Asst Dir, Business Operations

Mississippi State University; Starkville (MS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Mississippi State University is seeking an Assistant Director to oversee the business operations of the Housing & Residence Life department, including purchasing, warehousing, inventory, student billing, reporting and database administration. The role directs staff, enforces internal controls, and collaborates with the Director for Business Operations to ensure compliant, efficient operations.

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or related discipline.
• At least 3 years directly related to university or general fund accounting and/or purchasing with strong management and communication skills.
• Knowledge of procurement procedures, university/state rules and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee purchasing/procurement, warehousing, inventory and student billing processes.
• Develop and enforce internal controls across all business functions.
• Supervise personnel; conduct training, evaluate performance, and handle staff actions.
• Prepare reports, analyses and recommendations for improvements.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, state and federal regulations.
• Maintain records for inventories and compliance activities.
• Coordinate contract negotiations with the university purchasing department.
• Serve as Database Administrator for the work order/asset/inventory system.

Skills

Procurement management

Warehousing

Inventory control

Student billing

Reporting

Database administration

Team supervision

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or other appropriate discipline

Tools

AiM/AssetWorks

BANNER system

Job description

Position Function:

Reporting to the Director for Business Operations and Guest Services for Housing & Residence Life, the Assistant Director is responsible for the management, supervision, and coordination of the business operations of the department, including purchasing/procurement, warehousing, inventory, student billing, reporting and database administration.

Salary Grade: 16

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide direction, management, and oversight of purchasing/procurement, warehousing, inventory, student billing, reporting and database administration.
2. Implement strong processes, procedures, and internal controls for all business functions, particularly the purchasing function. Oversee to ensure adherence.
3. Supervise & direct personnel, including work allocation, training, and problem resolution; evaluate performance and make recommendations for personnel actions; motivate employees to achieve peak productivity and performance.
4. Communicate regularly with the Director for Business Operations and Guest Services; prepare reports, special analyses, and information reports; present recommendations for changes and/or improvements.
5. Develop long and short-range plans, direct staff, promote consistent standards, and ensure applicable procedures are followed in all business functions.
6. Implement financial controls and ensures adherence for all business functions; ensure compliance with university policies and procedures, state, and federal regulations.
7. Audit & analyze financial reports for accuracy and conformance to university and departmental policies and procedures.
8. Coordinate and process personnel actions, as appropriate.
9. Develop and implement systems to maintain records on inventories and compliance activities.
10. Evaluate and/or negotiate contracts for the purchase of services in coordination with the university purchasing department.
11. Serves as Database Administrator for the work order/asset/inventory computer system.
12. Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or other appropriate discipline

Experience (yrs.): 3 years directly related to university or general fund accounting and/or purchase function with strong management and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

5 years work experience in a university setting with strong background in managing accounting and/or business operations & purchasing functions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
2. Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
3. Ability to analyze and solve problems.
4. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
5. Knowledge of accounting procedures involving procurement, University and state rules and regulations.
6. Skill using AiM/AssetWorks work order management system.
7. Knowledge of inventory systems.
8. Knowledge and understanding of business management principles and practices.
9. Skill using BANNER system.
10. Ability to develop and maintain record-keeping systems and procedures.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

1. No unusual physical requirements.
2. Requires no heavy lifting, and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
3. Frequent – Externally imposed deadlines; set and revised beyond one’s control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; irregular hours often anticipated; meeting of deadlines and coordination of unrelated activities are key to position
4. Job frequently requires walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands.
5. Job requires standing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, and lifting up to 10 pounds.
6. Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, [phone].

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at [phone] or [e-mail].

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at [phone] or [e-mail]. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.