Business Manager - Center for Global Engagement - UTK

The Center for Global Engagement, CGE, is hiring a Business Manager to serve as one of the financial and human resources subject matter experts. The position manages financial, budgetary, administrative, and human resource related processes within the department.

The Business Manager serves as one of the financial and human resources subject matter experts for the Center for Global Engagement (CGE). The position provides professional guidance and management of financial, administrative, and human resource related processes within the department. As a primary point of contact in the CGE Business and Human Resource offices, this position develops and disseminates standardized internal procedures; trains CGE colleagues; provides guidance on financial and human resource policies and procedures to select the best path forward and improve overall institutional knowledge; ensures consistent alignment with university policies to maintain compliance; performs in depth research and analysis to correct errors and solve complex problems; as well as performs routine finance and human resources tasks. This position also serves as liaison between CGE personnel and experts in UT/K offices such as finance and budget as well as human resources, to strengthen operational efficiency and minimize redundancy.

Financial Operations, Oversight and Compliance

• Advise administrative staff and department heads on financial matters human resource functions to promote and ensure compliance with UT fiscal and HR policies.
• Review/approve financial and human resource transactions, payroll, p-card & travel card expense reports, invoices, contracts and monthly ledger reconciliation reports while referring compliance and practice-based issues back to the director or originating unit. Exercises acute attention to detail to ensure expenditures are accurate prior to and all the way through approval process.
• Maintain extensive understanding of institutional financial, scholarship and sponsored project policies. Uses excellent professional judgment and integrity to evaluate the appropriateness of expenditures and possesses the maturity and confidence to address questionable transactions either directly or by escalating them, if needed.
• Monitor and analyze budget allocations, expenditures, revenue, fund balances and related financial activities to ensure accuracy and compliance. Maintain system perspective to ensure that all expenditures are evaluated to assess impact on departmental strategic and operational needs as well as financial goals and make recommendations to leadership.
• Develop and implement fiscal operations policy for CGE to ensure accuracy and integrity of all financial matters.
• Coordinate new vendor registration in PaymentWorks vendor management system.
• Gather required documentation, submit contracts and respond to contract related inquiries utilizing Agiloft contract lifecycle management software.
• Serve as one of CGE’s expense reporting experts; coach procurement and travel card holders to prepare expense reports accurately and in a timely manner.
• Develop and implement robust scholarship management process and workflow within CGE; coordinate scholarship fund management with CGE leadership and campus partners such as the Financial Aid Office.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues from other UT departments such as Shared Services, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Human Resources, Bursar’s Office and the Office of the Provost.

Budget Development and Financial Reporting

• Collect and analyze data necessary for annual budget preparation & reporting.
• Assist with salary reconciliation and position budgeting.
• Develop and maintain reporting systems in accordance with needs and reporting requirements.
• Gather and analyze data, prepare and distribute monthly and annual reports for internal and external constituencies, perform data queries and prepare ad hoc reports.
• Monitor revenue accounts; compare to projections and expenditures; work with CGE leadership to adjust as necessary.

Manages Administrative Operations

• Assist in developing and implementing fiscal operations and policy for CGE to ensure accuracy and integrity in all financial matters.
• Develop, revise, and disseminate departmental expectations, processes and procedures and provide guidance as needed to current and new employees.
• Direct and/or advise administrative and financial staff, as well as unit directors on interpretation of financial policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain "best practice" guides and procedures to the various areas of financial, human resources, contract, scholarship, and grant operations.
• Prepare and submit annual obligations such as financial self-assessment surveys, space allocation surveys, and computer lifecycle orders.

Human Resources

• Provides recruitment support by creating job announcements and executing personnel actions in DASH as needed to provide backup for the Executive Director.
• Ensure the onboarding procedure is followed consistently for all new staff members.
• Support annual merit increase process for CGE.

