Business Manager

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 2 years of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience in financial administrative operations, office management, or business support roles.
• Strong organizational, problem‑solving, and time‑management skills.
• Experience coordinating with vendors, service providers, and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Proficiency with office productivity tools, financial systems, and administrative databases.
• Demonstrated experience supporting budgeting or accounting processes.
• Experience with HR administrative processes and onboarding support.
• Familiarity with managing facilities, space planning, or office moves.
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.

Position Summary

The Business Manager performs and oversees a broad range of administrative, financial, operational, and business support functions for the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. This role serves as a central point of coordination for financial administration, department HR systems, and general office operations, including facilities and vendors, ensuring efficient day‑to‑day functioning and effective support of departmental goals.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Organizational and project coordination skills
• Financial and administrative accuracy
• Communication and stakeholder management
• Problem resolution and critical thinking
• Attention to detail and confidentiality
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently

Physical Demands

Typical office environment. Occasional light lifting (up to 25 lbs), walking, and reaching may also occur.

Duties/Responsibilities

Administrative & Operational Management

• Perform and oversee administrative functions and business processes supporting departmental operations.
• Functions effectively and professionally in high volume interactions with faculty, staff, students, upper administration, visiting scholars and others.
• Serves as the department liaison with administrative directors in similar units on campus and elsewhere.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders, external vendors, and service providers.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve day‑to‑day operational issues; escalate or coordinate solutions as needed.

Percentage of time: 10

Financial & Accounting Administration

• Manage or administer departmental accounting processes, including budgeting support and financial tracking of the unit’s research grants as wells as Graduate and Undergraduate programs, including creating and monitoring various subaccounts, laboratory budgets, summer salaries, academic/research POs, hiring and funding TA positions.
• Assist faculty in providing itemized budgetary statements for grants and other accounts.
• Timely management of grant award budgets, travel, and graduate assistantships.
• Participates in the development of the department budget including analysis of prior year commitment including funding sources, salaries and instruction program budgets.
• Processes payroll related activities and approvals.
• Financial and administrative support of study abroad programs
• Develops complex reports and records to aid the department head and others in analysis of the department financial status
• Process invoices, expense reports, reimbursements, petty cash, and time tracking in accordance with organizational policies.
• Maintain accurate financial records and assist with audits or financial reviews as needed.

Percentage of time: 50

Human Resources & Employee Support

• Provide direct administrative support for HR activities, including position management, job postings, hiring proposals, employee onboarding, interview coordination, and training logistics for new faculty, staff and students.
• Coordinates and assists with faculty searches and on campus interviews
• Serve as a resource for employees regarding administrative, onboarding, or procedural questions.
• Develops effective working relationships with the college, campus administrative, financial, and education offices including OVPR, OIE, faculty affairs and the graduate school
• Support departmental initiatives related to staff engagement, development, or compliance.

Percentage of time: 30

Systems & Data Administration

• Perform database or system administration tasks, including data entry, reporting, user support, and system upgrades.
• Maintain data accuracy and confidentiality across systems and platforms.
• Provide basic training or guidance to users on administrative systems or tools.

Percentage of time: 10