Grants Business Manager: College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies - UTK

The Grants Business Manager serves as the college's primary business professional for sponsored projects, financial operations, and business administration within the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS). Reporting directly to the Director of Finance, Administration, and Operations (DFAO), this highly visible position provides leadership and oversight for grants and contracts administration while supporting college-wide unit-budgeting, financial planning, reporting, and operational excellence. The role extends well beyond traditional grants management by serving as a strategic financial partner to the DFAO that is responsible for maintaining the fiscal integrity of the college, improving business processes, and ensuring sound stewardship of university and sponsored funds.

As a trusted partner to the DFAO, the Grants Business Manager plays a critical role in supporting one of the university's fastest growing and most innovative colleges. The position exercises independent judgment in managing the full lifecycle of sponsored projects, gift administration, financial reporting, budget development, forecasting, financial dashboards, and compliance activities while providing quality assurance over college financial operations. The successful candidate will proactively identify financial risks, resolve complex issues, strengthen internal controls, and develop efficient business processes that support the college's continued growth and strategic priorities. This position collaborates extensively with faculty, staff, university leadership, ORIED, sponsors, and external partners to ensure exceptional customer service, operational effectiveness, and compliance with university, state, federal, and sponsor requirements.

The ideal candidate is an experienced business manager with strong expertise in grants administration, financial management, budgeting, and higher education business operations. This individual possesses exceptional analytical and organizational skills, sound financial judgment, and the ability to manage multiple complex priorities with accuracy and professionalism. The successful candidate thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, anticipates challenges before they arise, continuously seeks opportunities to improve operations, and is committed to providing outstanding financial stewardship, operational excellence, and strategic support that advances the mission and long-term success of CECS.

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.

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