Supervision

• Provide work direction, supervise and evaluate performance of the Financial and Human Resources associate/s. May also supervise student workers as needed.
• Promote and contribute to a successful collaborative environment by maintaining a positive office workspace.
• Set goals for administrative and office management, customer service excellence and establish metrics to achieve such goals.
• Provide clear well-communicated expectations and ensure they align with the goals and objectives of the department.
• Provide frequent feedback and interim evaluations as appropriate. Ensure staff have the requisite knowledge, skills, and training to accomplish their goals. Complete performance evaluations by established deadlines. Address performance issues in a timely manner and document them. Seek assistance from supervisor, Human Resources and others when appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• Education:
  • A Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, accounting/finance or related field is required.
  • In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, candidates with four additional years of related experience will be considered.
• Experience:
  • Four years of relevant progressively responsible experience in any, all, or a combination of financial, administrative, human resource fields, with at least two in higher education and two in supervision.
  • In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, candidates with four additional years of related experience will be considered.
  • Experience managing financial, budget, account reconciliation and human resources related tasks.
  • Experience interacting across organizational boundaries to resolve fiscal/resource issues.
  • Experience supervising individuals with diverse backgrounds and skill sets.
  • Experience creating easy to use training materials and delivering effective training sessions to a wide range of learners.
  • Experience executing tasks related to the employee lifecycle such as hiring, compensation, performance, and termination.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work it the United States on a full-time basis without the need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to maintain professional integrity and confidentiality and independently discern when it is necessary to do so.
• Ability to review and accurately apply UT System, UTK and CGE policies to all work activities, particularly financial and human resource related tasks, to maintain compliance.
• Ability to establish and maintain respectful and effective working relationships with colleagues, at all levels, across UT’s diverse workforce.
• Knowledge of business management concepts and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) necessary to carry out operational, administrative, and financial responsibilities.
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills that are effective in working with individuals with diverse backgrounds, skill sets, and roles.
• Excellent customer service, critical thinking, analytical, sound judgment, problem-solving, conflict resolution and decision-making skills.
• Ability to gather relevant information from multiple sources and synthesize information to provide guidance through non-routine financial and human resource situations and resolve complex problems.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Ability to function effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced compliance driven environment.
• Ability to prioritize, organize and manage a high volume of work with multiple tasks in order to meet internal and external deadlines, while maintaining accuracy.
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams and PowerPoint.
• Ability to enhance training though effective self-directed learning initiatives; particularly to become proficient in new software applications.
• Solid presentation skills and ability to teach and train others.
• Comprehensive understanding of HR policies, including recruitment, onboarding and performance management, to ensure compliance with university standards and regulations.
• Ability to manage complex processes, such as the annual merit increase cycle.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education:
  • Master’s degree in business administration, management, accounting/finance or related field.
• Experience:
  • Six years of relevant progressively responsible experience in any, all or combination of financial, administrative, human resource fields, with at least three in higher education and three in supervision.
  • Experience working in Oracle’s DASH Enterprise Resource Planning tool.
  • Experience in contract preparation and submission.
  • Experience in scholarship administration.
  • Experience in a higher education institution’s annual budget preparation process.
  • Experience in activities related to pre/post award fiscal management of federal, state and private grants.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities Preferred

• Ability to align administrative, financial, human resources, and operations of a department, with overarching goals and vision.
• Expert knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Working knowledge of Oracle’s Smart View Excel add-in tool

Work Schedule

This is an on-campus position. The successful candidate must be willing to work seldomly on weekends evenings, and overnights while traveling.

Work Location

• 2309 Kingston Pike, Knoxville TN 37919
• This is an on-campus position with some flexibility for working hybrid/remote schedule. The successful candidate must be willing to work occasionally on weekends evenings, and overnights while traveling if necessary.

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR11
• Anticipated hiring range: $57,000 - $67,000
• Regular Full Time Exempt
• Benefits include:
• Generous paid leave, accruing up to 24 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave annually, plus 14 paid holidays and administrative closing days
• Flexible work arrangements, offering a hybrid schedule to some team members
• Education benefits for employees and their dependents at UT System campuses
• Retirement and deferred compensation plans, including 401(k), 403(b), etc.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Employee discounts to attractions, services, and goods

Application Instructions

• For full consideration, interested individuals should provide a cover letter addressing professional experience relevant to the required minimum qualifications, a resume, and the name, address, e-mail and phone number of three professional references.
• Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the position has been filled.

About The College/Department/Division

The Center for Global Engagement, CGE is comprised of seven units (English Language Institute, the International House, International Student and Scholar Services, Programs Abroad, Communications, Global Security, Risk and Resilience, & Global Research, Innovation and Partnerships) that are responsible for working throughout campus, across Tennessee and around the world to provide enriching and diverse international learning and research experiences for faculty, students and scholars.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!