Department Manager - CVM Microbiology and Immunology

The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is seeking a dynamic and service-oriented leader who, under the general oversight of the Department Chair, will drive the business operations of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.

 

As the Department Manager you will be responsible for areas including human resources, finance, facilities, sponsored programs, academic program, instructional and technological assistance, IT services, development, and alumni and corporate relations. You will play a leadership role in developing new programs, implementing innovative and effective interdisciplinary program management, and consistent and efficient application of new and existing university and college systems, policies, and procedures in support of unique and non-traditional academic programs. This position also has a dotted line reporting relationship to the CVM’s Assistant Dean for Administration and Finance.

 

The Department of Microbiology & Immunology comprises an interactive faculty engaged in research in infectious disease and the host immune response. We study a range of pathogens, primarily viruses, bacteria and parasites, and other insults such as toxins. Our immunology interests include innate and adaptive responses to pathogenic agents, immune regulation, vaccine development, and host damage due to inflammation and autoimmunity. Our faculty members are associated with many graduate fields.

 

In this position, your duties will be extremely diverse and require conceptual and imaginative thinking in a highly complex environment.

  What you will do:

• Institute and maintain sound administrative procedures to ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance in operations and to direct long-range planning projects for the department and faculty with respect to resources, operations, and policy development.
• Assist the Department Chair in strategic planning, act as a liaison to central College and University offices, and serve as the department's point of contact for matters related to their administration and operation.
• Collaborate with the Chair on the implementation of management strategies for short and long-range fiscal and operational difficulties for the department.
• Maintain and shape the effective business and administrative operations such as Finance, Budget, Planning, HR, Information Systems, and Facilities, encompassing a broad and highly complex variety of funding sources and staff.
• Oversee development, implementation, and monitoring of the annual $20M department budget, compile data, provide insight, develop financial projections and strategies, and handle grant proposals.
• Work very closely with department faculty and finance manager to provide guidance on issues related to their grants, personnel, student (grad and undergrad), IT, and facility needs.
• Oversee the management of facilities and IT service, including personnel and/or vendor relationships with service providers.
• Serve as primary liaison to college and university financial, administrative, and HR centralized service units.
• Manage organizational efforts for an effective work environment and workforce; manage operational functions such as HR, communications, and direct supervision and mentoring of administrative staff.
• Work in partnership with the CVM Human Resources Office on all HR issues related to academic, non-academic, and student employees.Advice and assist supervisors on staffing and human resources issues.
• Provide relevant information and advice by serving as a principal resource person on academic and non-academic matters.

 

A successful incumbent has:

• Working knowledge of or the aptitude to develop insight in budgeting, Cornell accounting policies and procedures; grant and contract management; personnel policies and procedures; and conflict management.
• Customer Service Management: Knowledge of customer service priorities and ability to utilize tools and techniques for maintaining an environment where all understand and are committed to providing excellent service to internal and external customers.
• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment and navigate through ambiguous matters.
• Relationship Management: Knowledge of the techniques and the ability to establish and maintain healthy working relationships with clients, vendors, and peers. The highest standards of integrity in order to develop and maintain trust from faculty, staff, and collaborators.
• Effective Communication: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools, and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
• Managing Multiple Priorities: Knowledge of effective self-management practices and ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.
• Team Management and Team Building: Create and foster an inclusive team environment while meeting individual and unit goals in accordance with the broader mission.
• Capability to work with and represent work units professionally and ethically with tact, diplomacy, and advocacy, while creating a high quality and respectful work environment.
• Ability to build strong and sustaining strategic alliances: beyond the department, build partnerships with college, university and departmental offices and staff.

 

What do you have:

• Bachelor’s degree with three to five years related financial/business management/administrative experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability working with new developing administrative systems and computer applications.
• Advanced fluency with computer applications for financial management and reporting (e.g. MS Excel, MS Word, Brio, Kuali, and Workday).
• Excellent inquisitive and critical thinking skills along with attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong leadership skills and demonstrated experience supervising and developing staff.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to effectively partner with and engage stakeholders as well as empower a robust team environment.

 

If you have the above mentioned, great! Here are some preferred qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Seven or more years of concentrated experience in a financial office setting involving elaborate financial structures and multiple revenue sources.
• Effective financial management, budget preparation, and fiscal operations management in higher education or the public sector.
• Experience with Cornell University Contract College policies, and accounting systems, as well as working knowledge of BRIO and Workday, Kuali, and other mainframe systems.
• Experience reconciling and analyzing accounts such as grants and contracts.
• Experience in a complex academic or research setting

 

What's in it for you:

 

Cornell has been nationally recognized as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. For more information, follow the link: Benefits at Cornell.

• Collaborative and supportive environment providing the flexibility to manage and prioritize with autonomy
• Career Life Balance opportunities such as Onsite Daycare, Employee Degree Program, Adoption Assistance, Onsite Dining, Employee Wellness
• Cornell's benefits program includes comprehensive health care options, access to wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, and generous retirement contributions.
• Cornell's leave provisions include three weeks of vacation and 12 holidays: e.g., an end-of-year winter break from December 25 through January 1.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, Tuition Aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance program.

 

Working at the College of Veterinary Medicine also comes with an active Staff Council dedicated to improving the work environment and an overall welcoming community interested in helping its members be successful.

 

Who we are and what we do:

 

Located in Ithaca, N.Y, Cornell University is a bold, innovative, inclusive, and dynamic teaching and research university where staff, faculty, and students alike are challenged to make an enduring contribution to the betterment of humanity.

The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is recognized internationally as a leader in animal health, public health, biomedical research, and veterinary medical education. Ranked as one of the top veterinary colleges in the nation by US News & World Report, the College excels in providing education and advanced training that prepare veterinarians and scientists to serve society in critical roles in clinical and diagnostic veterinary medicine, public health, scientific inquiry, and public policy. Ours is a value-based organization where all employees are accountable for supporting the organization's values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity. CVM is dedicated to the creation, dissemination, and implementation of scientific knowledge to improve the health and well-being of animals and people

 

For this position, applications must include BOTH items for consideration:

• Resume/CV.
• A cover letter including a Statement of Contribution to Diversity. Any applications considered for supervisory positions at the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) must include a Statement of Contribution to Diversity describing your past, present, and/or future aspirations to promoting equity, inclusion and diversity in your career as a supervisor and/or to convey how you see these commitments continuing in your role as Administrative Manager at CVM.

 

When applying through our system, please attach your application materials (Resume/Cover Letter/CV) in either Microsoft Word or PDF format, preferably as one document.  An attached cover letter is required to be considered for this posting.  In the Experience section of your application, use the ‘Drop Files Here’ box to manually drag document(s) into your application. For a more detailed description and instructions on how to apply online please click here as an external candidate or click here if you are an internal candidate. Please note:  Cornell Employees must apply through the Internal Cornell Career site.

 

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Background check may be required.