Department Manager, Physics

Reporting to the Department Head (DH) of Physics, the Department Manager works independently and in collaboration with the Department Head and the Associate Department Head (ADH) on planning, coordinating, implementing, and assessing strategic objectives to achieve the mission and vision of the Physics Department and the Colorado School of Mines.

The Department Manager is responsible for (a) efficient management of department operations, (b) fiscal management, strategic planning, and analysis of all department funds, (c) oversight of the management of the graduate and undergraduate programs, including supporting outreach efforts, (d) supervision of other administrative staff and students in the department, (e) other duties as assigned.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Department Management(50% - essential)

Provide leadership, oversight, coordination and execution of department operations, and administrative functions. Collaborate with the DH on strategic planning as well as provide operational oversight. Provide departmental management as well as administration support to the DH. Supervision of the program assistant role.

Fiscal Management, Strategic Planning and Analysis (30% - essential)

Fiscal management, strategic planning, and analysis includes responsibility and oversight over all departmentally managed funds. This position will analyze budget income and expense histories to provide information, recommendations, and alternatives to the DH for high-level, multi-year budget planning.

Academic Program Management (20% - essential)

Apply understanding of undergraduate and graduate programs and curriculum to provide support to the graduate program committee and graduate students directly and supervise the support of the undergraduate programs (Physics introductory sequence, Physics curriculum and Quantum Systems Engineering curriculum) via the Program Assistant.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (education can be substituted with specialized experience in higher education academic departments on a year-for-year basis).

• At least two years of progressive, administrative and operational support experience related to project and program management and operational oversight.

• At least two years of experience with developing, monitoring and managing budgets, resource management, and financial reporting.

• A successful track record of working across multiple teams, relationship building, and partnership development.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• Strong expertise in business and management, computer applications and databases.

• Ability to keep abreast of general higher education trends.

• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with faculty, staff and students on a variety of topics.

• Ability to be sensitive to the needs and concerns of faculty, staff, and students and other members of the University in a manner that is professional, objective and easily understood.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least five years in an administrative and operational support management position that includes supervision of professional staff

• Significant experience with Banner, Workday, Tableau, or other ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems and tools.

• Prior professional experience in higher education.
  

Total Rewards

Salary: Rate of $70,000 to $73,500 annually

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Benefits: Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options

• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for the entire campus.

• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution

• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)

• Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state-of-the-art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on-campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply
Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status) and:

• Upload a resume or CV (REQUIRED)

• Upload a cover letter (REQUIRED)
  

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs.Please note: References will not be contacted until later in the selection process, and you will be informed before that contact is made.This posting will remain open until June 22, 2026, but may close without notice or be extended as needed. For best consideration, apply soon. Contact Kathleen Feighny in HR at kfeighny@mines.edu​ with any questions.