"Business Manager"

Job Description

Business Manager

Job ID: 295777
Location: Georgia College & State Univ
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is the state's designated public liberal arts university, where students learn the essential skills to compete in a fast-paced and technology-driven global society. The university prepares students for successful careers, leadership in communities, problem solving and life-long learning through personalized attention in a residential setting with opportunities for a variety of transformational experiences through its award-winning, high-impact practices. One of only three selective universities within the University System of Georgia and a top 10 ranked public university in the Southeast, GCSU offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors, more than 30 graduate programs, doctorates in education and nursing, professional certificates, and continuing education programs.

As a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), GCSU is committed to fostering a liberal arts environment that values academic preeminence, interdisciplinary inquiry and an inclusive learning community. GCSU enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and nationally ranked programs according to US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Colleges of Distinction - among other ranking sources.
Georgia College & State University takes great pride in combining the educational experience of a private liberal arts college with the affordability of a public university. Faculty and staff are dedicated to student engagement and experiential learning through high-impact practices such as internships, service- and community-based learning, leadership development, study abroad opportunities, mentored undergraduate research and a capstone project that fosters intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry and critical thinking.

The university's beautiful and historic campus is located downtown in Milledgeville, Georgia, a charming college town of approximately 19,000 residents in Central Georgia, and only 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also the home of noted American author and alumna, Flannery O'Connor, '45, and the college community enjoys many exciting literary arts programs at O'Connor's former home, Andalusia, a National Historic Landmark owned by the university. Milledgeville is located on the banks of beautiful Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, allowing faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of the environmental and recreational benefits of being part of a lake community. For cultural, educational and leisure opportunities beyond Milledgeville - Macon and Atlanta are located within easy driving distances.

Georgia College & State University is dedicated to protecting academic freedom in addition to supporting freedom of expression as outlined in the University System of Georgia's Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom policy and its Ethics Code of Conduct. For more information, visit us online at gcsu.edu.

Job Summary

The Business Manager is responsible for the financial stewardship and business operations of the Institute for Leadership and the Public Good. Reporting to the executive director, the business manager oversees budgeting, accounting, procurement, financial reconciliation, and operational processes that ensure the Institute's resources are managed effectively and responsibly. A significant portion of the position involves managing expenses related to international travel, including education-abroad programs, faculty-led initiatives, and global engagement activities, ensuring full compliance with university, state, and international financial requirements. The business manager also administers the Institute's events platform, Cvent, supporting the planning and execution of programs, conferences, and public events. The business manager works collaboratively with the Institute's staff, faculty, fellows, and external partners in advancing the Institute's mission within the university and throughout Georgia.

Responsibilities

Events Platform Management - 30

The business manager oversees the administration and daily operation of the Institute's Cvent events management platform. This includes building event websites, configuring registration pathways, managing participant communication workflows, coordinating payment and invoicing functions, and ensuring data accuracy. The incumbent develops timelines and project plans for event execution; collaborates with program staff, vendors, and institutional partners; monitors analytics for evaluation and improvement; and serves as the Institute's primary Cvent trainer and support resource.

Budget Planning - 10

The business manager assists in maintaining a mixed budget portfolio that may include state appropriations, tuition returns, sales and service revenue, agency funds, annual giving, callable funds, and endowment gains. The business manager collaborates with the executive director to develop a consolidated, strategically aligned unit budget and supports planning with financial analytics. The business manager is responsible for:
- Developing budget templates and financial reporting tools that support clarity, transparency, and ease of decision-making.
- Forecasting revenue streams and projected expenditures to support short- and long-term planning.
- Assisting in drafting annual business plans and five-year financial projections in compliance with State reporting requirements.
- Making informed recommendations on resource allocation, operational efficiencies, and potential program investments.

