Business Operations Specialist 1 (498002)

JOB SUMMARY

The College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) Business Office, a part of the Dean’s Office, at the University of Connecticut, is seeking a dynamic and team-oriented leader, Business Operations Specialist 1, with creative energy to contribute to our culture that values community, inclusion, excellence, and strategic growth. The College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources (CAHNR) works to ensure a sustainable global future through research, teaching, and public engagement utilizing agricultural, health, and environmental sciences. The successful candidate will have demonstrated skill and experience in academic business operations and communication with a diverse group of people, including administrative professionals, faculty, and many others. The successful candidate will be open-minded, forward-thinking, and collaborative when addressing the needs of the CAHNR Business Office. 

The Business Office is an exciting, fast-paced, and complex environment with evolving needs. As a support unit, we are a service-minded team that fosters leadership, collaboration, diversity, equality, trust, respect, adaptability, and community. We provide expert financial and administrative services for the College. Our focus is on accuracy, accountability, availability, efficiency, professionalism, and integrity while adhering to federal, state, and University policies and regulations.

Under the limited supervision of the Assistant Director of the CAHNR Business Office, the incumbent will provide financial and administrative oversight to all units within the College including the CAHNR Business Office. This position requires an individual with demonstrated skill and proven experience in high-level administrative support, as well as leadership abilities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for the management of post-award, including budgets, payroll calculations, and other post-award activities (rebudget requests, no cost extension, cost transfer) and effort while verifying compliance with University and sponsor requirements.
• Serve as a liaison with Sponsored Programs Services, investigators, academic units, and other administrative offices and assist in the management of post-award budgets and accounts, including monitoring current projects and closeouts of completed projects for various units within the College.
• Following University policies, sponsor requirements, and state and federal requirements, identifies and assists with resolving grant and contract issues pertaining to budget, cost sharing, fiscal, administrative, and other similar matters.
• Manage, monitor, and validate faculty effort on sponsored projects, and recommend solutions to resolve commitment matters in a timely manner.
• Works to ensure compliance with funding agency guidelines for allowable costs, including salary, fringe benefits, purchase of equipment, matching funds required, etc.
• Prepare regular financial and trend analyses, including budget projections, in a timely and accurate manner. 
• Prepare financial and ad hoc reports to meet federal, state, University, and departmental requirements and provide regular updates to unit heads and faculty. 
• Serve as an advanced resource for departmental staff to ensure compliance with established administrative policies and procedures. Responsible for keeping up to date on and ensuring compliance with regulations, policies, and procedures related to purchasing, payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and travel. 
• Serves as a liaison between departments within the College and other University Offices on a variety of financial and administrative matters that are typically cyclical in nature, but can be complex.
• Monitor, track, and review financial records for accuracy and prepare reports on all fund sources as needed.
• Review and approve allowable expenses within budget limits.
• Provide cost analysis support on all internal fee-based programs including fee for service, as well as provide financial support to all internal entrepreneurial programs.
• May supervise and evaluate the work of other professional employee(s) and/or student labor employees.
• Represent the Business Office at regular college administrative meetings.
• Perform related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and two to three years of related experience OR equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Knowledge of financial, budgeting, or accounting practices and procedures.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, complex, multi-faceted office environment.
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting while regularly exercising judgment regarding administrative details and procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with proven ability to establish good working relationships with coworkers and a variety of constituents, inside and outside the University.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail, with a proven ability to expertly manage time and deadlines with multiple, competing priorities.
• Clear, positive, and professional written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and three to five years of related experience.
• Experience working in a fiscal operation in a higher education setting.
• Experience working with people from diverse academic, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve problems analytically, efficiently, and effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to display initiative with a strong work ethic and desire to succeed.
• Supervisory experience.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, permanent position. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #498002 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on November 17, 2023. 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.