Business Manager – College of Arts and Sciences

This Position is Regular, Full-Time, Exempt, Market Range 11

Position Summary:

The Business Manager oversees a broad portfolio of business support activities for the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) research centers and institutes and interdisciplinary programs, which include HR, financial, budgeting and administrative operations. This position serves as the primary point of contact for all financial and HR matters and oversight of all financial actions as well as provide assistance with the administration of new centers and institutes and support the needs of the interdisciplinary programs. The business manager will be responsible for approvals of financial and human resource related expenditures, and assisting with fiscal, year-end and sponsored projects close out processes and reporting. Consult with faculty regarding activities in sponsored projects administration to ensure compliance with federal and university regulations. This position is responsible for assuring fiscal objectives are meet, establishing and sustaining positive working relationships with internal & external constituencies, analyzing & reporting data, and complying with regulations & policies. The position may supervise designated departmental staff as the office grows.

Job Duties

Finance & Accounting

· Performs financial management and supports strategic planning and budget analysis for CAS research centers and institutes and interdisciplinary programs.

· Manages expenditures and obligations including preparing annual financial reports according to UT and federal procedures and policies.

· Leads process of several accounting functions including verification and approval of cost accounting, year-end account reconciliations, p-card administration, etc.

· Manages account balances using expenditure actuals, encumbrances and internal orders.

· Advises in short and long-range planning and makes recommendations on financial and budgetary actions.

· Provides assistance with sponsored projects including developing proposal budget and budget justifications, analyzing pre-award documents for cost-sharing commitments and budget allocations, monitoring post-award financial accounts for appropriate and allowable charges in coordination with accountant.

· Responds to and submits necessary documentation for audits.

· Advises faculty, staff, and student of purchasing policies and solves problems when competing policies are present.

Human Resources

• Act as primary contact and approver of all HR functions within CAS research centers and institutions and interdisciplinary programs including the coordination of position requisitions, managing hiring searches, personnel changes and salary recommendations.

• Approve all biweekly and monthly time.

• Process paperwork for new positions in research centers and institutes and interdisciplinary programs.

• Approves new hire paperwork.

Planning and reporting for CAS research centers and institutions:

• Selects methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for year-end reporting and rate proposal process consistent with broadly defined policies, procedures, and standards.

• Creates & implements consistent reporting requirements and metrics to justify allocation of funds to new equipment, the creation of new research centers and institutions, and other facility related issues as they arise.

Contract/Award Administration, Procurement, Misc.

• Prepares and manages contracts and other agreements with partners and external users.

• Manages the equipment procurement activities.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)

• Skilled in accounting and financial analysis practices

• Skilled in using Microsoft Office, specifically Excel

• Planning, organization, and customer service skills

• Ability to effectively communicate information and ideas via written and verbal correspondence

• Ability to work with cross-functional teams, build and nurture relationships

• Ability to be a creative problem solver and to think strategically

• Ability to analyze financial information and make appropriate recommendations

• Ability to interpret and apply fiscal policies

• Ability to interpret data and present results

• Ability to influence outcomes using leadership techniques

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Higher education fiscal and human resources policies and procedures.

• Federal contracting/grant processes.

Required Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of progressively responsible financial experience.

o Or

• Associate’s degree plus 5 years of progressively responsible financial experience.

o Or

• High School Diploma and 8 years of progressively responsible financial experience.

Preferred Education/Experience

• 5 years experience in budget planning, accounting, or business management in a research university environment.