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- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) seeks an experienced and highly organized Administrative Supervisor (Adminstrative Assistant - Supervisor level) to support the administrative and financial operations of a dynamic office dedicated to protecting Penn State's intellectual property, advancing commercialization efforts, and promoting economic development through technology transfer.
Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Research and Director of OTT, this position serves as a key operational leader, overseeing office administration, budget management, human resources support, and governance activities for The Penn State Research Foundation (PSRF).
Key ResponsibilitiesServe as the Assistant Secretary to The Penn State Research Foundation (PSRF) by:
- Coordinating Board of Directors meetings and committee activities.
- Preparing agendas, meeting materials, resolutions, minutes, and board communications.
- Managing the PSRF Board Portal and maintaining governance records.
- Supporting board members and leadership on matters related to bylaws, resolutions, and governance practices.
- Assisting with equity approval processes, signature authorizations, fund management, and related administrative activities.
- Monitor and facilitate PSRF fund transfers and related financial requests.
Financial and Administrative Operations
- Manage OTT's operating budget, including financial transactions, reconciliations, budget reporting, forecasting, and annual budget planning.
- Prepare and analyze monthly and annual financial reports for OTT leadership and University stakeholders.
- Handle confidential information related to budgets, personnel, salaries, and sensitive matters.
- Serve as the office key/card access custodian.
Data Management and Reporting
- Compile, analyze, and report data related to technology disclosures, licensing activity, patents, revenues, and expenses.
- Prepare internal reports and coordinate submission of the annual Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) survey.
- Maintain records related to startup companies and equity holdings managed through The Penn State Research Foundation.
Human Resources and Staff Support
- Supervise and support administrative staff.
- Coordinate hiring activities, including Hire Exception Requests, job postings, job requisitions, and search support.
- Manage onboarding and offboarding processes for staff.
Additional Responsibilities
- Support special projects and perform other duties as assigned based on the needs of the unit, which are within the scope of the role.
- Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
- Experience managing budgets, financial reporting, and administrative operations.
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong customer-service orientation and commitment to operational excellence.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively across stakeholder groups.
- A demonstrated ability to learn new systems, processes, and subject matter quickly.
Experience with one or more of the following is preferred: SIMBA, SAP Concur, Workday, SharePoint, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Access, Database management and reporting systems
Work Arrangement: This is an in-person role and will operate out of the University Park campus.
This role is ideal for a detail-oriented professional who enjoys balancing financial oversight, operational management, and executive-level administrative support in a mission-driven environment.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Associate Degree 4+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $49,188.00 - $71,340.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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Skills Required
- Associate degree and 4+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Leadership, organizational, and project management skills
- Experience managing budgets, financial reporting, and administrative operations
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong customer-service orientation and commitment to operational excellence
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate across stakeholder groups
- Ability to learn new systems, processes, and subject matter quickly
- Experience with SIMBA, SAP Concur, Workday, SharePoint, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, or Access
- Experience with database management and reporting systems
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
Penn State University Insights
What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
