Business Operations Manager

Business Operations Manager

The Business Operations Manager is responsible for the cross-functional management and administration of resources for the Department of Anthropology including, but not limited to, finance processes and operations, human capital, facilities, systems, and communication. Responsibilities include budgeting and financial administration, oversight of fiscal operations, human resources coordination, facilities and renovation management, graduate student support functions, and other administrative activities necessary to support departmental operations.

This role manages business operations and provides expertise in financial reporting, planning, budgeting, expense control, and revenue management. The Manager supports the Department Chair by providing sound financial management, effective budgeting and forecasting, and regular financial reporting and analysis. Key responsibilities include tracking financial commitments, managing fiscal processing (including procurement and travel), and completing monthly reconciliations of HR and financial transactions. The Manager collaborates with Human Resources to address staffing needs, oversees onboarding for new hires, and ensures appropriate staffing levels for Lecturers and Graduate Associates each semester. The Manager attends College and University level financial, HR, and/or operational office hours in order to stay up to date on changing policies and procedures.

The Manager serves as the Cost Center Manager, advising faculty, staff, visitors and students on policies and procedures, ensuring accurate reconciliation of departmental ledgers, and maintaining compliance with university financial policies. This role includes approving transactions, supporting external grant activity, and managing budget preparation and account maintenance.

Strong coordination with the Travel Office, Business Services Center, Vendor Management, and Accounts Payable departments is essential to the success of the department's engagement with international counterparts and vendors. This collaboration is necessary for, but not limited to, monitoring extended international research travel, and processing payments to both international vendors and research participants.

As a leader, the Business Operations Manager resolves operational issues, supervises staff supporting key functions including financial operations, office administration, and academic program services, and establishes performance expectations and benchmarks to promote efficiency and continuous improvement within the department.

Additionally, the Manager oversees the department's earnings operation, Forensic Anthropology Services & Training (FAST), which supports the forensic anthropology laboratory and body donation/curation program. Responsibilities include managing the financial and administrative operations of FAST, including revenue tracking, accounts receivable oversight, expenditure monitoring, online course registration through Nelnet, and customer billing in Workday. In collaboration with the College of Arts and Sciences Finance team, the Manager supports annual reporting activities and fee schedule reviews, ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures established by the Office of Business and Finance.

The Manager oversees the department's physical facilities and space operations, including office and laboratory renovations, upgrades, and maintenance. Working closely with Facilities Operations and Development (FOD), Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), and external contractors, the Manager coordinates projects from planning through completion and ensures the effective management of maintenance, custodial, and facilities-related needs within departmental spaces.

The Business Operations Manager provides operational leadership and coordination for departmental events and programs, including the department's seminar series and the annual Paul and Erika Bourguignon Lecture in Art and Anthropology. The Manager serves as the department's P-Card Manager and monitors student enrollment trends, providing data analysis and recommendations to support strategic planning, course scheduling, staffing decisions, and resource allocation.

Required/Desired Qualifications

Required Qualifications: Bachelor's Level Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience; minimum of 3 years of relevant business operations experience. Considerable experience using MS Excel.

Desired Qualifications: Proficiency with Workday; experience in managing budgets, financial reconciliation, advising leaders on operations and strategy, and financial decision making; supervisory experience preferred. 4 or more years of relevant business operations experience desired.

Additional Information:

The target hiring range for this job profile is $70,100 - $91,600. The offer for this position will fall within this range based on internal equity, the unit's available budget, and the candidate's qualifications.

Location: Smith Laboratory (0065)

Position Type: Regular

Scheduled Hours: 40

Shift: First Shift