The Department of Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville chem.utk.edu invites applications for a regular, full-time business manager (staff) position. The Business Manager manages the financial activities of the Department of Chemistry and ensures that these activities are in compliance with applicable university, state, and federal policies, regulations, and laws. He/she supervises the staff of the business office, which handles all ordering, shipping and receiving of equipment and supplies for the department, completes time entry and effort certifications for employees of the department, and performs financial accounting for departmental accounts, including all grants and contracts in the department. The business manager is the liaison with the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Sponsored Projects Accounting and the Controller’s Office with regard to matters of finance and accounting for the Department of Chemistry. He/she oversees accounts payable and receivable in the department. The Business Manager reports directly to the Administrative Manager of Chemistry. The Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee is seeking candidates who have the ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the University. The review of applications will begin February 15, 2021 and continue until the position is filled.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Oversee the E/G budget and accounts for the Department of Chemistry; regularly report on the financial status of these to the Administrative Manager, who provides direction on Departmental spending and priorities. Generate financial reports from multiple databases.
- Provide supervision, training and direction of the business office staff in the Department of Chemistry. Maintain accurate account records of departmental and research accounts.
- Review that expenditures on both departmental and research accounts are within budget and follow university policy. Advise the administrative manager and/or principal investigator {Pl) when variances are found.
- See to it that payment for goods and services are completed in a timely manner and that goods received match those ordered. Maintain business office and equipment inventories.
- Work effectively with the department administrative manager and main office in creating and modifying positions, appointment of new employees, promotions, pay changes and termination of employees in the department. Oversee the collection, maintenance of records, and submission of time entry to payroll for employees of the department.
The business office oversees ordering, shipping and receiving of equipment and supplies for the department. It also assists faculty with submission of proposals for research, education and outreach activities and maintains accounting and records of grant and contract funds and expenditures when awarded. The business manager, as the supervisor of this unit, is responsible for all of the above activities.
Together with the administrative manager and faculty Pl’s, the business manager reviews expenditures and see that they fall within budgeted and allowable usage of grant and university funds. He/she works with the Office of Research and Engagement and the Office of Sponsored Programs and Sponsored Projects Accounting to coordinate submission of proposals and accounting of grants awarded.
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the
ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, telephone 865-974-2498. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity.
Qualifications / Minimum Requirements:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business management, CPA or related business
Required Experience: Five years business management with three years supervisory experience
Preferred Experience: Experience monitoring contracts for accounting compliance in an academic or other dynamic environment. Experience working in a research-intensive environment.
Job Skills:
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Expertise in MS office suite including: Word, Excel, Outlook and Access.
• Proficiency in IRIS(SAP) financial accounting or equivalent software.
• Have good office organization, accounting and management skills
• Be able to interact with a diverse group of scientists from many different cultures and work with them in a mutually respectful, cooperative manner.
• Have good judgement, be able to evaluate and implement work priorities, be able to multitask and still pay attention to detail.
• Be able to assess strengths and weaknesses of business office staff and utilize these for effective operation of the office
• Be reliable in attendance and professional in interactions with people within and outside the department.
Applicants must apply through the UT HR website: https://hr.utk.edu/staff-positions/
For full consideration, your online application should include cover letter, resume, and names with contact information (phone and email address) for three references.