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Associate Director Administration Jobs in Chicago, IL

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Associate Director Administration information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$31.4K

$105.8K

$178.2K

How much do associate director administration jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate director administration in Chicago, IL is $105,824.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,100.00 and $145,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the roles and responsibilities of an associate director of administration?

An Associate Director of Administration oversees the daily administrative operations of an organization or department. Their responsibilities typically include managing budgets, supervising administrative staff, developing policies and procedures, and ensuring compliance with organizational and regulatory standards. They also play a key role in strategic planning, process improvement, and resource allocation to enhance efficiency. The Associate Director often serves as a liaison between senior management and various administrative teams, ensuring smooth communication and execution of organizational goals.

What are common challenges faced by an associate director of administration, and how can they be effectively managed?

An Associate Director of Administration often navigates challenges such as balancing competing priorities, managing cross-departmental communication, and ensuring compliance with organizational policies. Success in this role relies on strong organizational skills, proactive problem-solving, and the ability to foster collaboration between different teams. Regularly reviewing workflows, establishing clear communication channels, and staying updated on best practices in administrative management can help address these challenges and create a more efficient work environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate director of administration, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Director of Administration, you need strong organizational management, budgeting, and strategic planning skills, often supported by a degree in business administration or a related field. Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, financial reporting tools, and project management software is typically required. Exceptional leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help drive team performance and foster effective collaboration across departments. These competencies are crucial for ensuring smooth operations, efficient resource allocation, and achievement of organizational goals.

What is the difference between Associate Director Administration vs Administrative Manager?

AspectAssociate Director AdministrationAdministrative Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor’s degree, often advanced degrees or certifications in management or related fieldsBachelor’s degree, relevant experience in office or administrative management
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, overseeing multiple departments, high-level decision makingSupervising administrative staff, managing daily office operations
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofit, corporate, healthcare, government organizationsCorporate, nonprofit, educational institutions
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in administrationManaging office functions and staff

The Associate Director Administration typically holds a higher strategic role with broader responsibilities and often requires advanced degrees. In contrast, the Administrative Manager focuses on daily office management and supervising administrative staff. Both roles are vital in organizational operations but differ mainly in scope and level of seniority.

How much is the salary of an associate director administrator?

The salary of an Associate Director Administration typically ranges from $80,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on the industry, location, and level of experience. They often oversee administrative functions, manage teams, and require strong organizational skills, with some roles offering additional benefits or bonuses.

What does an associate director of administration do?

An associate director of administration oversees organizational operations, manages administrative staff, and ensures efficient support for the organization's goals. They often handle budgeting, policy implementation, and coordinate between departments, requiring strong leadership and organizational skills.

What job categories do people searching Associate Director Administration jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Director Administration jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Associate Director Administration jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Director Administration job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,824 per year, or $50.9 per hour.

Partner Operations Associate Director

Esquire Recruiting, LLC

Chicago, IL • On-site

Other

Posted 13 days ago

Job description


Partner Operations Associate Director | Global Law Firm | Chicago, IL Our prestigious and globally recognized AM LAW 50 law firm client is hiring an experienced legal Partner Operations Associate Director in their Chicago HQ office. The Partner Operations Associate Director is responsible for leading the Firm’s Partner Operations function and building the operational infrastructure that supports Partner lifecycle processes across onboarding, ongoing support, transitions, retirements, separations, governance, compliance, and related cross-functional workflows. This role will help modernize Partner Matters by creating clearer processes, playbooks, templates, controls, tracking mechanisms, reporting, and handoffs that enable Partner Relations and adjacent teams to deliver a coordinated, high-touch Partner experience. Working closely with the Partner Services Director, Partner Relations, Partner Compensation & Evaluation, Partner Accounting, OGC, Tax, Finance, HR, Payroll, Directors of Administration (DOAs), local HR, and Firm leadership, the Partner Operations Associate Director will serve as a process leader, operational problem-solver, and coordination point for complex Partner lifecycle activity. Our client firm is offering a highly competitive salary, bonus and benefit package.

Send resume to Amy Altman, CEO: amy@esquire-recruiting.com



DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • :Lead the Partner Operations function and manage the team responsible for Partner lifecycle operations, process execution, governance, compliance, documentation, and operational coordination
  • .Establish clear priorities, service expectations, workflows, handoffs, escalation paths, and operating standards for Partner Operations
  • .Oversee operational processes supporting Partner onboarding, ongoing Partner support, transitions, retirements, separations, and post-separation activity
  • .Develop and maintain standardized workflows, checklists, timelines, templates, playbooks, and process documentation for recurring Partner lifecycle activities
  • .Ensure Partner Relations and adjacent teams have operational guidance, tools, tracking, and process support needed to deliver consistent Partner-facing service
  • .Own operational governance and compliance processes within Partner Operations, including tracking, documentation, reporting, controls, recurring requirements, and issue resolution
  • .Build and improve systems, trackers, dashboards, workflow tools, reporting mechanisms, and process repositories that support Partner lifecycle operations
  • .Identify process risks, control gaps, handoff issues, bottlenecks, and automation opportunities; partner with technology, data, project management, and other resources to implement improvements
  • .Serve as a key operational coordination point across Partner Relations, Partner Compensation & Evaluation, Partner Accounting, OGC, Tax, Finance, HR, Payroll, DOAs, local HR, and other Firm functions, including coordination with OGC on legal-adjacent matters
  • .Lead, coach, and develop Partner Operations team members, including clarifying roles, managing workload allocation, supporting training, providing feedback, and identifying staffing, process, technology, or governance improvements


.
REQUIREMENT

  • S:Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Accounting, Operations, Human Resources, Organizational Leadership, or related fiel
  • d.Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in operations, professional services administration, law firm administration, project management, process improvement, finance, human resources, or a related functio
  • n.Experience managing complex processes, workflows, documentation, controls, and cross-functional handoff
  • s.Experience leading teams or managing work through other
  • s.Demonstrated ability to operate in a complex, matrixed, service-oriented environme

ntPreferre

  • d:Experience in a large law firm or sophisticated professional services organizatio
  • n.Experience with Partner lifecycle processes, onboarding, separations, governance, compliance, compensation-related operations, or professional services operation
  • s.Experience with workflow tools, case management systems, dashboards, process documentation, or automation initiative
  • s.Advanced degree, PMP, Lean Six Sigma, CPA, SHRM certification, or related credential


s.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITI

ES:The following will also be required of the successful candida

  • te:Strong organizational ski
  • llsStrong attention to det
  • ailGood judgm
  • entStrong interpersonal communication ski
  • llsStrong analytical and problem-solving ski
  • llsAble to work harmoniously and effectively with oth
  • ersAble to preserve confidentiality and exercise discret
  • ionAble to work under press
  • ureAble to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorit


ies

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