"Senior Business Operations Coordinator"

Position Details

University of Colorado | Denver

Official Title: Business Services Senior Professional
Working Title: Senior Business Operations Coordinator
FTE: full-time 1.0 (100%) FTE | Hybrid
Salary Range: $66,600 - $68,254
Position #00803412- Requisition #39040

About the University of Colorado - Denver

Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We're the state's premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top ranked bachelors, master's, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners-at any stage of their life and career-for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state's largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $800 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.

Job Description

The Senior Business Operations Coordinator will manage all aspects of day-to-day operations of the Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Department and ensure smooth operation, including supervising the department's administrative staff and substituting for other administrative staff as necessary. This position will support the graduate programs (certificate, M.S., and Ph.D.), develop processes for efficient operations of the programs, and support graduate students. The position will provide fiscal support to manage the department finances, including operating budgets, auxiliary accounts, gift accounts, graduate program accounts.

What you will do:

Department Operations

• Apply, disseminate, and lead the implementation of policies to guide faculty, staff and student employees in office, HR, Finance, and procurement processes; provide departmental training to faculty and staff regarding university policies and department procedures; develop and maintain department training materials and guides. Maintain detailed and accurate knowledge and records of department operations and processes. Develop processes for managing the department office operation, improves organization of the department office. Consult and notify constituents of changes that would affect them before the changes happen (if possible)
• Supervise permanent office staff (Administrative Assistant III) and department student employees. Hire, onboard, train, and direct student workers. Ensure all staff have the training and system access they need for delegated responsibilities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for questions from students, faculty, staff, and the public. Direct inquiries to the appropriate university office and act as liaison to resolve issues when needed.
• Meet with chair to provide operational updates, discuss personnel or process concerns, and recommend solutions.
• Develop short- and long-range plans that align departmental operations with projected needs and future growth.
• Respond to in-office emergencies by determining an appropriate course of action and promptly contacting needed support.
• Manage and maintain, the department website and social media content, including postings, newsletters, and internal communications.
• Liaise with the CLAS Dean's Office and other campus partners such as the FCQ Office, Procurement, ISSS, and the Bursar.
• Oversee departmental IT needs, including troubleshooting issues and coordinating with CLAS IT for support, hardware setup, maintenance, and equipment updates.
• Manage all rooming requests both proprietary and EMS request. Submit WebSpace reporting to CLAS. Coordinate with facilities, security, maintenance, and housekeeping on floor needs. Maintain the departmental Access Matrix, manage access procedures and records, and oversee key distribution. Handle floor incidents and work with appropriate university offices to ensure resolution.
• Oversee purchasing and inventory for supplies, furniture, and equipment.
• Plan and coordinate department-sponsored events such as end-of-semester celebrations, graduate orientation, poster sessions, prospective student lunches, and new hire meals.

Department Budget Management and Fiscal Operation

• Analyze and project the department's annual budget based on program costs and operational needs. Review findings with the Chair, set the annual operating budget, and allocate expenses accordingly.
• Track and manage additional department budgets, including PT Instructional, ICR, Gift Fund, Computer Replacement, ICB, CU Succeed programs.
• Process tuition and insurance support payments for funded graduate students.Reconcile monthly budget activity and line items. Prepare annual and end-of-project financial reports. Identify errors or concerns and collaborate with CLAS Finance to make corrections and reallocate funds.
• Advise faculty and staff on financial compliance requirements. Develop and update departmental financial guidelines and create resources to support consistent practices.
• Process and track payments using SPOs, Payment Vouchers, Non-Catalog Forms, etc. This includes payments to independent contractors, honorariums, and other goods and services not available through CU Marketplace.

Graduate Program Support

• Provide operational support to the Graduate Director, Director of Statistical Programs, and Graduate Committee, and coordinate actions with the Graduate School.
• Maintain graduate student records and required documentation, including exam forms, defense reports, graduation paperwork, exam announcements, and PhD preliminary exam coordination.
• Monitor and report on current student statuses, including: number of currently enrolled students; graduate student progress coordinate faculty assessment reports.
• Prepare graduate student progress letters.
• Coordinate logistics and operations for advising day.
• Assign and manage office space for graduate students.
• Provide enrollment permissions for prerequisite overrides.
• Coordinate student appointments, including: TA funding offer letters; Bateman Teaching/Fellowship award letters and processing; preparation of appointment letters and HR entries for graduate student TA, GPTI, GA and RA appointments.
• Serve as a key contact for graduate program inquiries from students, faculty, staff, and the public. Direct questions appropriately and coordinate issue resolution with university offices when needed.

Department Development

• Foster a workplace culture where people feel respected, supported, and valued, and where varied perspectives strengthen the department's work and mission.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in liberal arts and sciences, business administration, finance, accounting, education, social sciences, healthcare administration, public administration, communications, information systems, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
• Two (2) years of professional level experience managing, administering, or coordinating department-level office and business operations, including HR/payroll processes and budget management.
• Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing and implementing work processes.
• Experience working in a higher education environment.
• Experience managing, tracking, analyzing, and reconciling multiple budgets.
• Experience using HCM or similar human resources management systems and/or experience with CU Data or similar budgeting/data information systems

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to implement policies and decisions; and ability to lead projects to completion.
• Ability to manage a team, provide clear direction to staff, and cultivate a respectful and collaborative work environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the department and the institution.
• Outstanding customer service skills.

Conditions of Employment

This position follows a hybrid work structure where employees can work remotely or from the office, as needed, based on demands of specific tasks or departmental work preferences. Working from the office is encouraged when working on tasks that require a high degree of collaboration.

Mental, Physical, and/or Environmental Requirements

This position may be performed in a hybrid or remote environment, requiring the ability to work effectively in a remote setting. This includes maintaining a dedicated workspace free of excessive noise or distractions, reliable internet connectivity, and the ability to participate in virtual meetings for extended periods. Employees must be able to independently manage time, remain stationary for prolonged computer-based work, and transport necessary equipment (such as a laptop and peripherals) between their remote work location and the office as needed.

Required Application Materials

To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:

• A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications
• A current CV/resume
• List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references)

Questions should be directed to Florian Pfender, Search Committee Chair, at florian.pfender@ucdenver.edu.

Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by Mar 5, 2026, 11:59:00 PM. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.