Assistant Head, Business & Strategic Planning, HDFS

Assistant Head, Business & Strategic Planning, HDFS
Department of Human Development and Family Studies

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

WE TRANSFORM LIVES. Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders, empowering them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.

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The Department of Human Development and Family Studies supports research, teaching, and outreach programs to understand and support thriving among children, youth, and families across diverse contexts.

Housed across four buildings, the department includes 20 faculty and more than 300 students, as well as teams of academic, outreach, and business office staff. Subunits include the Child Development Laboratory, the Family Resiliency Center, the Autism Project, and the Child Care Resource Service.

Job Summary
Represent the department as the senior financial and human resources officer. Provide strategic leadership and planning for the financial and human capital analysis functions for the Department of Human Development & Family Studies, including oversight of fiscal resources, finance functions, and human resource management within the unit. The Department has research, teaching, extension/outreach programs. In the department head's absence, represent the department regarding financial strategic planning matters. Exercise initiative, confidentiality, and independent judgment in carrying out these functions.
Administrator Managerial Responsibilities (55%)


- Oversee all financial, human resource, and administrative operations in the department and ensure that relevant state and federal laws and regulations are applied as well as University policy and procedures.


- Manage and supervise the Department's business functions (including office staff), maintaining and enhancing the strong service orientation of the office.


- Serve as the Department Head's designee in a variety of administrative matters and as the liaison to the unit, College, and Campus committees.


- Serve as the departmental Senior Administrator with various College and Campus Offices and Divisions, including facilities management, space utilization, and other administrative functions.


- Direct and supervise professional and support staff to facilitate effective and strategic administration within the department, including delegation of duties/responsibilities; prioritizing workloads to ensure deadlines are met, and urgent matters are addressed in a timely manner; monitoring productivity; and overseeing progress of short and long-term unit objectives and goals.


- Implement Departmental policies for the maintenance and management of accounts, monitor expenditures, budget development, and prepare various types of management information.


- Coordinate management of physical facilities across four buildings, and work closely with the Department Head on space administration as well as facility remodeling projects.


- Provide counsel to the department head and faculty on handling personnel issues, advise the Head and faculty on recruitment of academic and civil service staff (including OAE) policies, and provide oversight of payroll and appointment processing.


- Oversee the financial aspect of hiring new staff and determine academic salary recommendations with, and/or on behalf of, the Department Head.


- Facilitate the computer and technology needs of the department; supervise IT staff and/or student support.


- Oversee departmental contracts and affiliation agreements within the department and subunits, ensuring University policy is abided by.


- Oversee the department's inventory control.


- Work closely with the unit's leadership team, ACES business managers. ACES Human Resources and Office of Administration and Finance, and University administrative and business offices.


- Serve as Departmental Unit Security Contact (USC).


- Serve on departmental, campus and/or University committees representing HDFS.


Financial Officer Responsibilities (25%):


- Responsible for fiscal management and control of all Department funds, including state and federal appropriations, grants, contracts, gifts, indirect cost recovery, and self-supporting funds.


- Assist with the annual salary increase assignment process and oversee the salary planner for the departmental annual budget.


- Identify areas of fiscal activity that could benefit from improved processes and initiate the development and implementation of process improvements.


- Actively manage various departmental operations such as auxiliary enterprises (Child Development Laboratory), special initiatives and projects as directed.


- Serve as the primary resource for budget preparation, administrative requirements, and approvals for grant proposals.


- Prepare reports and analyses relating to budgets, grants and contracts, and human resources.


- Assist faculty in identifying funding opportunities, preparation of grants and contracts, and financial planning and forecasting.


- Function as liaison with SPA. Direct departmental-level research operations administration.


- Oversee and coordinate responses related to post-award information and compliance requests.


Human Resource Officer Responsibilities (20%)


- Manage human resources administration for the unit and subunits with the departmental activities and advise faculty and staff on such for the recruitment of academic and staff personnel and subunits within the department.


- Oversee Human Resources appointments and reappointments, employment record keeping, and searches, and serve as a Human Resource policy resource for departmental strategic planning regarding human capital.


- Analyze the human resource needs of various departmental activities and advise faculty and staff on such for the recruitment of academic and staff personnel and personnel policies, including position establishment, affirmative action policies, personnel actions of all types, and union and labor relations in conjunction with the College.


- Oversee hiring, training, and scheduling of staff in business operations.


- Oversee maintenance of leave time reporting and Family Medical Leave.


- Provide training related to business, human resource operations, and grants and contracts for faculty and staff.
Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a business-related area. At least 3 years of management experience involving administration, fiscal personnel, and general organizational responsibilities within a large and complex organization with a high volume/time-sensitive workload. Commitment to shared decision-making and experience in working collaboratively in a team environment. Significant experience in facilities management in an institutional setting. Supervisory experience and/or human resources skills. Demonstrated experience with the use of standard office technology and similar management tools.
Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's or Master's degree in business administration, accounting, or finance.
Direct experience and knowledge of the University of Illinois business and accounting systems, as well as business processes, including HR, procurement, payables, receivables, and policies and procedures.
Knowledge of and experience with multiple funding sources, including state, federal, gift, self-supporting, and ICR.
Knowledge of and/or experience in a land-grant university system.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills. Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion. Skilled in conflict management and resolution. Ability to multitask. Ability to interact effectively with faculty, students, staff, and stakeholders.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after May 15, 2026. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The budgeted salary range for this position is $90,000 - $120,000.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on April 1, 2026 . Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact the search committee chair, Leslie Alexander at [email protected]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next . Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [email protected] .

Requisition ID : 1035519
Job Category : Professional and Administrative
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