VPSL, represents the Division in institutional conversations
related to finance, human resources, administrative operations, and
organizational effectiveness, and helps ensure divisional
priorities are supported through aligned resources, effective
systems, and clear administrative frameworks.
The AVP provides vision and leadership for the Division’s
administrative operating model by aligning financial planning,
workforce planning, shared services, administrative systems, and
operational standards with the priorities of the University and
Division. The role is responsible for strengthening systems,
structure, service expectations, and accountability across
administrative functions in a complex, multi-unit
environment.
The AVP partners closely with Core divisional leaders, the Chief of
Staff, and central partners including Finance, Human Resources,
Information Technology, Facilities Services and Campus Planning,
and other institutional offices to strengthen divisional operations
and ensure that administrative infrastructure and resource strategy
effectively support both current operations and long-term
priorities. The AVP leads through strategy, coordination, and
oversight rather than direct execution of all functional
operations.
Major Responsibilities: Strategy, Vision
& Integration
- Lead the development and implementation of divisional
administrative strategy, ensuring alignment between VPSL priorities
and the financial, space, human capital, and operational resources
required to support them
Direct long-range administrative planning to strengthen
divisional operations through sustainable financial models,
staffing structures, and administrative service delivery
systems
Steward and strengthen relationships with key campus partners
in support of divisional administrative strategy, including
Finance, Human Resources, Facilities Services and Campus Planning,
and IT
Partner with divisional leaders to align administrative
frameworks, support models, and resource strategies with the needs
of their portfolios
Fiscal, Operational & Personnel Leadership
- Lead divisional financial planning, controls, and resource
strategy, including multi-year budgeting, forecasting,
accountability measures, and advising the VPSL and divisional
leadership on financial risk, operational tradeoffs, and alignment
of resources with divisional priorities
- Oversee divisional coordination related to procurement,
contracts, financial compliance, and administrative matters in
partnership with central Finance, Auxiliary Services, and other
relevant institutional offices
Lead workforce planning, organizational design, position
management, and staffing strategy across the division, and advise
divisional leadership on organizational structure, talent strategy,
and change management in partnership with central Human
Resources
Supervise director-level and senior staff as assigned; foster
collaboration, accountability, and innovation across administrative
functions
Assessment, Innovation & Policy Development
- Design and implement shared service models and standardized
administrative processes that improve coordination, consistency,
and support across the division
- Lead process improvement and operational transformation
initiatives to strengthen efficiency, service delivery, and
organizational effectiveness
- Establish performance metrics and service expectations for
administrative functions and monitor outcomes to ensure consistent,
accountable, and effective service delivery
- Champion evidence-based decision-making and continuous
improvement across administrative functions
- Develop and advance divisional administrative policies,
standards, governance frameworks, and service expectations that
strengthen accountability, operational clarity, consistency, and
effective service delivery
General Oversight
- Oversee divisional administrative systems and leverage data to
support operational workflows, informed decision-making,
transparency, and actionable insight for the VPSL and divisional
leadership
- Partner with central IT and other institutional stakeholders to
improve system integration, automation, reporting capabilities, and
provide strategic oversight of divisional technology planning to
align technology priorities and investments with operational needs
and strategic priorities
- Provide divisional leadership for facilities coordination and
space planning in collaboration with campus partners, ensuring
alignment with divisional priorities and operational needs
- Lead divisional compliance, risk management, and administrative
governance in alignment with institutional frameworks
- Represent the Division in institutional initiatives,
committees, and partnerships related to finance, human resources,
administrative operations, and organizational effectiveness
- Partner with the Chief of Staff to ensure VPSL priorities are
supported by aligned resources, effective administrative
infrastructure, and organizational capacity, while maintaining a
clear distinction between administrative strategy and executive
coordination responsibilities
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration,
accounting/finance, public administration, Student Affairs or
related field, and eight years of progressively responsible
administrative experience, preferably in higher education,
including direct managerial, supervisory, and leadership sagacity.
Master’s degree preferred.
- Experience in Student Affairs or higher education
administration preferred
- Knowledge of university governance, accreditation, and
regulatory environments preferred
- Demonstrated experience leading large, complex organizational
functions with broad operational and financial responsibility
- Extensive experience in financial planning, budgeting, and
resource allocation
- Demonstrated success in organizational design, workforce
planning, and operational transformation
- Strong executive-level communication, decision-making, and
leadership skills
- Relevant professional certifications preferred (e.g., CPA,
SHRM-SCP, Project Management certification)
- Advanced knowledge of financial strategy, budgeting, and fiscal
management
- Advanced knowledge of human resources strategy and
organizational design
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with the
ability to translate strategy into execution
- Ability to manage risk and ensure compliance in a highly
regulated environment
- Proven ability to articulate a vision and inspire diverse
stakeholders around shared goals.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution
skills, with the ability to translate complex information into
accessible formats for various audiences.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in
the workplace and the student experience.
Working Conditions:
- High level access to confidential and sensitive
information
- Requires flexibility to support executive-level demands,
including occasional evening or weekend commitments
Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person
on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity
or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital
status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other
characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment,
educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and
scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the
Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act
of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI
and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable
statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also
prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and
sexual violence.
PI286942013
