Departmental Business Manager II

Overview

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools.

With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

The Duke University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) is seeking a resourceful Departmental Business Manager II to join our administrative team. In this pivotal role, you will oversee financial operations, human resources, and departmental administration to ensure faculty, staff, and students are fully supported. You will provide leadership in managing budgets, monitoring expenditures, preparing financial analyses, and supporting departmental operations in alignment with University policies.

You will provide expert HR support, including advising on personnel matters, coordinating hiring and onboarding, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing administrative team. In partnership with department leadership, you will drive operational efficiency, streamline communication, and lead strategic initiatives that support the mission and goals of CEE.

• Oversee day-to-day financial operations in accordance with University policies, including budgeting, monitoring and reconciling expenditures across multiple funding sources, and supervising accounts payable, journal entries, corporate card administration, and purchase requisitions. Prepare financial reports and analyses to inform leadership, advise on budgetary matters, plan and develop operational budgets, and perform year-end closing activities using University systems such as SAP/R3, Buy@Duke, and iForms.
• Assist in the preparation of grant proposals and applications to include compilation of data and preparation of budget expenditures; monitor and verify expenditures; ensure compliance with University and sponsoring agency policies and procedures; prepare administrative reports for submission to sponsoring agency.
• Collaborate with the CEE Chair to optimize the department’s administrative structure, streamline communication through regular staff meetings, and supervise administrative staff to ensure effective operations, manage personnel activities, and advise faculty on employment, compensation, and HR-related matters.
• Oversee HR operations by coordinating hiring, onboarding, and personnel actions in compliance with University and federal guidelines; liaise with HR and Duke Visa Services to manage visa and employment processes; and advise departmental leadership on policies, compensation, performance, and employee development.
• Oversee daily departmental operations, ensuring adequate staffing, space, and facilities while coordinating purchasing, maintenance, and property management activities. Lead regular staff meetings, promote cross-training for operational consistency, and interpret and implement departmental policies to resolve issues and support effective decision-making.

Minimum Requirements: The role requires knowledge of business and administrative practices, including personnel management, budgeting, and general administrative coordination. These skills and experience are typically acquired through a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resource Management, or a related field, along with at least three years of related professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrating advanced knowledge of budget development, financial reporting, and year-end reconciliation processes.
• Demonstrating proficiency in HR practices including recruitment, employee relations, and performance management.
• Demonstrating experience supervising and developing administrative staff within a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

This position offers a…