Job Summary/Basic Function:

Are you a collaborative, strategic problem-solver who thrives on keeping complex operations running smoothly? We are seeking a Department Manager to join our team in the Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering. In this role, you will provide leadership and coordination for all administrative, financial, and operational functions that support our students, faculty, and programs.

Our ideal candidate is a proactive and detail-oriented professional who enjoys improving processes, supporting people, and turning big-picture goals into practical systems. You’ll work closely with the Department Chair, faculty, staff, and college leadership to ensure that the department’s teaching, research, and service missions are supported with efficiency and care.

Here are a few ways you will make an impact in our department:

● Lead and coordinate departmental operations, ensuring smooth execution of academic, financial, and administrative processes.

● Manage course scheduling, curriculum coordination, and accreditation activities to support high-quality academic programs.

● Supervise and mentor a team of two professional staff members, fostering a collaborative and high-performing administrative team environment.

● Oversee financial operations, including tracking expenditures, reviewing financial reports, and approving budget requests to support strategic resource management.

● Guide faculty and staff recruitment, onboarding, and personnel workflows in collaboration with the College and Human Resources.

● Serve as a trusted partner to the Department Chair, supporting departmental communication, operational planning, policy interpretation, and organizational effectiveness.

● Lead and manage special projects that advance departmental initiatives and support long-term strategic goals.

Department Overview:

Welcome to the Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, where innovation and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to developing future engineers through high-impact research, immersive hands-on learning, and a commitment to teaching excellence. Our dedication is reflected by the high demand for our undergraduate program (top 10 in graduates at Boise State) and a tripling in research funding over the past five years. Our departmental values are centered on the development of people, a commitment to respect and belonging, acting with integrity, and building communities.  As part of our administrative leadership team, you’ll play a key role in advancing our mission and supporting a department that’s poised for continued growth and impact.

Level Scope:

Fully competent and productive professional contributor who applies acquired job skills, policies, and procedures to complete substantive assignments/projects/tasks of moderate scope and complexity. works independently with general supervision; exercises judgement within defined guidelines and practices to determine appropriate action. May provide guidance and assistance to entry level professionals and/or support employees.

Essential Functions:

90% of the Time the Department Manager will:

Academic and Program Operations

● Manage the course scheduling and curriculum coordination activities in coordination with department leadership and faculty.

● Manage the Mechanical Engineering admission to the upper-division program process to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and compliance with deadlines.

● Oversee and monitor relevant timelines for departmental reporting to ensure compliance with deadlines.

● Assist with and coordinate accreditation-related duties and serve as support for the department chair in delegating the appropriate related tasks.

● Develops, modifies, and implements policies, rules, and procedures.

● Establishes and maintains internal policies and procedures for administrative activities.

● Assists the department chair with timely and accurate operational updates to the department and college.

Human Resource Operations

● Lead the faculty and staff recruitment and onboarding process in collaboration with the Dean’s Office and Human Resources.

● Oversees personnel action workflows to ensure accurate and timely submissions of employee costing changes, data changes, separations and other relevant employee actions.

● Oversees the new hire process for part-time and student employees for departmental, research, and Graduate Assistant roles.

● Assist the Director of Personnel and Administration with the evaluation process to ensure annual deadlines are adhered to.

● Ensures the department is adhering to all federal, state, and university policies related to labor and employment laws.

Financial and Resource Management

● Manage financial operations for the department, including overseeing financial reporting and forecasting for appropriate accounts.

● Oversee travel, expense reimbursement, and purchasing processes for the department, including tracking and reviewing departmental expenditures.

● Review and approve budget requests to support strategic and fiscal priorities.

● Serve as the liaison between the COEN Business Office, Purchasing, and Finance and Administration to implement and improve processes for departmental finance tasks.

Program Development and Student Success Initiatives

● Collaborate with the Department Chair, faculty, and staff to strengthen industry relations.

● Collaborate with the Department Chair, Dean’s Office, and other COEN faculty and staff to develop and implement strategic initiatives.

● Suggest and implement process improvement opportunities to enhance student support and engagement.

● Lead or assist with departmental and college initiatives as assigned.

Personnel Management

● Responsible for managing departmental support staff as assigned.

● Evaluate and distribute the workload of direct reports to ensure department support functions are timely and collaborative.

● Complete annual evaluation for assigned employee and provide timely feedback to enhance the employee experience.

● Supervises the development and implementation of business forms, documents, and web forms.

10% of Time the Department Manager must:

Perform other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

● Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

● Proven ability to lead and develop teams.

● Knowledge of project development and management.

● Strong organization and attention to detail.

● Time management skills with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage projects and deliverables with conflicting timelines.

● Ability to interact effectively as a team member and work collaboratively with faculty and staff.

● Ability to efficiently follow and implement policies and procedures.

● Ability to work independently and make sound decisions and recommendations for the program.

● Ability to maintain confidentiality, be empathetic, and be respectful.

● Ability to take ownership and responsibility, have initiative, and be reliable.

● Ability to gather and interpret data to provide meaningful and strategic recommendations.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's and 2 years of professional experience or equivalent relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

● Experience in academic or organizational administration and operations.

● Demonstrated success in financial management, budgeting, and process improvement.

● Experience supervising staff and fostering collaborative, inclusive work environments.

● Proficiency with enterprise systems for budgeting, HR, and data reporting.

● Experience providing excellent customer service to internal and external partners.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary range is $61,000 to $73,800 annually and is commensurate with experience. Boise State University provides a best-in-class benefits package, including (but not limited to):

• 12 paid holidays AND the University is closed between Christmas and New Year's (requires use of 3 vacation days)
• Between 12-24 annual paid vacation days for full-time Professional and Classified staff depending on position type and years of service
• 10.76% University contribution to your ORP retirement fund (Professional and Faculty employees)
• 11.96% University contribution to your PERSI retirement fund (Classified employees)
• Excellent medical, dental and other health-related insurance coverages
• Tuition fee waiver benefits for employees, spouses and their dependents
• See our full benefits page for more information!

Required Application Materials:

● Resume

● Cover letter

● 3 professional references

About Us:

Nestled along the Boise River and steps from the state capitol, Boise State University fosters a vibrant and welcoming academic environment that fuels student and employee success. We’re a trailblazing institution, nationally recognized for our innovative spirit and commitment to positive impact on Idaho and beyond.

Boise State is proud to be recognized by Forbes as the only Idaho employer listed in the top 100 of all national midsize and large employers. We’re building a thriving community of faculty and staff whose unique skills, experiences, and perspectives come together to create a rich and rewarding academic experience. Applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.

Learn more about Boise State and living in Idaho’s Treasure Valley at https://www.boisestate.edu/about/