Tamara Thatcher, Manager of Finance and Administration, is responsible for supporting the chair and faculty by executing policy and strategic direction for the department, developing and carrying out short- and long-term academic and operations planning in collaboration with the chair, and supporting critical priorities including faculty recruiting, promotions and retentions. She is also responsible for ensuring that the faculty, students, and staff have the necessary resources to carry out their academic, research, and administrative duties. Tamara supervises the administrative staff and is responsible for all staff hiring, performance reviews, and professional development. Additionally, Tamara helps to develop the administrative budget for the department in collaboration with the chair and business manager, and oversees all office moves, renovations and repairs.

Prior to joining the Department of English, Tamara worked in a variety of areas across campus, including in the Department of Electrical Engineering, the Department of Psychology, the Council of the Humanities, the Office of the Dean of the Faculty, and the Department of Chemistry. Her previous roles provided her broad experience navigating faculty, student and staff matters, resource management, and strategic planning. Before joining Princeton in 2003, she worked in corporate marketing, managed the finances for a charitable foundation to support autism research, and assisted the curator of a large, distinguished art collection.

When not at work or enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, cycling or (very occasionally) jogging, Tamara can most often be found reading books, playing cards with friends, baking, and spoiling her pets.