Business Manager

Michigan Technological University; Houghton (MI); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work up to 20%

Job summary

Michigan Technological University seeks a Business Manager for the Advanced Power Systems Research Center (APSRC). This role leads the Center's business operations, tracks budgets, payroll, and procurement, and liaises with MTU and external partners to ensure financial health and compliance.

The role requires BS and MBA, executive HR leadership experience, and strong communication across diverse teams. Up to 20% remote work is possible in a hybrid setup.

Qualifications

• BS degree required.
• MBA preferred.
• Executive leadership experience in HR and operations.
• Ability to obtain US citizenship and security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee APSRC business operations and metrics.
• Manage budgets, payroll, and purchasing processes.
• Coordinate HR onboarding and contracts.
• Assist in pre- and post-contract activities, including audits.
• Plan and attend business conferences.
• Lead cross-functional teams and communicate across cultures.

Skills

Budgeting

Organizational skills

Written communication

Customer service

Emotional intelligence

Interpersonal skills

Cross-cultural communication

Independent work

Flexible schedule

HR leadership

Education

BS Degree

MBA

Tools

Concur

Cayuse

Job description

Ensured Consideration Date: October 13,2026

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan's flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.

The area's waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.

Summary

Michigan Technological University is seeking a Business Manager for our Advanced Power Systems Research Center. The Advanced Power Systems Research Center (APSRC) is organized into a matrix structure with vertical teams organized around technical areas of revenue generation, and horizontal teams organized around support function. Both the vertical and horizontal groups are staffed by Research Professionals.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

The Business Manager must be adept at a range of duties.

• 1. Manage the business side of APSRC. Including but not limited to, initially create and then track business metrics, [on a monthly basis] including revenue and expenses, acceptance rate on submitted quotes or proposals, potential revenue from contract projections, KPI's, and any other business metrics that will help direct more robust financial decisions.
• 2. Manage day to day business operation, including but not limited to, P card reallocation, payroll
• 3. Finance: Liaison to MTU, expense allocations, index balancing, CONCUR, travel vouchers, reimbursements, etc.
• 4. Purchasing: PR / PO, contractor agreement, service provider payment, receiving, order returns, add vendors, pay invoices, etc.
• 5. HR: APSIRE, onboarding, change forms, etc.
• 6. Pre Contract Award: budget review, proposal review, ACM quotes, Cayuse, contract negotiations
• 7. Post Contract Award: Interpret rules, review terms and conditions, agency reporting, budget modifications, PI changes, audits, closeout, etc.
• 8. Event planning for customers and APSRC staff.
• 9. Business Project management.
• 10. Attend business conferences, as necessary.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• * BS Degree
• * Master of Business Administration

Required Experience

• * A distinguished career of executive leadership directing comprehensive human resources strategy and institutional business operations.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• * Professional certifications in HR Field

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• * Demonstrated organizational skills, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• * Experience creating and following budgets.
• * Non-technical problem-solving skills.
• * Demonstrated ability to establish a plan to address non-technical issues.
• * Excellent written communication including PowerPoint.
• * Excellent customer service skills.
• * Exceptional Emotional Intelligence.
• * Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• * Hunger to learn and grow.
• * Professional humility.
• * Ability and willingness to work flexible hours on occasion, when needed.
• * Demonstrated ability to work independently without daily interaction with direct supervisor.
• * Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.
• * US citizenship.
• * Ability to obtain CUI security clearance.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• * The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate, but can be high for short periods of time in the shop. Hearing protection is provided when noise levels are high.
• * The employee may occasionally be required to travel

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Required University Training:

• * Employee Safety Overview
• * Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
• * Annual Data Security Training
• * Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:

• * Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%) 1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

The salary range for this position is $91,000 - $115,000. However, thefinal salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Title of Position Supervisor

Manager

Posting Type

Internal & External

Dependent on Funding

Yes

Additional Information

Up to 20% of work time may be considered remote.

This position is contingent upon the continued availability of external funding.

Full ensured consideration will be given to applicants who apply on or before October 13,2026

Other Conditions of Employment: Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.

In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.

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