Department Manager Plant & Microbial Biology (7378U) #87325

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Departmental Overview

The Department of Plant & Microbial Biology (PMB) at UC Berkeley consistently ranks among the top institutions worldwide for research and training in plant biology and microbiology.

The Department of Plant & Microbial Biology is committed to the University of Californias mission of dedicated research and to providing a superior education in plant biology, microbiology, and related life sciences.

We integrate fast-changing technology and developments into our research and develop collaborative partnerships with other scientists and research institutions at UC Berkeley and around the world.

Position Summary

The Department Manager, Plant & Microbial Biology, manages, performs, or coordinates the administrative services of the Department of Plant & Microbial Biology (PMB). This position oversees activities in finance, human resources, IT, facilities, and graduate and undergraduate student services. The Department Manager, Plant & Microbial Biology, provides general management by conducting long- and short-range strategic planning to determine the mission and by directing all departmental activities through subordinate and centralized services staff.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: July 21, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

• Manages, plans and administers or coordinates all administrative functions of the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology (PMB). Administrative services: PMB Department Office operations, web & communications, facilities, student services, laboratories, scientific teaching facilities, space and safety, budgetary financial management, purchasing and reimbursements.
• Coordinate PMBs interactions with affiliated centers and research units.
• Serve as PMBs chief liaison to Berkeley Regional Services and RCNR Deans office staff.
• Manage departmental programs and needs, such as seminar series, hiring of lecturers, and hiring/start-up for new faculty.
• Prepare departmental reports, e.g., TAS budget, campus space surveys, business continuity plans.
• Supervise PMB Department administrative staff as well as the RCNR Teaching Laboratories and living micro-organism collection scientific staffs and space, serving both PMB and the Department of Metabolic Biology & Nutrition.
• Manage the hiring and onboarding of new staff.
• Work with the chairs to provide leadership and strategic planning for the department, including budget and space allocation, department staff structure and functions, anticipating/solving complex and sensitive issues, coordinating faculty committee assignments, and enacting the departments strategic plan.
• Develops short and long range planning for administrative services operations and improvement to processes.
• Establishes and recommends change to policies which affect the department.
• Develops and prepares complex budgets with multiple funding sources including grants, general appropriations, and philanthropic funds, and applies advanced concepts to perform analysis to determine future resource allocations.
• Prepares budget reports.
• In coordination with RCNR Development and College Relations group and others, develop and manage departmental outreach programs to community, emeriti, alumni and potential donors.
• Develop/coordinate efforts to reach out to potential philanthropic foundations and industry.
• Coordinate faculty HR actions/issues in partnership with the RCNR Academic Personnel Analyst and the Chairs.
• Act as a conduit/sounding board for the faculty and Chairs on HR issues.
• Support the faculty and lecturer hiring processes.
• In coordination with the Chairs, plans and coordinates startup, lab setup, and new faculty/lecturer onboarding.
• Plans for physical plant rehabilitation and renovation.
• Coordinate equipment purchases funded by the PMB department.
• Coordinate space and shared equipment use and safety programs for the department, including lab moves and closeouts.
• Coordinate planning for academic programs with faculty, chairs.
• Assess needs based on resources and requirements, make recommendations to chairs.
• Work with the chairs, faculty teaching leadership, the RCNR undergraduate office, and PMB staff to coordinate teaching assignments, lecturer searches, course scheduling, course evaluations, and curriculum changes.
• Coordinate and oversee the completion of large-scale, high-priority projects such as academic program reviews, outreach efforts, or grant and contract proposals involving a diverse and/or wide variety of funding sources and agencies, e.g., equipment grants, training grants.
• Represents the department on business affairs to the institution community and serves on departmental, college, and campus committees.

Required Qualifications

• Ability to gain advanced knowledge of University rules and regulations, processes, protocols, and procedures for budget, accounting, and fund management, and / or personnel management, and/or the ability to learn.
• Advanced interpersonal skills, including verbal and written communication, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising, and counseling skills.
• Advanced knowledge of a variety of administrative operational activities such as event planning, basic fundraising processes, risk management planning, website design, accounting and payroll, and contracts and grants regulations and guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Advanced skills in short- and long-term strategic planning, analysis, problem-solving and customer service.
• Advanced knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques, and / or human resources policies and procedures for staff and academic employees and/or the ability to learn.
• Advanced knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs and/or the ability to learn.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $91,500 - $150,000.

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This position is eligible for up to 20% remote work within the United States, after full competency is achieved. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.