Assistant Department Head Jobs
Assistant Department Head jobs are open across retail, healthcare, education, and manufacturing, at levels from team lead to senior deputy, with specializations in operations, clinical services, and academic administration. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 62+ Assistant Department Head jobs
Location: East Brunswick, NJ or South Hackensack, NJ HQ office.
Department: Water Services Team
Title: Deputy Department Head of Water Services - Environmental Engineering
About Boswell
Since our founding in 1924, Boswell has evolved into a multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm serving public and private sector clients. We take pride in delivering quality engineering solutions while fostering a collaborative workplace that supports employee development and professional growth.
About this Role
Boswell offers a rare, genuine blend of stability, mentoring by engineering excellence professionals, a "family feel" and growth options for a Deputy Department Head of Water Services based at either our new East Brunswick, NJ or South Hackensack, NJ HQ office. This exciting new role, reporting directly to Boswell’s Vice President of Water Services, will be involved in day-to-day operations leading and managing all levels of engineers while also managing projects.
Water and Wastewater Services
This Deputy Department Head will be responsible for managing water and wastewater improvement projects which include the design of water/ wastewater conveyance and treatment systems, environmental studies, and hydraulic modeling. They will also assist in managing the division, including preparation of proposals, distribution of work, overseeing staffing and technical review of projects in the department, including budgeting and scheduling.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare job proposals, establish project budgets and construction cost estimates
- Lead planning, design and permitting for water and wastewater infrastructure projects, including managing project scope and schedule
- Manage project managers and technical staff
- Manage/ mentor Engineers at all levels
- Foster relationships with municipal utilities, authorities and public and private sector clients
- Strong attention to detail
- Strong verbal and written skills
- Ability to work independently
- Manage time efficiently
- Adhere to internal standards, policies, and procedures
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree with 15+ years of relevant work experience including engineering design, construction, project management, estimates and proposals on water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
- Professional Engineering (P.E.) License is required.
Experience in the following:
- Design of water/sanitary sewer conveyance systems
- Wastewater treatment plant design
- Water treatment design
- Well redevelopment
- Hydraulic Modeling
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with developing project scope, fee & schedule during proposal preparation
Benefits & Compensation
We recognize that the best way to provide services of the highest quality is by investing in our employees. Our competitive compensation and benefits include:
- Professional Development and Ongoing Mentoring: Expert training and mentoring through the Boswell Academy, licensed Professional Engineers who still do the work and tuition assistance programs
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Company-paid life insurance and voluntary life insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (LTD and STD)
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- 401(k) company match
- Paid Time Off (PTO) including vacation, sick days, and holidays
- Tuition assistance
- Employee referral bonuses
- Company paid Certifications and Training
- Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
The salary range below is applicable for the job and location associated with this position. Compensation will vary based on specific relevant experience, education, certifications, skill levels, geographic location, and other compensable factors.
- Salary Range: $165,000-190,000 / Year
Boswell accepts applications on a rolling basis and reserves the right to cancel this posting at any time.
AAP/EEO/M/F/D/V Statement
Boswell is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, citizenship status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military/veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.
Location: East Brunswick, NJ or South Hackensack, NJ HQ office.
Department: Water Services Team
Title: Deputy Department Head of Water Services - Environmental Engineering
About Boswell
Since our founding in 1924, Boswell has evolved into a multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm serving public and private sector clients. We take pride in delivering quality engineering solutions while fostering a collaborative workplace that supports employee development and professional growth.
About this Role
Boswell offers a rare, genuine blend of stability, mentoring by engineering excellence professionals, a "family feel" and growth options for a Deputy Department Head of Water Services based at either our new East Brunswick, NJ or South Hackensack, NJ HQ office. This exciting new role, reporting directly to Boswell’s Vice President of Water Services, will be involved in day-to-day operations leading and managing all levels of engineers while also managing projects.
Water and Wastewater Services
This Deputy Department Head will be responsible for managing water and wastewater improvement projects which include the design of water/ wastewater conveyance and treatment systems, environmental studies, and hydraulic modeling. They will also assist in managing the division, including preparation of proposals, distribution of work, overseeing staffing and technical review of projects in the department, including budgeting and scheduling.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare job proposals, establish project budgets and construction cost estimates
- Lead planning, design and permitting for water and wastewater infrastructure projects, including managing project scope and schedule
- Manage project managers and technical staff
- Manage/ mentor Engineers at all levels
- Foster relationships with municipal utilities, authorities and public and private sector clients
- Strong attention to detail
- Strong verbal and written skills
- Ability to work independently
- Manage time efficiently
- Adhere to internal standards, policies, and procedures
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree with 15+ years of relevant work experience including engineering design, construction, project management, estimates and proposals on water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
- Professional Engineering (P.E.) License is required.
