Business Operations Manager

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Job ID
SC9993-0301-1655
Position Classification
FT Staff UDMPSSA (formerly MEA)
Position Summary
The E&S Business Operations Manager performs business and financial operations for the College of Engineering & Science, including, but not limited to, assisting with budget preparation and management, purchasing, payroll authorizations, creation of contracts, reimbursements, start-up fund support, grant spending support, and reports creation, support for hiring processes, liaising with Facilities, Finance and other university offices. This position also supports faculty, staff, and administrators with financial aspects of grants awarded to faculty and administrators within the College.
As with all staff positions in the College, this position also assists in the planning and execution of some college events.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Budget Development Coordination

• In conjunction with the Dean, E&S Department Chairs/Directors, and University Budget Office, develop and oversee the College budget formation for the College's (currently 11) budget areas.
• Maintain budget oversight for operational and restricted funds within the College.
• Conduct budget status reviews each semester with the Dean and Department Chairs/Directors.
• Review, communicate, and oversee financial/business management practices within the College.
• Track and maintain faculty start-up fund accounts. Provide training on university financial policies and regular communication with these faculty about their start-up funds.
• Work with the University Post-Awards office to assist faculty with managing their grant budgets.
• Advise the Dean on financial/business items needing attention and on improvements for operating efficiency.

Business Operations

• Execute day-to-day College business/financial activities.
• Create requisitions for creating purchase orders to authorize expenditures in the College. Support lab managers with the same. Ensure all purchases are in compliance with University policy.
• Verify and support the correct submission and required processes of documents for business/financial operations.
• Educate faculty and staff on University purchasing policies and provide alternative solutions and support when needed.
• Communicate in a timely manner with faculty, students, and staff regarding purchases.
• Reconcile College p-card transactions, monthly.
• Manage the creation of new vendors in the systems. Assist with creating and maintaining positive vendor relationships.
• Assist with working with Corporate Travel to make flight and hotel reservations for students & faculty traveling to conferences.
• Oversee orders for office and hospitality/event supplies for the dean's office and maintain inventory in an effort to reduce supply costs and improve efficiencies.
• Liaise with University's Finance Office and with external vendors to resolve any issues with payments or financial transactions.
• Manage and process payroll authorizations, stipends, tuition remission, check requests, reimbursements, advances, etc.
• Work with Grant Post-Award personnel to support faculty, staff, and administrators in the College with processes for grant spending.
• Act as the primary interface between the College of Engineering & Science and the University offices of the Controller, Budget, Purchasing/Accounts Payable, HR, and IT.
• Provide financial reports as needed. Complete annual salary surveys and reports.
• Maintain College-specific written policies and procedures regarding financial and Business Operations. Communicate business policies and procedures to faculty, administrators, staff, and students, and collaborate with central administration to roll out new processes.

Support College Human Resources and Building Operations

• Assist the Deans Office with managing staff search and hiring processes.
• Assist the Deans office with coordination of faculty search and hiring processes.
• Assist with onboarding for new personnel. Assist new employees with orientation to appropriate financial processes and procedures for the University and the College. Maintain employee contract records.
• Assist maintaining communications with Deans Office and Facilities around project and building issues.

Events & Miscellaneous

• Welcome and assist visitors, faculty, administrators, and staff who come into the Dean's office.
• Assist with conference room scheduling and meeting preparation, coordinating with food service, housekeeping, and facilities to ensure hospitality as needed.
• Performs other duties as needed or assigned.

Requirements
Minimum Qualifications

• Education - A college degree
• Employment - Two years to five years (Equivalent Combination of Education and Employment)

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant area.
• Business background preferred.
• Experience with Ellucian Banner ERP preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB),
• Demonstrated proficiency with Excel, including pivot tables, formulas, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Must be technically able to input and extract information from databases and prepare reports .
• Must be discrete, extremely well organized, able to multitask and prioritize. Must be diplomatic and collaborative.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to problem-solve and troubleshoot issues when appropriate.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced, multi-faceted work environment.
• Proactive and service orientation, including actively looking for ways to help students, faculty, and staff.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution, relationship building, boundary spanning, and teamwork
• Ability to work independently, as well as with students, faculty, and staff
• Ability to critically think and act as a team player and take initiative.

Physical Requirements
Job may require lifting light weight objects (1 to 10 pounds) with no repetitive bending or stooping. Occasionally lift average weight objects (1 to 10 pounds).
Work Environment
Regular exposure to favorable conditions such as those found in a normal office.
Licenses/Certifications
Commensurate with experience
Anticipated Schedule
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Michigan's largest, most comprehensive private University, the University of Detroit Mercy is an independent Catholic institution of higher education sponsored by the Religious Sisters of Mercy and Society of Jesus. The university seeks qualified candidates who will contribute to the University's mission, diversity, and excellence of its academic community. The University of Detroit Mercy is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer with a diverse student body and welcomes persons of all backgrounds.