"Business Manager"

Business Manager

Company: Virginia Tech

Job Location: Blacksburg, 24061

Category: Business and Financial Services

Type: Full-Time

Job Description

The business manager oversees and directs the administrative and financial affairs of the Department of Geosciences under the direction of the department head. Responsibilities include:

• Planning and managing department and sponsored research budgets, including allocating resources for administration and instruction, providing pre-award assistance on grant proposals (e.g., cost-sharing agreements), and monitoring, managing, and balancing the department's accounts and expenditures (salary, operating, research contracts and grants, indirect, teaching, startup, course fees, foundation, fixed assets, accounts payable and receivable).
• Reviewal and approval of orders and purchases, travel reimbursements, wage payroll, scholarships, and student assistantships.
• Preparing managerial and financial reports, including monthly reconciliations.
• Ensuring departmental compliance with university, state, and federal guidelines and fiscal policies.
• Supervising the administrative and support staff and all office administrative operations.
• Advising faculty, staff, and students on departmental and university policies, procedures, resources, and systems (including access and training).
• Making recommendations to the department head on fiscal, staffing, and operational management and serving as designated representative for signature authorization for the department head.
• Researching and solving problems, working with other business units within the university (including the College of Science), and ensuring a high level of public-facing service.

The Core Skills for a Successful Business Manager:

• Financial & Budget Management: Expertise in accounting principles, fiscal analysis, and business operations planning.
• Collaboration & Interpersonal Skills: Team-oriented approach, excellent communication, and ability to work respectfully in a student-focused environment.
• Higher Education Administration: Familiarity with grants policies, procedures, and compliance in an academic setting.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in spreadsheets, data management tools, web reporting, and word processing software.
• Leadership & Office Management: Experience supervising personnel and managing administrative operations.
• Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and planning abilities with attention to detail.
• Policy Interpretation & Communication: Ability to accurately apply and explain management and personnel policies.
• Organizational Skills: Capacity to handle a high volume of varied fiscal tasks efficiently and adapt to changing priorities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting or related field or equivalent level of training and/or experience.
• Knowledge of principles of financial, budget, and business operations planning and management and general accounting, with the ability to analyze, summarize and present information as needed.
• Experience in finance and administration in higher education, including grants policies and procedures.
• Advanced software skills in using spreadsheets and data management software, web reporting, and word processing.
• Experience in a personnel supervisory role and office management.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills, with an attention to detail and adaptability and significant experience handling a large volume of varied fiscal management tasks.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and communicate management and personnel policies accurately and effectively.
• A collaborative, team-based approach to problem solving, strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, the ability to interact respectfully and comfortably with all individuals, and a desire to work in a student-oriented academic environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of Virginia Tech Financial and Human Resources policies and procedures.
• Experience working with university tools and applications such as Banner, MicroStrategy, HRIS, Labor Redistribution System, Banner Time Entry, Departmental Leave Reporting, HokieMart, and Chrome River.
• Experience and knowledge of OSP policies and procedures; including pre-award, post-award, SUMMIT System, OSP Award Management Tool.

Pay Band 4

Overtime Status Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type Regular

Salary Information $70,000-$80,000 - commensurate with experience

Hours per week 40 hours/week - exempt position

Review Date January 14th, 2026

Additional Information

Please submit a current resume, a one page cover letter and a list of three professional references with their preferred contact information to complete your application.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Sharon Collins at sharon72@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

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