Business Manager

Louisiana State University; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement options

Paid holidays

Tuition exemption

Job summary

Louisiana State University seeks a Business Manager to oversee budgets and administrative operations for the Office of Testing and Evaluation Services. The role includes supervising staff, managing cost centers, and ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures.

The position supports the Director, handles payroll and purchasing, and contributes to strategic financial planning and resource allocation within LSU guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of related experience.
• Experience managing budgets, financial transactions, personnel processes, or administrative operations.
• LSU values skills, experience, and expertise; a degree is not required as long as the candidate meets the required years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary financial and administrative advisor to the Director of OTES and provide leadership for the financial infrastructure of the department.
• Supervise the Accounting Specialist and provide direction, training, and professional development related to assigned financial and administrative responsibilities.
• Oversee budgeting, payroll, contracts, and purchasing within LSU policies and applicable regulations.
• Coordinate annual budget processes and monitor departmental financial activity throughout the fiscal year.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and external regulations and provide timely financial reports.

Skills

Budget management

HR administration

Financial analysis

Contract administration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title and Details

Business Manager Position Type: Professional / Unclassified Department: LSUAM AA - EM - CS - Testing & Evaluation Services (David B O'Brien (00006794)) Work Location: B0051 Robert Lee Himes Hall Pay Grade: Professional

Job Summary

The Business Manager provides budget oversight for all aspects of the Office of Testing and Evaluation Services (OTES), oversees departmental human resources and administrative functions, and supervises the Accounting Specialist. The position supports the Director in ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures related to budget, accounting, purchasing, contracts, payroll, and personnel. This position serves as the Cost Center Manager for OTES and provides general management of multiple restricted and unrestricted accounts. The role requires strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills, as well as the ability to manage multiple priorities and independently interpret and apply university policies and procedures.

Financial Management and Leadership (35%)

• Serve as the primary financial and administrative advisor to the Director of OTES and provide leadership for the financial infrastructure of the department.
• Supervise the Accounting Specialist and provide direction, training, and professional development related to assigned financial and administrative responsibilities.
• Serve as the Cost Center Manager for all OTES accounts including specialty accounts created for the Notary Exam and provide general management of multiple restricted and unrestricted accounts.
• Develop, monitor, and analyze departmental budgets; prepare budget projections, expenditure analyses, and financial reports to support planning and decision-making.
• Oversee the administration of budgetary aspects of all contractual accounts, including monitoring expenditures, commitments, balances, and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Coordinate the annual budget process and monitor departmental financial activity throughout the fiscal year to identify trends, variances, and potential issues.
• Provide recommendations to the Director regarding resource allocation, financial sustainability, and operational needs.
• Contribute to strategic discussions regarding OTES growth, resource allocation, and long‑term administrative planning.
• Ensure financial transactions and administrative activities are conducted in accordance with LSU policies, procedures, and applicable federal and state regulations.

Human Resources and Personnel Administration (35%)

• Serve as the primary interface for OTES HR matters and full‑time, contingent, transient, and student workers.
• Support the Director of OTES in all facets of personnel management, including hiring, placement, onboarding, training, and termination of employees.
• Oversee the administration of payroll for transient and student workers and ensure appropriate timekeeping, funding, appointments, and payroll processes are maintained.
• Provide guidance to supervisors regarding HR policies, procedures, employee documentation, position management, and personnel‑related processes.
• Coordinate personnel actions and ensure appropriate documentation and approvals are completed.
• Remain current on LSU HR policies and procedures and ensure departmental compliance and communicate relevant changes to OTES leadership and staff.

Purchasing and Resource Administration (15%)

• Oversee purchasing activities for OTES, including office fixtures, equipment, supplies, technology, and materials required for departmental operations and special projects.
• Ensure purchases and related transactions comply with LSU procurement policies, funding restrictions, approval requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Oversee annual expenditures within designated Student Technology Fee (STF) budgets and monitor spending against approved plans.
• Purchase and oversee building related needs, at times partnering with Facility Services to ensure facilities are functioning appropriately.
• Coordinate with appropriate university offices regarding purchasing, contracts, procurement, accounts payable, and related administrative processes.
• Assist with the development, administration, and monitoring of departmental contracts and service agreements.
• Oversee the assignment, funding, and administrative management of student workers in coordination with OTES supervisors.
• Identify opportunities to improve purchasing, resource allocation, and administrative processes for greater efficiency and fiscal responsibility.

Policy, Compliance, and Professional Development (10%)

• Maintain and disseminate to OTES staff relevant federal, state, university, and divisional policies and procedures pertaining to budget, accounting, purchasing, contracts, payroll, and human resources.
• Develop, maintain, and implement administrative procedures and internal controls that promote consistency, accountability, and compliance.
• Monitor changes to university policies and procedures and coordinate implementation within OTES.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and records to support financial, HR, purchasing, and contractual audits and reviews.
• Attend required training, business manager meetings, and professional development activities to remain current on university financial, HR, and administrative requirements.
• Serve as a resource to OTES leadership and staff regarding administrative processes and compliance requirements.
• Assist with emergency response protocols as needed and maintain compliance with LSU safety and care reporting procedures.

Additional Duties (5%)

• Other duties as assigned by the Director of OTES in support of operations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of related experience.
• Experience managing budgets, financial transactions, personnel processes, or administrative operations.
• LSU values skills, experience, and expertise. Candidates who have relevant experience in key job responsibilities are encouraged to apply— a degree is not required as long as the candidate meets the required years of experience specified in the job description.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, accounting, human resources, or a related field.
• Experience in a higher education environment.
• Experience with multiple restricted and unrestricted accounts.
• Experience with budget management, contracts, purchasing, payroll, and/or human resources.
• Supervisory experience.
• Our ideal candidate possesses the following qualities: Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related financial, HR, or administrative systems. Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and problem‑solving skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to LSU policies and procedures.

Special Instructions

Location: LSU-BR, not eligible for remote work.

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre‑employment background check.

Benefits

• Health, life, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Retirement options.
• Various leave options.
• Paid holidays.
• Wellness benefits.
• Tuition exemption for qualified positions.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Employee discounts.
• And more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment. Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university’s ability to employ individuals in certain positions.

LSU includes institutions, facilities and programs in each of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, and its campuses stretch the length of the state from New Orleans to Shreveport. Each institution plays a vital role in preparing students to incorporate new knowledge and technologies into their daily lives. LSU researchers across Louisiana are working on developing a wide‑range of innovations to improve quality of life by studying issues such as disease management, advance medical treatments, obesity, coastal protection, hurricane preparedness, energy, natural resource management and agriculture, among others. Louisiana’s Flagship University is a land-, sea- and space‑grant institution with academic programs in all areas of science, engineering, humanities, arts and social sciences. The University comprises of nine institutions: Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College (“LSU”), the premier flagship university for the state, which include the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and the School of Veterinary Medicine Louisiana State University at Alexandria Louisiana State University at Eunice Louisiana State University at Shreveport LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans LSU Health Science Center – Shreveport The Health Care Services Division Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Pennington Biomedical Research Center Any other college, university, school, institution, or program now or hereafter under the supervision and management of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College

In implementing its mission, LSU is committed to: Offering a broad array of undergraduate degree programs and extensive graduate research opportunities designed to attract and educate highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students; Employing faculty who are excellent teacher‑scholars, nationally competitive in research and creative activities, and who contribute to a world‑class knowledge base that is transferable to educational, professional, cultural, and economic enterprises; and Using its extensive resources to solve economic, environmental, and social challenges.