Business Manager

Job Description The School of Natural Resources invites applications for the position of Business Manager. This position assists the School’s Director in overseeing and administering the fiscal, office operations, human resources, and data management responsibilities of the School of Natural Resources. As delegated by the Director, this position carries full signature authority for specific fiscal and human resource related matters. Primary functions of the position include budget and financial management, post-award management, overseeing human resources and payroll operations, and data management: Responsibilities Approving financial accounting transactions at the school level including but not limited to: transfers, contracts, invoices, procurement cards, miscellaneous reimbursements, and travel expenditures Preparing annual budgets for the School of Natural Resources and review allocations with Director for each fiscal year Representing SNR at budget meetings Coordinating with three budget directors on appropriate use of funding, reimbursements and distributions throughout year Management and oversight of all SNR accounts including state-appropriated accounts, start-up accounts, seed accounts, endowed and non-endowed gift accounts, income accounts, and research accounts Create and distribute all internal SNR awarded funding (internal order numbers) to appropriate faculty and facilitate appropriate tracking of expenditures Ensure fiscal compliance on all transactions in and out of SNR while verifying appropriate documentation justifies expenditures Serving as financial policy and procedure resource Monthly reconciliation of principal investigator’s (PI) accounts and distribute for approvals in a timely manner Meet with faculty to review their accounts and make accurate spending plans for future endeavors Management and oversight of summer school projections as well as revenue and expenses to determine if enrollment and pay criteria have been met and to determine financial viability of the classes Evaluating all SNR accounts to determine need for fiscal year carryover Gathering financial data and preparing reports Ensure tuition and course fees are accurately accounted for and distributed Supervising and coordinating accounting/bookkeeping activities of SNR Preparing reports on budget expenditures & projections, research productivity, etc., for Director’s use for decision-making purposes Solving a wide range of financial and business-related problems Collecting and analyzing data necessary for annual budget preparation & reporting, and routine annual audit assessments Requirements Sponsored Projects Accounting & Management - In conjunction with the research offices, this position plays an important role in assisting faculty in the formulation of research project budget submittal to assure departmental guidelines and funding agency and sponsored projects accounting compliance requirements are met, including: Review and approve proposals in absence of the school’s Director Assist faculty with proper budgeting justifications Meet with faculty to discuss detailed budgeted balances and projected spending plans Review documents in Cayuse and related systems for allowability while reviewing charges Review the proposed budget in Cayuse and expedite the approval process of the budget proposal and budget justification Review the contract requirements and verify posted budget Complete the advanced account form and forward to Pre-Award Review and amend the approved budget with appropriate paperwork Create initial No-Cost Time Extension Requests with PI and submit to Office of Research for processing Provide documentation for financial transactions Manage payroll for personnel on projects as directed by the period of performance Monitor financial reports including cost share requirements Process requests from Post-Award to provide budget justification and remove unallowable expenses Conduct subrecipient monitoring including approval of subcontractor invoices Work with Post-Award to ensure accuracy of final invoice and close out documentation Review retention polices for accurate disposal of sponsored financial information Assisting PIs with required financial reporting and final closeout of awarded grants and contract Interfacing with the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects Accounting as necessary Preparing research project statistical and cost analyses as required by external sponsors Human Resources/Payroll Operations/Data Management Review and approve personnel actions for faculty, staff, and students within SNR including hiring, terminations, retirements, resignations, pay funding changes, and position transfers Review and approve bi-weekly time entry for all non-exempt employees within SNR Create and review biweekly and monthly payroll labor distribution reports Calculate Faculty Salary Incentive Plans (SIP) and ensure proper distribution to faculty per UT Policy Review and approve key and card access requests for faculty, staff and students via appropriate systems Act as backup parking representative for the school Supervise Federal Work Study student employees Compiles expenditures for the director’s annual submission of the Southern Forestry Schools’ comparative data survey Compiles information for the annual Funds and Manpower reports Completes the annual Self-Assessment of Controls report Assists in compiling information for the school’s five-year review Creates and maintains the school sponsored programs contract folders through project close-out Performs additional financial reporting as needed for the director, faculty, and budget directors Various other duties as assigned Qualifications Required Qualifications A bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting, or related field with a minimum of four years of progressively responsible and relevant experience knowledge of standard accounting principles and sponsored programs grant management communication and interpersonal skills to work with a variety of stakeholders; excellent organizational skills excellent writing, grammar, and proofreading skills decisiveness and extensive problem-solving skills competence with common office and database software ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage multiple projects to meet required timelines. Preferred Qualifications A Master’s degree in business management with 4 or more years of financial work history at a comprehensive research university A working knowledge of Concur Dash or equivalent enterprise resource planning system. Work Location Location: Knoxville, TN Onsite, Hybrid, or Remote: Onsite Compensation And Benefits UT market range: 11 Anticipated hiring range: $55k-$95k Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here Find more information on UT Benefits here About The School Of Natural Resources The School of Natural Resources is the comprehensive natural resources program in the state of Tennessee, consisting of 36 teaching, research, and extension faculty, 16 professional staff members, 9 administrative staff members, and more than 350 students. The school’s mission is to advance the science and sustainable management of natural resources to promote their health, utilization, and appreciation in Tennessee, the region, and beyond through programs in teaching, research, Extension and outreach. About Us 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 to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr