What Does a Vice President of Administration Do?
A Vice President of Administration oversees the internal operations that keep an organization running smoothly. This executive is responsible for aligning administrative departments—including facilities, human resources, compliance, and internal services—with the company’s broader business goals. Their leadership ensures that the business infrastructure supports day-to-day operations while also scaling for long-term growth.
The VP of Administration manages policy development, risk mitigation, budgeting for administrative departments, and vendor negotiations. They streamline internal processes, optimize cross-functional collaboration, and support corporate governance initiatives. Acting as a key advisor to executive leadership, this role is instrumental in fostering a stable, efficient, and compliant operating environment.
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Vice President of Administration Core Responsibilities
- Direct all administrative functions including facilities, office operations, and internal services
- Develop, implement, and enforce corporate administrative policies and procedures
- Manage department budgets and oversee vendor contract negotiations
- Coordinate with HR and legal teams on compliance, recordkeeping, and regulatory requirements
- Establish business continuity and risk management protocols for administrative operations
- Supervise administrative staff, department managers, and support teams
- Evaluate internal workflows to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness
- Oversee office build-outs, moves, and workspace utilization strategies
- Collaborate with finance and executive leadership on resource planning
- Maintain organizational alignment with federal, state, and local operational laws
- Drive internal communications strategy to promote clarity and accountability
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Budgeting and cost control for administrative operations
- Contract management and vendor negotiations
- Compliance and risk mitigation strategies
- Office and facility management systems
- Proficiency with HRIS, ERP, or workflow automation tools
- Business continuity and policy development expertise
Soft skills
- Strategic planning with a systems-thinking approach
- Leadership across cross-functional internal departments
- High organizational and process optimization ability
- Clear communication across executive and operational tiers
- Conflict resolution and team mentorship
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, operations management, or a related field
- Master’s degree (e.g., MBA or MPA) preferred for enterprise-scale organizations
Certifications
Not required, but certifications such as Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) or SHRM-CP are valued depending on scope
Vice President of Administration Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing corporate administration in multi-location or global environments
- Background in regulatory compliance and operational risk management
- Familiarity with facilities strategy, remote workforce support, and hybrid office models
- Prior success leading enterprise-wide operational transformation or restructuring initiatives
National Average Salary
Vice president of administration salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Vice President of Administration is:
$161,636
Sample Vice President of Administration Job Descriptions
The first step when hiring a great vice president of administration is a well-crafted job description. Below are real-world examples to help give you the best chance of success on your recruiting journey.
Example 1: Vice President of Hospital Administration
Position overview
The Vice President of Hospital Administration leads the non-clinical operations of a hospital or health system. This executive is responsible for managing facilities, compliance, HR support, and vendor relationships to ensure smooth and efficient healthcare delivery. The role is pivotal in aligning administrative functions with patient care goals, regulatory requirements, and cost-containment strategies.
Responsibilities
- Oversee all hospital administrative departments, including facilities, HR, compliance, and supply chain
- Ensure compliance with healthcare regulations such as HIPAA, Joint Commission, and OSHA standards
- Coordinate with clinical leadership to align operational support with patient care delivery
- Lead capital planning and facilities management, including expansions and renovations
- Manage vendor contracts, equipment procurement, and service agreements
- Oversee administrative budgeting and performance monitoring across hospital units
- Implement quality improvement initiatives across support services
- Serve as a liaison between administrative departments and hospital executives
- Support staffing strategies for non-clinical teams and allied health services
- Ensure readiness for inspections, audits, and accreditation reviews
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of healthcare regulatory frameworks (CMS, HIPAA, Joint Commission)
- Budget management and capital planning for healthcare operations
- Vendor and facilities contract negotiation
- Experience with hospital operations software (e.g., Epic, Meditech, Cerner)
Soft skills
- Strong leadership in high-pressure, compliance-driven environments
- Clear communication with medical and non-medical teams
- Organizational agility and change management
- Problem-solving with a systems approach
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, business, or a related field
- Master’s degree in healthcare administration (MHA) or MBA preferred
Certifications
Certified Healthcare Administrative Professional (CHAP) or FACHE preferred
Preferred qualifications
- Experience in a multi-site hospital or healthcare system
- Background in managing joint-venture or public/private healthcare partnerships
- Knowledge of patient satisfaction and operational performance metrics
Example 2: Vice President of School District Administration
Position overview
The Vice President of School District Administration oversees operational and administrative services for a public or private K–12 school district. This executive ensures that facilities, HR, budgeting, and compliance efforts support instructional quality and district-wide goals.
