Business Manager

Center for Public Partnerships & Research; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 75,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Center for Public Partnerships & Research is seeking a senior financial leader to act as CFO for the KU School of Music, overseeing budgeting, planning, and reporting. You will guide resource allocation and ensure compliance with university, state, and donor requirements.

You will manage a multi-million dollar budget, lead a fiscal team, and advance policies, analytics, and training to promote transparency and accountability across the School of Music.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with related experience as listed.
• Three years of advanced experience with computer applications for fiscal operations.
• Two years of management or supervisory experience.
• Experience performing advanced accounting functions.
• Attention to detail and excellent written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage all funding sources to support objectives.
• Provide financial analysis to optimize allocations and sustainability.
• Advise on long-term sustainability and resource strategies.
• Develop multi-year projections and scenario analyses.
• Lead budget processes and prepare reports for leadership.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Associate's degree with 5 years related experience

High School diploma with 6 years related experience

Tools

Oracle Financials

Oracle Analytics Cloud (OAC)

One Source

Concur

Job description

Position Overview

The School of Music is experiencing continued growth and increasing fiscal complexity, requiring strategic financial leadership and disciplined resource management to support its academic and artistic mission. Ongoing university budget reductions and continued growth in academic programs and operations in the school make strong budget discipline essential.

This leadership position serves as the chief financial officer and principal fiscal advisor to the Dean of the School of Music. The role provides strategic leadership for financial planning, budget development, resource allocation, financial analysis, and fiscal policy implementation. Working collaboratively with School leadership, the position develops and implements financial strategies that advance the School's mission while ensuring compliance with university, state, and donor requirements. The position oversees all budgetary and financial operations of the School and supervises fiscal staff responsible for financial administration and reporting.

This leader will be responsible for overseeing a complex budget with annual spending of over $11.5 million with a various array of general use, restricted sources of funding. The role engages in strategic fiscal planning to support the School’s mission and oversees management of all fiscal operations.

Reporting to the Dean of the School of Music, the finance lead manages all fiscal resources for the School of Music. This individual is a member of and collaborates closely with the School of Music leadership team, including Associate Deans, Chairs, and other administrative leaders, playing a critical role in budget planning and execution to advance the School’s strategic initiatives, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and transparency. The finance role is responsible for fiscal analysis, reporting, and communication of complex financial data, collaborating with unit leaders to optimize financial resources in alignment with university and School goals and financial policy.

This role involves regular coordination with partner administrative units across KU, including the Budget Office, Operations, Information Technology, Procurement Services, Human Resources, KU Endowment, General Counsel, the Office of Research and the Office of the Provost. This role represents the School on internal and external fiscal affairs, acting as an expert resource.

Job Description

75% - Fiscal Services Strategic Leadership and Overall Management

• In consultation with School of Music leadership, plans and manages all sources of funding, including state, course fees, KU Endowment and grants to fund all operational and strategic objectives.
• Conducts in-depth financial analysis to maximize use of unit-level financial allocations to achieve university and unit goals, in the context of long-range sustainability and growth.
• Advises School leadership on long-term financial sustainability and resource allocation strategies.
• Develops multi-year financial projections and scenario analyses to support strategic planning initiatives.
• Leverages university systems to provide leadership in the use of administrative functions, including Oracle Financials, Oracle Analytics Cloud (OAC), One Source and Concur.
• Collaborates with School leadership in budget call and prioritization process and creation and management of annual operating budgets. Provides additional budget reporting as requested by School and University leadership including preparation of information supporting 4+8 / 8+4 planning processes.
• Oversees budget and expenditure activities and monitors budget to actual expenditure variances and investigates material changes as requested by leadership and the Budget Office.
• Leads fiscal management activities across the School of Music and ensures compliance with budgetary, procurement, and financial reporting requirements.
• Coordinates with the Kansas University Endowment Association on fund management, including signature authority, fund access, and expenditure appropriateness.
• In support of the Dean, the finance lead manages all student scholarship accounts to ensure funds are appropriately leveraged to benefit students and are compliant with fund guidelines.
• In support of the Dean, coordinates management of tuition planning, scholarships, course fees and all other student fiscal matters.
• Develops and implements financial training programs, tools, and resources to support faculty and staff compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Supports the School of Music HR Business Partner in coordinating fiscal impacts of personnel management.
• Prepares and presents financial analyses, forecasts, and budget reports to School and University leadership to support strategic decision-making.

10% External Reporting and Financial Oversight

• Provides oversight of all fiscal data collection and coordinates responses to surveys, accreditation needs and ad hoc information requests.
• Approves administrative endowment expenditures and HR transactions on behalf of the Dean.
• Conducts fiscal analysis for major purchases and internal program assessments.
• Completes fiscal reporting required by university and external entities.

10% - Staff Supervision

• Provides leadership, supervision, coaching, performance management, and professional development for fiscal and administrative staff.

5% - Other Duties

• Other duties may be assigned.
• Engages in personal professional development activities to stay abreast of financial policies, systems and tools in support of the University.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and 3 years of related experience OR Associate's degree and 5 years of related experience OR High School diploma and 6 years of related experience.
• Three years of demonstrated advanced experience with computer applications for fiscal operations, including experience in computer applications for financial analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex financial information to multifarious audiences as evidenced by application materials.
• Two years of management, supervisory experience and/or project team leadership.
• Experience performing advanced accounting functions as evidenced by application materials.
• Attention to detail and excellent written communication skills as evidenced by application materials.
• Excellent analysis and problem-solving skills as evidenced by application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with strategic planning and organizational budgeting.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with a varied audiences as shown in application materials
• Experience with Oracle FITC financial system, Oracle payroll system and OAC reporting system.
• Prior experience demonstrating knowledge of university and state rules & regulations regarding fiscal, payroll and personnel processes.

Advertised Salary Range

$75,000-$78,000

Anticipated Start Date

Monday October 5, 2026