AgResearch, a unit within The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, is seeking an Assistant Director of Business and Finance to join its team. The position reports directly to the Executive Director of Business and Finance and serves as part of the senior management team of AgResearch. The position manages and is responsible for budget, finance, and strategic reporting functions within the unit, ensuring that funds are allocated and expended in support of the research mission of AgResearch and in alignment with the strategic goals and initiatives set by the Dean.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related business field

• Experience: 7 years’ Accounting and Financial Management experience; demonstrated leadership experience.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Budget, Accounting, and Financial Management Skills

  • Leadership

  • Analytical and Strategic Decision-Making Skills

  • Effective Communication Skills

  • Advanced Spreadsheet and Database Management Skills

  • Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

  • Ability to occasionally work some weekends, evenings, and travel infrequently

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree

• Certified Public Accountant (active)

• Experience: College or University Accounting and Financial Management experience; some experience with Federal Appropriations

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Knowledge of OMB Uniform Guidance

  • Knowledge of 1862 Land Grant University Administrative and Fiscal Requirements

  • Knowledge of ERP Systems such as the University of Tennessee accounting system

  • Knowledge of grant submission process and tools;

  • Knowledge of the University of Tennessee pre-award database system;

  • Knowledge of SharePoint for project management system and time entry;

  • Knowledge of The University of Tennessee Contract System

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Hybrid

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR14

• 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 AgResearch focuses the combined expertise of more than 600 scientists and specialized staff to help the state’s agricultural, forest, food processing, and wholesale nursery industries improve the profitability of their businesses. The results of applied AgResearch improve the quality of life for all Tennesseans by providing plentiful and affordable food and fiber products as well as conserve soil, water, air, and wildlife for the benefit of our society.

UT AgResearch has 10 AgResearch and Education Centers located across Tennessee, representing the state’s diverse climatic and geographical regions. These centers serve as outdoor laboratories where scientists can test their theories in real-world conditions. They also serve as classrooms for the University’s future scientists and for the state’s producers who can see firsthand research results that can benefit their operations.

Since its founding in 1968, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has provided instruction, research and public service in agriculture and related areas to students, producers and consumers in Tennessee and around the world. UT AgResearch is one of the Institute’s four units that include UT AgResearch, UT Extension, Hebert College of Agriculture, and College of Veterinary Medicine.

Business Officer Functions

• Direct and oversee the financial management of AgResearch including business operations, fiscal year-end closeout, restricted account monitoring, subcontract monitoring, cost sharing, policy interpretation, procedure development, effort certification,

• In conjunction with the Executive Director, prepare end-of-year entity-level financial reporting, THEC reporting, and federal financial reporting for federal appropriations.

• Ensure compliance with UT Fiscal and HR policies and interpret federal regulations including the Hatch Act.

• Approve new positions, employee salary changes, time, and non-competitive purchases in conjunction with the Executive Director.

• Oversee and administer the following business operations: Travel, UT Procurement Cards, Conflict of Interest, Non-Competitive Purchases and Contracts, Account Set-up and Maintenance, Equipment Inventory, and Internal Controls

• Develop and implement procedures and tools for the management of AgResearch business operations, including record retention and staff assignments

• Manage and report on two fiscal year-end closeouts annually - June 30 (state) and September 30 (federal).

• Manage AgResearch Salary Incentive Plan, including development of SIP policies and procedures, and approve applications and payout of bonuses.

Budgeting Functions

• Coordinate and administer AgResearch budget activities under the direction of the Executive Director, including original budget development, implementation of approved allocations, salary budget management, budget reporting and monitoring, revisions, projections, and financial analysis.

• Maintain a broad understanding of AgResearch financial operations to provide backup and continuity in the absence of the Executive Director.

• Allocate budget funds to UTIA Central Administration, AgResearch Dean's Office, eight departments and ten Research and Education Centers

• Forecast, project and plan financial aspects of AgResearch as part of the strategic planning team to guarantee accomplishment of research agenda and goals

• Provide direction and support to all Business Managers in time for the Institute’s annual budget hearings and budget development

Training and Problem Solving

• Counsel and direct deans, department heads, research and education center directors, and faculty on financial procedures and policy matters.

• Oversee training of departmental business managers, faculty, and their staff, department heads, research and education center directors and their financial staff, and faculty in the applicable areas of budget and financial management, fiscal and HR policy, University of Tennessee fiscal policies, federal guidance, and AgResearch procedures

• Oversee financial training for AgResearch Dean's Office financial staff

• Liaise with Treasurer, Controller's Officer, other University departments, outside agencies, the state of Tennessee, or the federal government to solve problems encountered by departmental bookkeepers, research and education center financial staff, faculty, department heads, deans, AgResearch accountants and staff

• Review requests for access to the ERP system for all Institute’s employees.

Federal Appropriation Functions

• Interpret and ensure compliance with the ever-changing federal regulations involving the Hatch Act of 1887, which covers federal capacity funds received by AgResearch annually. These funds are actual federal appropriations awarded directly to AgResearch by the federal government through the land grant system under the Hatch Act.

• Participate twice a year in a regional group of Southern Agricultural Business Officers to help set policy for the proper use and management of federally appropriated funds including Hatch, Hatch MultiState, McIntire Stennis, and Animal Health throughout the country.

• Develop and oversee the Federal Appropriation Project System database in SharePoint, which is used to manage federally mandated project system reporting.

• Oversee AgResearch use of the federal USDA Research Projects System (REEport) system, which is the backbone for creation and submission of UT's federal financial reports to USDA for $54 million in annual expenditures.

• Direct the financial management of federally appropriated funds, federal fiscal year October 1 to September 30, which involves project financial reporting for 140-plus federal projects, federal financial reporting, matching requirements, expenditure allocation submission of the Annual Plan of Work, and the Annual Report of Accomplishments

• Oversee AgResearch Work Plan System including requirements, authorizations required, information included, and policy guidelines;

• Oversee federal capacity NRS annual reporting and annual AREERA reporting for AgResearch and UTIA in collaboration with TSU as required by all Land Grant Institution states