Program Director

Duke University:

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.

Occupational Summary

The Program Director is responsible for managing the overall administration of the Political Science Department, including financial planning and operations, coordination of special initiatives such as speaker and lecture series, oversight of publications, and organization of conferences and events to ensure the successful achievement of program objectives.

Worked Performed  

Financial Planning and Administrative Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight of departmental financial operations, ensuring compliance with University and Trinity Finance policies.
• Develop and manage the department’s annual budget; analyze historical data and future objectives to inform budgetary recommendations.
• Prepare and interpret financial and operational reports; identify trends and advise leadership on fiscal strategies.
• Serve as a key advisor to the department chair on budget planning, resource allocation, and financial priorities.
• Approve and oversee financial transactions, including expenditures, reimbursements, procurement card activity, and journal entries; ensure accurate account reconciliation.
• Direct payroll administration for monthly, biweekly, and stipend employees; monitor effort certification and ensure compliance with University policies.
• Act as primary liaison to Trinity Finance and HR for all finance, payroll, and policy-related matters.

Departmental Operations and Facilities Management 

• Develop and implement departmental policies and procedures in alignment with University standards; provide operational guidance to the chair and staff.
• Oversee the management of department facilities, including space assignments, renovations, and maintenance; coordinate with University Facilities as needed.
• Direct technology and communications initiatives, including oversight of the departmental website and digital platforms.
• Manage procurement and inventory for office equipment and supplies.
• Administer specialized departmental programs, such as the annual creative writing scholarship process, ensuring adherence to guidelines and timely execution.

Staff and Workflow Leadership 

• Lead departmental staffing strategy, including recruitment, onboarding, training, and professional development.
• Establish performance expectations, conduct evaluations, and manage goal-setting and performance improvement processes in collaboration with school HR.
• Oversee staff scheduling, time reporting, and leave approvals; ensure accurate payroll documentation.
• Manage temporary and support staff hiring, ensuring compliance with University hiring protocols.
• Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing work culture focused on service excellence.

Executive Support to the Department Chair

• Provide high-level administrative support to the department chair, including calendar management, meeting preparation, and special projects.
• Prepare and maintain confidential faculty documents, including contracts, leave requests, and evaluation materials.
• Coordinate faculty recruitment processes, including applicant tracking (AJO), compliance with hiring policies, and timeline management.
• Monitor departmental initiatives, deadlines, and policy changes; keep leadership informed and provide recommendations as needed.

Faculty and Graduate Student Administrative Management 

• Serve as primary administrative resource for faculty and graduate students, providing guidance on University and departmental policies.
• Manage appointment, promotion, and tenure (APT) processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance with institutional timelines.
• Oversee independent study processes, policy adherence, and compensation for non-regular rank faculty.
• Coordinate onboarding for new faculty and graduate students, including hiring documentation, orientation, and workspace preparation.

Other Duties as Assigned 

• Perform additional administrative tasks and responsibilities as directed to support departmental and institutional priorities.

Anticipated Pay Range

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $61,535.00 to USD $95,880.00  Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your pay check.  Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/ or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Work requires communications, analytical and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.

Experience: Work requires the ability to plan and administer programs and direct program activities within a specific functional area, generally acquired through four years of related experience.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Skills:

• Basic knowledge of general accounting
• Ability to establish procedures and interpret policies
• Excellent command of written and verbal English
• Proficiency in Excel and Word
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Supervisory or management experience
• Excellent customer service orientation

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends onthe robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.