Financial Compliance and Process Stewardship - 15

The business manager ensures that all financial and operational processes align with university, Board of Regents, and State of Georgia policies. The incumbent develops, improves, and documents internal business processes; maintains secure and organized financial records; and supports periodic financial reporting requirements. The business manager proactively identifies opportunities to strengthen internal controls and recommends process improvements that enhance efficiency, accountability, and service quality.

Accounts Payable and Procurement - 15

The business manager processes payments, including invoices and purchasing card reconciliation, and ensures that vendor communication and payments occur in accordance with relevant policies and timelines. The incumbent monitors spending to ensure activities remain within budget and forecasts financial results throughout the year. The business manager manages procurement processes, including purchase orders, vendor onboarding, honoraria, speaker agreements, and service contracts, ensuring compliance with university and State procurement guidelines.

Accounting and Reconciliation - 25

The business manager performs monthly, quarterly, and annual reconciliation of accounts to ensure accuracy and accountability in financial reporting. They prepare standard monthly journal entries, analyze account variances, and provide clear, actionable explanations for management review. The business manager ensures that financial records are maintained in accordance with university, Board of Regents, and State of Georgia requirements, serving as the primary point of contact for internal and external audit requests.

Additional Duties - 5

The business manager performs additional duties in support of the mission and operations of the Institute for Leadership and the Public Good, as assigned by the executive director. The incumbent participates in staff and committee meetings as appropriate and provides recommendations to improve processes, strengthen programs, and enhance the effectiveness of institute initiatives.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

A bachelor's degree.

Other Required Qualifications

Demonstrated experience in financial reconciliation, budgeting, accounting support, or business operations in a professional environment.
Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously in a role requiring strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills.

Required Experience

3 years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications

A master's degree in business administration, public administration, finance, accounting, or a related field.

Preferred Experience

Experience working with university financial systems, public-sector budgeting, grants or foundation stewardship, or procurement processes.
Experience administering or managing event registration platforms, particularly Cvent, is highly desirable.
Experience coordinating business processes in a unit with multiple funding streams.

Proposed Salary

This position is a pay grade 9. The available salary range is $52,880.00 to $66,000.00. Starting salary within this range is based on relevant years of experience.

For more information about GCSU compensation practices, click here: https://www.gcsu.edu/humanresources/pay-grade-structure.

Required Documents to Attach

• Cover Letter
• Resume / CV
• List of References

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

• Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment about when to consult leadership
• Ability to recognize interdependencies across business processes and to collaborate productively with colleagues, faculty, external partners, and vendors
• Ability to scope the length and complexity of tasks and projects; set objectives and goals; break down work into process steps; measure performance against goals; and evaluate results for process improvement
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, ensure data accuracy, and manage deadlines with consistency and professionalism

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of financial reconciliation processes, budget planning principles, and accounts payable procedures
• Familiarity with procurement standards, compliance requirements, and vendor coordination
• Understanding of the management of mixed funding portfolios and the ability to interpret financial policies and guidelines issued by the University System of Georgia and the State of Georgia

SKILLS

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear financial reports and explain budget or reconciliation outcomes
• Mastery of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, and PowerPoint, with advanced skill in Excel and Outlook delegation, and the ability to use shared drives and digital workflow tools
• Skill in event platform administration (preferably Cvent), including building registration workflows and managing participant data
• Skill in managing core business and office functions, including scheduling, vendor communication, payment processing, and documentation in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is committed to the fundamental principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every prospective and current employee. No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination, under any program or activity conducted by GCSU.

Georgia College & State University is a national award-winning institution in areas of student success and achievement. It strives to achieve excellence in the composition of its community, educational programs, university policies, research and scholarship, campus life, employment practices, extracurricular activities, and community outreach. It is a priority of the university to be a welcoming and inclusive environment so that its campus culture will enhance the ability of its community members to succeed in their endeavors, to be respected as individuals, and to feel a sense of belonging.

Other Information

This is not a supervisory position.
This position has financial responsibilities.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is not considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position will not travel
This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

• Credit Check
• Criminal Background Check
• Education Verification
• MVR Check

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6991019