Responsibilities
- Supervise district-level administrative functions, including HR, finance, and facilities
- Develop and manage district budgets in partnership with the CFO or finance team
- Ensure compliance with state, local, and federal education regulations
- Oversee maintenance, transportation, and food service operations across all campuses
- Collaborate with the superintendent and academic leadership to align operations with instructional goals
- Implement district-wide policies and procedures that ensure efficiency and equity
- Lead strategic planning and administrative resource allocation
- Coordinate with labor unions or employee associations as needed
- Support community engagement and board of education reporting
- Supervise administrative directors and support staff across schools
Requirements
Hard skills
- Budgeting and finance management for public education
- Knowledge of K–12 compliance requirements (FERPA, ESSA, Title IX)
- Facilities oversight for multi-campus environments
- Vendor and service provider management
Soft skills
- Public sector communication and diplomacy
- Leadership in politically and socially complex environments
- Detail-oriented project and change management
- Ability to build consensus across diverse stakeholders
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in education administration, public administration, or a related field
- Master’s degree or EdD strongly preferred
Certifications
None required, but state or local administrative credentials are often necessary
Preferred qualifications
- Experience working with school boards, superintendents, and parent advocacy groups
- Familiarity with grant-funded operations and public school reporting systems
- Background in both instructional and operational leadership
Example 3: Vice President of Nonprofit Administration
Position overview
The Vice President of Nonprofit Administration provides operational leadership across finance, HR, compliance, and internal systems to ensure a nonprofit’s programs are supported efficiently and ethically. This role is essential for aligning administrative infrastructure with mission delivery and donor accountability.
Responsibilities
- Oversee HR, finance, compliance, and IT to support the organization’s mission
- Ensure adherence to nonprofit regulations and reporting requirements (IRS, 990s, grant compliance)
- Collaborate with program leadership to support effective service delivery
- Lead budgeting and internal audit preparation
- Manage facilities, contracts, and day-to-day administrative functions
- Supervise administrative and operations teams across departments
- Coordinate with fund development teams on grant compliance and donor stewardship
- Support board governance functions, including minutes, documentation, and compliance
- Develop and enforce administrative policies and systems
- Guide risk management and legal compliance activities
Requirements
Hard skills
- Budget management and grant compliance
- Understanding of nonprofit finance, tax law, and 501(c)(3) governance
- Contract negotiation and vendor oversight
- Proficiency with accounting and CRM systems used in nonprofits
Soft skills
- Mission-driven mindset
- Clear communication with board members, donors, and partners
- Team-building across administrative and program teams
- Strong organizational and risk management ability
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, public administration, or business
- Master’s degree preferred (MPA, MBA, or MNM)
Certifications
None required
Preferred qualifications
- Experience supporting a nonprofit with multi-program or multi-location operations
- Background in managing donor-funded initiatives with complex compliance needs
- Familiarity with tools like QuickBooks for Nonprofits, Salesforce, or Foundant
Example 4: Vice President of Corporate Administration
Position overview
The Vice President of Corporate Administration leads internal services that support a company’s infrastructure, including HR, facilities, legal compliance, and vendor relationships. This role ensures that corporate operations are scalable, compliant, and aligned with business objectives.
Responsibilities
- Oversee company-wide administrative functions including HR operations, facilities, and internal services
- Develop and enforce corporate administrative policies and risk protocols
- Manage facilities and office services for headquarters and satellite offices
- Lead contract administration and vendor relationship management
- Partner with legal and HR teams on compliance and employment matters
- Manage administrative budgeting and resource planning
- Drive process improvement initiatives and system integrations
- Oversee staff responsible for office management, procurement, and internal communications
- Coordinate cross-functional initiatives involving administrative teams
- Advise senior leadership on internal operations strategy
Requirements
Hard skills
- Budgeting and resource allocation for multi-functional departments
- Vendor negotiation and contract oversight
- Compliance and risk management in corporate settings
- ERP or corporate HRIS system proficiency
Soft skills
- Strategic operational planning
- Clear, executive-level communication
- Team leadership across departments
- Change management and process improvement
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration or operations management
- MBA or related master’s degree preferred
Certifications
Not required, but PMP or SHRM certifications are valued
Preferred qualifications
- Experience scaling internal operations in a high-growth or multi-site company
- Background in both people operations and infrastructure oversight
- Familiarity with hybrid or remote workforce administration