Manager Accountabilities

Manager accountabilities provide managers of staff at Yale with a framework for how to achieve higher performance within the organization. Each of these accountabilities is directly linked to specific skills and behaviors needed to be successful in a managerial role at Yale, as described below.

Skills and Behaviors for Manager Accountabilities

The following skills and behaviors provide specific examples for how you, as a Yale manager, can effectively accomplish each of the manager accountabilities:

Hire Talent and Build the Team

  • Utilize job descriptions to identify job candidates
  • Conduct thorough interviews and reference checks to select quality candidates
  • Communicate job or position expectations to staff
  • Assess and determine staffing needs
  • Ensure that new staff members have the resources needed to do their jobs (e.g., workstation, computer, systems access, orientation, technical training, etc.)
  • Add, terminate and reorganize staff in accordance with University policy and procedure and collective bargaining agreements
  • Ensure continuity of the team through cross-training and succession planning
  • Support the University’s commitment to diversity

Set Goals and Deliver Results

  • Create strategy, goals or plans for the team as appropriate, in alignment with University goals
  • Set annual individual and team performance goals, using the SMART framework
  • Identify action steps and timelines needed to reach objectives
  • Communicate plans to staff and delegate work
  • Effectively allocate available resources
  • Track progress to ensure completion of work within target deadlines
  • Set priorities and manage workload for self and staff

Provide Supervision

  • Supervise staff activities and progress
  • Oversee workflow and take action to ensure performance (e.g., adjust timelines, solve problems)
  • Maintain compliance with Yale policies, contractual obligations and with federal/state law
  • Act as a liaison or moderator and know when to seek assistance from other resources in resolving conflicts
  • Support the work and objectives of staff, faculty and students in the department
  • Where applicable, ensure that faculty and students apply proper procedures and timelines

Manage Operations

  • Provide administrative leadership in managing people, infrastructure and facilities
  • Administer operational procedures to ensure that the department runs smoothly
  • Complete appropriate budgeting and financial reporting
  • Plan and facilitate effective meetings
  • Implement changes and new systems or programs within the department
  • Engage staff in using best-practice tools and methodology

Evaluate Performance and Develop People

  • Conduct performance reviews on a regular basis (e.g., mid-year, annual reviews)
  • Deliver ongoing feedback and address performance issues
  • Recognize training needs and ensure that staff gain needed skills
  • Suggest appropriate training opportunities and assignments
  • Collaborate with staff members to create and implement development plans
  • As required, follow required procedures for managing union members

Share Information

  • Share needed information with staff and others in a timely manner
  • Provide a regular forum for sharing information within the department (e.g., weekly staff meetings)
  • Provide recognition and praise to motivate the department
  • Collaborate and share information with other groups or departments across the University

Acquire Technical Knowledge and Expertise

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the school or department’s functional area (e.g., academic focus)
  • Effectively utilize relevant tools, applications and systems
  • Demonstrate knowledge of University and department processes and policies needed to make decisions, supervise work and answer questions
  • Possess a broad range of expertise about the department’s work in order to step in or reassign tasks due to absences and/or increased workload
  • Demonstrate knowledge of relevant labor management agreements
  • Embrace continuous learning and self-development