Department Manager (0547U) - #84444

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. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

The Department of History is rated one of the top academic programs nationally and globally. As one of the largest teaching departments in the College of Letters and Science, enrolling over 8000 students in 150 courses each year, our courses serve campus and department graduation requirements across the University.

The department is comprised of 50 tenure-track faculty, 30 emeriti, and 12 career staff. Annual hires include 15-20 visiting instructors, 10-15 visiting scholars, approximately 230 academic student employee appointments, and 30-40 casual employees. With approximately 100 graduate students, 250 undergraduate majors, and 100 minors, students in our program are able to select from a broad range of fields of study. The History department is committed to supporting a large and diverse population of students. Over the past several years, the department has seen a significant increase in graduate and undergraduate students of color.

Position Summary

The Department Manager serves as the most senior staff administrator in the History department and maintains accountability for its operations. This position is responsible for ensuring all unit operational and administrative needs are met, by completing individual functions, supporting approximately 12 staff positions of various fields in the unit, and advising and serving as staff liaison to the Chair. Administrative services include activities in finance, human resources, facilities, and student services, including interpretation of campus academic and fiscal policies for the department and developing procedures to ensure compliance. General management activities include long and short range strategic planning in determining the mission and directing all activities of a complex department through subordinate management staff.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 03/04/2026.

Responsibilities

Manages, plans and administers all administrative operations (IT, Facilities, Student Services, HR, contracts and grants, and budgetary financial management) in the department.

• Manages all fiscal matters in the department including planning the annual budget and managing all operational, instructional, and research budgets; permanent and temporary academic and staff salaries, supplies, and expense allocations, Summer Sessions and other discretionary budgets, endowment funds, grants and gifts; authorizes expenditures; maintains control of payroll and supply budgets.
• Prepares budgets and reports for spending and future needs; develops and implements methods for increasing the department's operational efficiency; recommends budgeting strategies to enhance academic performance within spending limits; develops processes and procedures to protect department assets and attain unit financial goals.
• Develops and monitors operational and budget processes, staff FTE, finance, human resources and space planning.
• Accountable for financial health of department.
• Responsible for analyzing, allocating, and effective use of all available department financial resources.

Determines and establishes organizational structures and supervisory relationships.

• Supervises HR and AP staff, Budget Officer, Student Services Manager, Operations Manager, and additional staff as added/needed.
• Hires, trains, establishes goals & objectives, develops, coaches, evaluates performance, and recommends salary actions; takes disciplinary action when necessary.
• Regularly advises senior supervisors on complex and pressing personnel situations.
• Promotes professionalism, performance management, and career development.
• Organizes the overall work of the unit; identifies and evaluates priorities; delegates or reallocates general responsibilities and specific tasks; establishes or revises operating procedures.
• Meets regularly with staff, keeps them informed of changes, policies, and procedures both in the department and across campus.
• Instills strong management practices among subordinate staff.

Provides interpretation of campus academic and fiscal policies to Chair and faculty.

• Serves as liaison to College of Letters and Science.
• Develops and implements department procedures to ensure compliance with relevant campus policies.
• Consults with Chairs and AP Analyst on academic senate cases.
• Provides counsel and support to the Chair.
• Recommends and establishes improvements to processes and changes to policies to increase unit functionality.
• Assigns, oversees and ensures completion of special projects.

Advises faculty chairs and Student Services Director on curriculum planning and scheduling for adherence to budget, HR policy, and contract compliance.

• Coordinates audit process of Temporary Academic Staffing budget and provides supporting analysis of department curricular needs to ensure all program areas and students are served.
• Oversees facility maintenance projects and develops plans for future physical space requirements in consultation with Department Chair and operations manager.

Represents the department and its needs in divisional and campus-wide meetings and discussions.

• Plans, designs, influences, and implements divisional and campus-wide processes.
• Serves as a divisional and campus resource as a member of committees devoted to business services, personnel policies, and procedures; and in collaboration with other units.

The incumbent participates in professional development activities (e.g., workshops, seminars, and conferences) which include topics such as human resources management, planning in higher education, and developing and maintaining expertise on various computer systems and computer software.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated significant successful management experience, including budget, personnel, and short- and long-term planning of a complex organization of varied professionals.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to quickly evaluate complex issues, define problems, research and analyze relevant information, assess alternative solutions, and recommend appropriate course of action.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including tact, diplomacy, flexibility, and ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with faculty, students, and staff.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to conceptualize and communicate effectively to diverse audiences; ability to edit/proofread administrative documents.
• Well-developed skills in organization and customer service to effectively manage multiple important priorities.
• Ability to set priorities; to obtain timely feedback; to lead a team of professional staff; and to work independently.
• Demonstrated management and conflict resolution skills to effectively lead and motivate others.
• Skill in management, supervision, selection, training, direction, discipline, and evaluation of support staff.
• Broad knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques, human resources policies and procedures for staff and academic employees.
• Thorough familiarity with common office software.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated significant successful experience managing an academic department, ideally on the Berkeley campus and/or similar institution.
• Broad knowledge of and/or can quickly learn the organization's processes, protocols and procedures with a focus on budget, account and fund management, rules and regulations, and mechanisms for budget, account and fund management and/or personnel management under labor contracts and personnel policy.
• Knowledge of and/or can quickly learn relevant University-specific business applications and student systems.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $140,000.00 - $175,000.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is eligible for up to 40% hybrid work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

This job is part of the Employee Referral Program. If a UC Berkeley employee is referring you, please ensure you select the Referral Source of "UCB Employee". Then enter the Employee's Name and Berkeley E-mail address in the Specific Referral Source field. Please enter only one name and email.