"Chief Administrative Officer, Institute for Disability Empowerment and Advocacy (IDEA) – Education"

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Chief Administrative Officer provides strategic and operational leadership for the administrative, financial, and organizational functions supporting the division’s mission and goals. This position ensures the effective management of budgets, personnel, policies, and resources, while promoting efficiency, accountability, and collaboration across all units. The Chief Administrative Officer serves as a senior advisor to executive leadership, translating institutional priorities into actionable plans and measurable outcomes. They oversee administrative operations to ensure alignment with University policies, compliance standards, and best practices in higher education administration.

The Chief Administrative Officer provides cohesive administrative and operational leadership across the Institute and the University, ensuring that financial management, human resources, policy implementation, and strategic initiatives are effectively aligned and executed. As the Institute is newly created, the scope, the complexity, and the need for a senior-level administrator to coordinate cross-unit operations, manage resources, and support data-informed decision-making are essential. The Chief Administrative Officer will establish consistent systems and processes to improve efficiency, accountability, and communication, allowing executive leadership to focus on advancing the division’s strategic and mission-driven priorities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategic Leadership and Vision: Provides executive-level direction for the division’s administrative operations, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and compliance with University policies. Oversees the development, implementation, and execution of strategic plans, organizational structures, and process improvements that enhance effectiveness and efficiency across all units.
• Human Resources and Talent Management: Oversees personnel administration for the division, including hiring, onboarding, professional development, and performance management. Partners with Human Resources to promote a supportive, equitable, and high-performing work environment.
• Financial Planning and Resource Management: Responsible for Development, management, and monitor divisional budgets, financial forecasts, and resource allocation models. Ensures sound fiscal practices, transparent reporting, and data-driven decision-making in collaboration with senior leadership and central administration.
• Policy, Compliance and Risk Management: Develops, interprets, and enforces administrative policies and procedures to ensure compliance with University, state, and federal regulations. Identifies operational risks and implements strategies to mitigate them.
• Communication and Collaboration: Facilitates cross-unit communication, promotes transparency, and fosters collaboration between administrative and programmatic areas. Serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, providing clear and actionable recommendations.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Performs other related tasks and special projects to support the division’s goals and operational excellence.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervises work of others, including planning, assigning and scheduling work, reviewing work and ensuring quality standards, training staff and overseeing their productivity. May offer recommendations for hiring, termination and pay adjustments, but does not have responsibility for making these decisions.

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Social Work, Education, or Liberal Arts from an accredited institution.

A minimum of 5 to 8 years of progressively responsible experience in administrative, financial, or operational management within higher education, nonprofit, or similarly complex organizational settings is required. Experience should include strategic planning, budgeting, personnel supervision, and policy development at a senior leadership level. The role requires a demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional teams, optimize administrative systems, and align resources with institutional priorities. Experience working in collaboration with executive leadership, managing change, and implementing data-informed decision-making processes is essential for success in this position.

Preferred qualifications:

Master’s degree (MBA or MPA) in from an accredited institution.

Alternately, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Leadership and Strategic Management: Proven ability to lead complex administrative functions, set priorities, and guide teams toward achieving institutional and divisional goals.
• Financial and Analytical Expertise: Strong understanding of budgeting, financial forecasting, and data analysis to support effective decision-making and resource allocation.
• Organizational and Project Management: Exceptional planning and coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to convey complex information clearly and build trust across diverse audiences.
• Collaboration and Relationship Building: Demonstrated success in fostering cooperative working relationships across departments and levels of leadership to advance shared objectives.
• Human Resources and Talent Development: Knowledge of HR best practices, including recruitment, performance management, professional development, and employee engagement.
• Policy and Compliance Knowledge: Understanding of institutional governance, risk management, and compliance requirements within higher education or comparable sectors.
• Adaptability and Initiative: Ability to anticipate challenges, respond to evolving priorities, and implement proactive solutions in a dynamic environment.
• Technology and Systems Proficiency: Familiarity with enterprise systems, data management tools, and technology solutions that improve administrative operations and decision support.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.
• Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University. The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Salary: Commensurate with experience
Benefits: Generous benefits include paid time off including holidays and vacation, retirement match, and tuition remission for employee and dependents. Details at www.duq.edu/benefits
Location: Education
Position Status: Full-time
Hours: Varied
Position Number: 223552/10-1135
FLSA Status: Exempt