Job Details

Department Manager, Physics

Colorado School of Mines


Salary: $70,000.00 - $73,500.00 Annually

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: JR108665

Location: Denver Metro, CO

Department Information


About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines' scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that's manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 "Very High Activity" research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world's problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a diverse community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Description of Job


Lead Administrative Manager for Physics Department

Ready to play a pivotal leadership role at a world-class research university? The Colorado School of Mines is seeking a dynamic and strategic Department Manager to power the success of our Physics Department.

As the department's principal administrative leader, you'll be on the team at the heart of operations-driving strategy, enabling innovation, and ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. This is more than a management role-it's an opportunity to shape the future of a high-impact academic department known for excellence in science education.

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) v ia 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)
  
  

To review the complete job posting and to apply, visit the Physics Department Job Posting. 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.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights


Additional Information and Reasonable Accommodation Requests
It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines' commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting



To apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado/jobs/5376667/department-manager-physics




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