The Business Manager position reports directly to the Executive Director of the Tennessee RiverLine (TNRL) Department. The Business Manager will manage and coordinate business, financial and budget functions within TNRL. Assure policy, procedure, and legal compliance in fiscal, grant and contract operations. Assure that cost accounting principles on sponsored project agreements are compliant. Manage and oversee business operations within the unit, especially with regard to post-award administration; provide financial data and forecasting to the TNRL Executive Director and program-area directors; supervise business support personnel; and assure the accuracy and efficiency of unit accounting practices overall. Has signatory and electronic approval authority, in conjunction with the Executive Director, on financial, budget, grant/contracts, HR and business activities. Support the Executive Director with respect to financial reporting requirements within UT and external organizations.

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The Business Manager leads financial management, budgeting processes, human resources administration, business operations, and data reporting for the unit. The position ensures the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of all financial activities, coordinates sponsored research budgeting and post award financial management, and provides guidance to staff and leadership regarding fiscal and operational decisions. The role maintains internal controls, advises leadership on strategic initiatives, supports compliance, and oversee staff performance.

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• Education: High School Dipolma or GED

• Experience: Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience will be considered as follows:

  • At least 3 years or more of relevant experience (finance, accounting, business) with a bachelor's degree in a related field; at least 7 years or more of relevant experience (finance, accounting, business) with a 2-year degree; or at least 11 years or more of relevant experience (finance, accounting, business) without a degree.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Knowledge of Oracle Cloud or other accounting software, standard accounting practices, MS Office products, post-award management of sponsored projects

  • Skills in problem-solving, forecasting, budgeting, planning, analytical, mathematical

  • Ability to organize, manage, multi-task, lead, work with minimal supervision

  • Knowledge of Office of Management and Budget cost principal circulars

  • Ability to oversee and supervise designated accounting and administrative support staff

  • Ability to independently manage all budgets and expenditures for both restricted and unrestricted funding

  • Ability to prioritize and independently manage all business and financial operations of TNRL

  • Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree

• Experience: Experience in a higher education setting; supervisory experience; experience with fiscal post-award management of federal, state, and private grants and contracts is strongly preferred.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of sponsored projects accounting related to grant and contract operations, knowledge of Office of Management and Budget cost principal circulars for educational institutions, and advanced knowledge of UT Fiscal and Human Resource Policies and Procedures

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Hybrid

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: Pay Grade 11

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume

• Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division

UT Extension provides a gateway to the University of Tennessee as the outreach unit of the Institute of Agriculture. It is a statewide educational organization, funded by federal, state and local governments, that brings research-based information about agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and resource development to the people of Tennessee where they live and work.

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Budget and Financial Operations:

• Manages the budget, including budget development, oversight, maintenance, and reporting
• Works with UT Extension Executive Director of Business and Finance in development and management of unrestricted budgets within TNRL
• Oversees and manages TNRL's financial operations including oversight of business functions and data entry activities (monthly labor distributions, requisitions, non-competitive justifications, internal transfers, accounts payable / receivable, etc.)
• Coordinates and oversees ledger reconciliation, including tracking and reconciliation internal order balances
• Ensures financial operations are compliant with UT Fiscal Policies and Procedures
• Completes federal, state, and university financial reports as requested by the staff/ Executive Director, Executive Director of Business and Finance, UTIA Administrative Staff, etc.
• Evaluates existing internal business procedures and develops and implements improvements
• Oversees TNRL's financial and administrative support staff as it relates to financial, human resource, and budget functions. Provides administrative support staff with day-to-day direction, task assignments, and professional mentorship.
• Offers financial and human resource training to Executive Director, Program Managers, and staff Education & Training

Post-Award Research Administration:

• Ensures cost accounting principles on sponsored project agreements are compliant with Federal Office of Management's Uniform Guidance Budget Circular for educational institutions
• Works with UTIA Office of Sponsored Programs and UTIA Sponsored Projects Accounting Office to process award documents and establish new accounts on awarded sponsored projects
• Ensures expenditures on sponsored project accounts, grants, and contracts comply with OMB Uniform Guidance Budget Circular, individual agreement terms, and agency budgets
• Monitors and manages financial activity and budget compliance on awarded sponsored project agreements
• Tracks and maintains salary expenditures and benefits costs for employees paid from awarded sponsored research accounts and ensures timely execution of required changes or transfers to comply with UT cost transfer policies
• Provides financial control information to the Executive Director, program-area directors, and staff regarding sponsored project agreements and accounts

Pre-Award Research Administration:

• Assists and provides direction to TNRL's Principal Investigators in budget development, planning and submission of external sponsored research proposals
• Assists and provides direction to TNRL's Principal Investigators on grant and contract policies
• Evaluates grants and contracts budget proposals to ensure adequate funding has been requested and TNRL can comply with stated objectives

Human Resources, Personnel, and Payroll Operations:

• Ensures the Center is compliant with UT Human Resource Policies and Procedures
• Reviews and oversees human resource functions
• Prepares human resource, payroll, and personnel reports requested by the Executive Director, program-area directors, etc.
• Evaluates existing TNRL internal procedures and develops and implements improvements
• Oversees or hosts regular information sessions for TNRL's program-area directors and staff on various topics related to human resources
• Maintains monthly payroll labor distributions in coordination with the Executive Director
• Other business-related duties as required