Business Administrator II

Iowa State University; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & Dental

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Onsite childcare

Life insurance

Wellbeing program

Job summary

The College of Design at Iowa State University seeks a qualified Business Administrator II to oversee the business affairs of assigned departments. This role works within the Administrative Services Office (ASO) and reports to the college's Fiscal Officer, collaborating with chairs, faculty, and students to support academic operations.

Responsibilities include managing cost centers and budgets in Workday, preparing financial reports, advising on expenditures, and coordinating scheduling and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience.
• Experience in financial management within higher education or a complex organization.
• Ability to explain financial information to faculty, staff and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage departmental cost centers, budgets, and financial transactions using Workday.
• Prepare and analyze budgets and financial reports; advise on expenditures.
• Approve expenses, reconcile accounts, and ensure policy compliance.
• Coordinate course scheduling, room assignments, and faculty records in Workday.
• Support chairs with meetings and follow-up on departmental matters.
• Assist with faculty searches, travel, and logistics.
• Coordinate promotions/tenure documentation and departmental policies.

Skills

Budget management

Workday experience

Financial reporting

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Workday

Job description

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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Eligible to Work

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?

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• 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

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

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.

Non-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity Contact

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 Compensation Information

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. Current employees (excluding temporary, student and graduate assistants) must apply through the Workday Internal Careers Hub.

About the University

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities. Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community. Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

Accommodations and Accessibility

Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [e-mail] or call [phone] or Toll-Free: [phone]. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or [phone].

Additional Compensation Information

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.