CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

Working under the direction of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs and University Initiatives, the Business Administrator is responsible for the financial and administrative operations of the large and complex university initiatives portfolio. The APUI portfolio includes the FinTech Innovation Hub, the Center for Innovation in Lifelong Learning and Teaching – which includes four units(Academic Technology Services, Center for Teaching Assessment and Learning, UD Online, and Professional and Continuing Studies (which includes the access center, non-credit programs, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute)), and the Division of Enrollment Management.

The Business Administrator interacts with and serves as liaison for the units in the portfolio, and coordinates with the business administrator in enrollment management. The person in this role will work closely with the budget office to ensure the financial health of the portfolio units and align the portfolio with university level goals and mission.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist and advise the Vice Provost for Academic Programs and University Initiatives on fiscal, human resource, space, and procurement matters
• Manage the daily financial operations of units in the portfolio, with the exception of Enrollment Management
• Coordinate with the business administrator in the Division of Enrollment Management to ensure the financial operations of the unit are in line with broader portfolio goals and financial objectives
• Prepares and administers, in consultation with the Vice Provost, accounts and budgetary matters related to appointments and salary.
• Monitors expenditures, performs analyses, provides projections, and processes requisitions
• Oversees the budgets of all units in the portfolio, including basic budgets, endowments, discretionary funds, etc.
• Prepares projections for the portfolio and evaluates various planning scenarios as well as prepare and interpret financial reports for the Vice Provost
• Develop financial models and develop forecasts to interpret financial projections for the portfolio
• Manages annual BTA and year-end budget reconciliations
• Responsibility for obligations and expenditures for the budget and prepares monthly reports, analyses and projections about revenue and estimated expenditure, with recommendations for modifications
• Participates in audits of portfolio accounts
• Actively manages the portfolio and its units’ budgets
• Participates in the budgeting and implementation of special initiatives
• Provides accurate financial information to the Vice Provost and the reporting units in the portfolio
• Prepares and presents materials to summarize and justify unit/program budget requests, including data gathering/reporting and trend analyses in connection with budgetary formulation and administration.
• Assists the Vice Provost on operational and administrative matters; reviews, interprets, recommends, and/or implements financial policies; identifies and resolves issues regarding administrative and fiscal matters; develops systems to monitor academic and administrative deadlines; regularly evaluates portfolio administrative systems and services.
• Ensures accurate, compliant and efficient management of the portfolio procurement activities, including Concur and UD Exchange workflow processes and transactions.
• Ensures proper implementation of policies and procedures in the areas of finance and operations to ensure adherence to Federal and University policies. Interprets and provides guidance regarding University policies and procedures for the Vice Provost.
• Provides orientation and interpretation of University policies and procedures for new portfolio unit leadership.
• Partners with the portfolio leadership to implement strategic operational objectives, and new program initiatives.
• Regularly meet with the Vice Provost and portfolio leadership actively make recommendations regarding new administrative policies and procedures or changes and improvements to existing processes; develop and/or initiate new office forms and procedures.
• Manage fiscal affairs of the department, including budget creation/management planning, expenditure and costs analysis.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or other related field and five years of job-related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with budget preparation and management, financial reporting, administrative policies and procedures, and human resources management.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment and is excited to advance and share in the success of highly successful programs.
• Experience leading complex organizations and managing complex tasks.
• Experience using management systems, relational databases, spreadsheets and word-processing software programs.
• Effective organizational skills are essential.
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to interpret, adapt and apply guidelines and procedures.
• Ability to plan, organize, implement, evaluate and modify administrative support needs.
• Ability to gather and analyze statistical and financial data and generate ad-hoc reports.
• Ability to develop, plan, and implement new strategies and procedures, and be part of continuous improvement.
• Committed to fostering a positive workplace culture of belonging.
• Familiarity with UD accounting and financial systems preferred.