Business Administrator II

Iowa State University; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement benefits

Generous vacation and leave plans

Onsite childcare (Ames, IA)

Life insurance

Wellbeing program

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Iowa State University’s College of Design seeks a qualified Business Administrator II to oversee business affairs and operations of assigned departments. This role reports to the college's Fiscal Officer and collaborates with chairs, faculty, and students to ensure efficient financial and administrative processes.

This position involves managing budgets in Workday, supporting scheduling, hiring, scholarships, and policy adherence, requiring multitasking and strong communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience
• Experience with financial management in higher education or similar complex environments
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to faculty, staff, and stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Manage departmental cost centers, budgets, and financial transactions in Workday.
• Coordinate course scheduling, room assignments, and faculty/instructor records in Workday Student.
• Support department chairs with meeting coordination, policy guidance, and departmental matters.
• Process graduate student hiring, assistantships, scholarships, and faculty searches.

Skills

Budgeting

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Workday

Job description

Required Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience

Position Title

Business Administrator II

Job Group

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience

Job Description

The College of Design seeks a qualified Business Administrator II to oversee the business affairs and operations of assigned departments.

The Departmental Partner plays a pivotal role within the Administrative Services Office (ASO) of the College of Design. This position provides a unique opportunity to apply a variety set of skills and significantly influences the operation of our departments. The ASO values the unique contributions of each team member and encourages an atmosphere that nurtures growth and professional development.

This role reports to the college's Fiscal Officer and collaborates closely with chairs, faculty, and students. It involves a range of administrative duties crucial to the success of our academic efforts. It requires an adaptable, collaborative, and communicative individual proficient in multitasking.

Examples Of Duties

Budget and Financial Management

• Manage departmental cost centers, budgets, and financial transactions using Workday, including state, course fee, and foundation funds.
• Prepare and analyze budgets and financial reports; advise department chairs on expenditures tracking, budget comparison, and financial decisions.
• Approve expenses, reconcile accounts, and ensure compliance with university financial policies and procedures.

Administrative and Departmental Support

• Coordinate course scheduling, room assignments, and faculty/instructor records in Workday Student.
• Support department chairs with meeting coordination and follow‑up on departmental matters.
• Facilitate departmental voting and provide guidance on college and university policies and procedures.
• Process graduate student hiring, assistantship appointments, scholarships.
• Support Department faculty searches through job postings, candidate travel, scheduling, and logistics.

Faculty and Student Support

• Serve as a resource for faculty regarding departmental policies, procedures, and administrative matters.
• Coordinate faculty promotion and tenure documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Experience in financial management, including monthly account reconciliations, budget oversight, expense monitoring, and financial reporting.
• Proven ability to explain and interpret financial information, policies, and procedures to faculty, staff, and other stakeholders to support informed decision‑making.
• Experience in a higher education or similarly complex organizational environment, with the ability to learn and navigate financial, academic, and administrative policies and procedures.
• Experience providing administrative support in an academic or organizational setting, including personnel and student employment processes, scheduling and course coordination, scholarship or financial assistance administration, and faculty support.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Why Choose Iowa State University?

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long‑term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [e-mail], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type

Regular

Number Of Months Employed Per Year

12 Month Work Period

Time Type

Full time

Pay Grade

PS808

Original Posting Date

November 9, 2026

Posting Close Date

November 19, 2026

Job Requisition Number

R20151

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.