Office Manager

Job Description

This position has primary responsibility for management of the administrative office and critical business practices at Virginia Tech's Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center (Tidewater AREC). Located in Suffolk, Virginia (village of Holland) Tidewater AREC is one of the largest off-campus units within the university's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences/ Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. Tidewater AREC is currently home to eight resident faculty members, three postdoctoral associates, 14 full-time staff, numerous part-time wage and student employees, 11 graduate students; and has an annual research budget of approximately $2 million and personnel budget of $2.1 million. In this role, the Office Manager will be expected to oversee day-to-day fiscal management activities and selected human resources operations in cooperation with college human resources staff. The most critical areas of responsibility are accounting for and reconciliation of over 200 individual funds; financial reporting (monthly, annually, multi-year) at both the unit level as well as the individual faculty level; providing support for procurement and receiving shipments; payroll projections and entry; and local human resource tasks including I-9 verification and collection/submission of documents to CALS HR related to new hires. Other tasks include assistance with coordinating facility repair and maintenance with internal offices (i.e., University Facilities) including communicating with external contractors, service on the TAREC safety committee, providing scheduling and communications support for the Tidewater AREC Director and Assistant Director, and development of guidelines and protocols that increase the efficiency of business operations at the Tidewater AREC. The Office Manager will also work with a part-time (30 h/week) office assistant who focuses on procurement activities and vendor relations.

Administratively, the position reports to the Tidewater AREC Director with input from the Assistant Director. The position assists Tidewater AREC faculty, college fiscal / human resources leaders, and Tidewater AREC senior staff. Probationary evaluation and subsequent annual evaluations will be based on input from all TAREC administrators, faculty, and staff. Success in this position will be heavily dependent on the candidate being self-motivated, highly organized, an excellent problem-solver, and service-focused. Excellent communications and collaborative leadership abilities are critical given the size and scope of ongoing activities at Tidewater AREC. Physical and technological resources, training, and a strong peer support network will be provided to facilitate a successful transition to Virginia Tech's fiscal, human resources, inventory, and safety operational systems. This is a 100% in-office position with office hours between 8AM and 4:30PM; remote work is not available for this position. Occasional in-state travel may be necessary for training purposes or critical meetings.

Required Qualifications

- A positive and collaborative attitude with service-oriented mindset.
- Computing experience with emphasis on the Microsoft suite of applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive/Sharepoint and Teams.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and follow organizational procedures.
- Ability to maintain accurate digital and paper records in an organized manner.
- Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written English.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality as required in matters related to personnel management.
- Ability to multitask effectively and efficiently.
- Ability to become proficient in the use of Virginia Tech proprietary software/databases used in fiscal, HR, safety, etc. within 6-months of start date.

Preferred Qualifications

- University degree (BA/BS/MBA) in agricultural economics and/or business administration, business management, or accounting.
- Demonstrated skills (coursework and/or experience) in financial data management, administrative office management and/or accounting.
- Demonstrated leadership/supervisory experience in a business setting.

Pay Band

3

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$44,108 - $62,000; commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

August 3, 2026; open until filled

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be expected to travel to Blacksburg and/or other ARECs for training within the first month of their hire date.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Mark Estienne at View email address on click.appcast.io during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer