Department Manager Plant & Microbial Biology (7378U) 87325
About Berkeley
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff. As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual,…
economic, and social value. We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice.
Departmental Overview
The Department of Plant & Microbial Biology (PMB) at UC Berkeley consistently ranks among the top institutions worldwide for research and training in plant biology and microbiology.
The Department of Plant & Microbial Biology is committed to the University of California's mission of dedicated research and to providing a superior education in plant biology, microbiology, and related life sciences.
We integrate fast-changing technology and developments into our research and develop collaborative partnerships with other scientists and research institutions at UC Berkeley and around the world.
Position Summary
The Department Manager, Plant & Microbial Biology, manages, performs, or coordinates the administrative services of the Department of Plant & Microbial Biology (PMB). This position oversees activities in finance, human resources, IT, facilities, and graduate and undergraduate student services. The Department Manager, Plant & Microbial Biology, provides general management by conducting long- and short-range strategic planning to determine the mission and by directing all departmental activities through subordinate and centralized services staff.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: July 21, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.
Responsibilities
- Manages, plans and administers or coordinates all administrative functions of the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology (PMB). Administrative services: PMB Department Office operations, web & communications, facilities, student services, laboratories, scientific teaching facilities, space and safety, budgetary financial management, purchasing and reimbursements.
- Coordinate PMB's interactions with affiliated centers and research units.
- Serve as PMB's chief liaison to Berkeley Regional Services and RCNR Deans office staff.
- Manage departmental programs and needs, such as seminar series, hiring of lecturers, and hiring/start-up for new faculty.
- Prepare departmental reports, e.g., TAS budget, campus space surveys, business continuity plans.
- Supervise PMB Department administrative staff as well as the RCNR Teaching Laboratories and living micro-organism collection scientific staffs and space, serving both PMB and the Department of Metabolic Biology & Nutrition.
- Manage the hiring and onboarding of new staff.
- Work with the chairs to provide leadership and strategic planning for the department, including budget and space allocation, department staff structure and functions, anticipating/solving complex and sensitive issues, coordinating faculty committee assignments, and enacting the department's strategic plan.
- Develops short and long range planning for administrative services operations and improvement to processes.
- Establishes and recommends change to policies which affect the department.
- Develops and prepares complex budgets with multiple funding sources including grants, general appropriations, and philanthropic funds, and applies advanced concepts to perform analysis to determine future resource allocations.
- Prepares budget reports.
- In coordination with RCNR Development and College Relations group and others, develop and manage departmental outreach programs to community, emeriti, alumni and potential donors.
- Develop/coordinate efforts to reach out to potential philanthropic foundations and industry.
- Coordinate faculty HR actions/issues in partnership with the RCNR Academic Personnel Analyst and the Chairs.
- Act as a conduit/sounding board for the faculty and Chairs on HR issues.
- Support the faculty and lecturer hiring processes.
- In coordination with the Chairs, plans and coordinates startup, lab setup, and new faculty/lecturer onboarding.
- Plans for physical plant rehabilitation and renovation.
- Coordinate equipment purchases funded by the PMB department.
- Coordinate space and shared equipment use and safety programs for the department, including lab moves and closeouts.
- Coordinate planning for academic programs with faculty, chairs.
- Assess needs based on resources and requirements, make recommendations to chairs.
- Work with the chairs, faculty teaching leadership, the RCNR undergraduate office, and PMB staff to coordinate teaching assignments, lecturer searches, course scheduling, course evaluations, and curriculum changes.
- Coordinate and oversee the completion of large-scale, high-priority projects such as academic program reviews, outreach efforts, or grant and contract proposals involving a diverse and/or wide variety of funding sources and agencies, e.g., equipment grants, training grants.
- Represents the department on business affairs to the institution community and serves on departmental, college, and campus committees.
Required Qualifications
- Ability to gain advanced knowledge of University rules and regulations, processes, protocols, and procedures for budget, accounting, and fund management, and / or personnel management, and/or the ability to learn.
- Advanced interpersonal skills, including verbal and written communication, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising, and counseling skills.
- Advanced knowledge of a variety of administrative operational activities such as event planning, basic fundraising processes, risk management planning, website design, accounting and payroll, and contracts and grants regulations and guidelines.
- Demonstrated ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
- Advanced skills in short- and long-term strategic planning, analysis, problem-solving and customer service.
- Advanced knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques, and / or human resources policies and procedures for staff and academic employees and/or the ability to learn.
- Advanced knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs and/or the ability to learn.
Education / Training
Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
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