Experience in the following:
- Design of water/sanitary sewer conveyance systems
- Wastewater treatment plant design
- Water treatment design
- Well redevelopment
- Hydraulic Modeling
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with developing project scope, fee & schedule during proposal preparation
Benefits & Compensation
We recognize that the best way to provide services of the highest quality is by investing in our employees. Our competitive compensation and benefits include:
- Professional Development and Ongoing Mentoring: Expert training and mentoring through the Boswell Academy, licensed Professional Engineers who still do the work and tuition assistance programs
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Company-paid life insurance and voluntary life insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (LTD and STD)
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- 401(k) company match
- Paid Time Off (PTO) including vacation, sick days, and holidays
- Tuition assistance
- Employee referral bonuses
- Company paid Certifications and Training
- Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
The salary range below is applicable for the job and location associated with this position. Compensation will vary based on specific relevant experience, education, certifications, skill levels, geographic location, and other compensable factors.
- Salary Range: $165,000-190,000 / Year
Boswell accepts applications on a rolling basis and reserves the right to cancel this posting at any time.
AAP/EEO/M/F/D/V Statement
Boswell is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, citizenship status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military/veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.
Assistant Department Head Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsAssistant Department Head Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Science & Research
- Agriculture & Farming
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in assistant department head jobs.
- 3-5 years of supervisory or team lead experience in the relevant department
- Bachelor's degree in a field related to the department's core function
- Proficiency with scheduling, inventory, or department-specific management software
- Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and control departmental operating costs
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-departmental coordination
- Relevant industry certification such as a healthcare licensure, retail management credential, or equivalent
Tips for Your Assistant Department Head Job Search
Tailor your resume to each sector
Retail and healthcare assistant department head roles prioritize different competencies. Retail postings emphasize inventory and scheduling, while healthcare postings focus on compliance and staffing ratios. Adjust your bullet points so the most sector-relevant accomplishments appear in the top third of your resume.
Quantify your team oversight experience
Hiring managers want to see how many direct reports you managed and what outcomes improved on your watch. Replace vague phrases like 'led a team' with specifics: headcount, shift coverage, turnover reduction, or throughput gains tied to your leadership.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists assistant department head openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings that name a departing leader
Job descriptions that reference a 'newly created role' or a 'replacement hire' signal very different urgency levels. Replacement postings fill fast, so prioritize those applications and get your materials in within the first 48 hours of a listing going live.
Prepare a cross-functional influence story
Interviewers for assistant department head roles probe how you coordinate with peer departments you don't directly control. Prepare a specific example where you drove a process change or resolved a conflict with a team outside your reporting line.
Negotiate scope before negotiating anything else
Before discussing compensation, clarify what 'assistant department head' means at that organization: headcount, budget authority, and acting responsibilities when the department head is away. Scope varies widely, and a narrower role at a higher title can limit your next career move.
Assistant Department Head Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most assistant department heads?
Texas A&M University, PGA TOUR Superstore, and World Business Lenders are hiring the most assistant department heads right now, with openings concentrated in Texas, California, and Alabama, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Volume tends to spike in organizations undergoing departmental restructuring or rapid headcount growth.
How many assistant department head jobs are remote?
About 43% of assistant department head openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with the highest remote share concentrated in administrative, academic advising, and back-office operations functions. Roles that require direct supervision of on-site staff, such as retail floor or clinical department positions, are almost exclusively on-site.
How do you become an assistant department head?
Start by building several years of hands-on experience within your target department, then actively take on supervisory coverage whenever the department head is unavailable. Document specific outcomes you drove, then pursue internal promotions or lateral moves that give you direct reports. Many candidates also complete a relevant industry certification or a management-focused graduate certificate before making the move.
Can you get hired as an assistant department head with little experience?
Yes, but you'll need to close the experience gap in a targeted way. Focus on roles in smaller organizations or newly formed departments where the bar for prior supervisory experience is lower. Highlight any informal leadership you've done, such as training new hires, covering for a manager, or leading a project team, and frame those contributions in outcome-based language on your resume.
What does the assistant department head interview process look like?
Most employers run two to three rounds. The first is typically a phone or video screen with HR focused on culture fit and basic qualifications. The second brings in the department head or a senior operations leader and digs into your supervisory experience with behavioral questions. A final round often includes a panel with cross-functional peers or a brief presentation on how you'd approach a department challenge.
Where can I find and apply to assistant department head jobs?
You can find and apply to assistant department head jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and industry, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
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