Business Manager - Dept/Unit

University of Georgia; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Georgia in Athens seeks a Business Manager to support the Center for Applied Isotope Studies, assisting the Director with daily operations, financial management, HR, payroll, and compliance across university, state, federal, and USG/BOR regulations.

The role oversees the Business Office, handles sponsored projects, personnel, and reporting, and leads staff, ensuring policy interpretation and efficient operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as departmental HR and payroll representative.
• Process budget and direct retros.
• Process, approve, and reconcile payroll for all pay groups.
• Record benefits costs.
• Utilize UGAJobs to review, approve, and post non-faculty positions; modify position actions; seat/unseat current students, graduate students, and temporary employees.
• Coordinate all new hire and termination paperwork and training for department.
• Process tuition waivers for Graduate Research Assistantships.
• Create secure, confidential personnel files, Workers' Comp, and FMLA.
• Create separation notices and exit interview forms.
• Coordinate with Office of Global Engagement on employee and student immigration services.
• Initiate and/or Approve all financial transactions within UGA Financial systems.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with UGA financial processes and standards.
• Provides oversight for operating budgets within the department.
• Compile budget information and maintain spreadsheets to balance accounts each month.
• Request new speed types and combo codes as needed.
• Oversee departmental student travel award program.
• Collect and report State Sales Tax monthly.
• Serve as point-of-contact and co-coordinator for professional events hosted by CAIS.
• Recruit, train, and supervise/evaluate office staff.
• Communicate approved policies and procedures to faculty and staff and provide guidance as necessary.
• Liaise between campus units and the department; back-up when staff are absent.
• Contact for Sponsored Projects Administration Pre-Award/Post-Award and Faculty.
• Ensure grant proposal budgets are accurate, including salary and fringe benefits, travel, indirect cost.
• Review budget justifications for accuracy and detail.
• Track effort on projects and expenditures for compliance.
• Assist with close out and confirms final expenses for Post-Award.

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

UGA Onesource

UGA Jobs

Quickbooks

Job description

Business Manager - Dept/Unit

Posting Number: S15580P
Working Title: Business Manager - Dept/Unit
Department: VPR-Ctr Applied Isotope Study
Posting Type: External
Employment Type: Employee
Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Advertised Salary: Commensurate with Experience
Posting Date: 08/07/2026
Open until filled: Yes
Proposed Starting Date: 09/01/2026
Location of Vacancy: Athens Area
Retirement Plan: TRS or ORP

About the University of Georgia

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university. The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([e-mail]).

Special Instructions to Applicants

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 need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Classification

Classification Title: Business Ops Pro-Dept/Unit III
FLSA: Exempt
FTE: 1.00

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using UGA Onesource for financial and HR processes
• Experience managing position postings in UGA Jobs
• Experience with UGA Departmental Sales and Service accounts
• Experience with Quickbooks for invoicing Departmental Sales and Service activity

Position Summary

This position has a high level of responsibility and aids the Director and Associate Director in daily operations of the Center for Applied Isotope Studies. The Business Manager is essential for maintaining the Center for Applied Isotope Studies' compliance with all university, state, federal and USG/BOR regulations and functions. The Business Manager will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating all functions and personnel of the Business Office, including all aspects of financial management, sponsored projects, human resources, and employee relations.

Overall duties include but are not limited to: management of professional, fiscal and administrative work in planning, organizing, leading and controlling the fiscal, instructional, HR activities of the Center; project financial needs and oversee instructional budget, manage approved budget; prepare reports and provide information to the Director, supervise office staff, hire personnel and process paperwork for all new employees; serve as payroll representative for department; provide assistance to faculty and staff regarding interpretation and clarification of policies and procedures.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Extensive knowledge of accounting rules, regulations and procedures as well as business, budget and financial process and practices.
• Knowledge of UGA HR and Payroll rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills to interact with a variety of disciplines at all levels, exercising tact, confidentiality, sound judgment, diplomacy, and flexibility to promote positive working relationships and job effectiveness.
• Organizational, analytical and management skills with the ability to follow through on assignments with minimal direction.
• Work independently and exercise judgment with sensitivity to identify matters that require higher-level management consultation.
• Present a positive, professional, and helpful attitude and to work as a team member.
• Ability to interpret policies and procedures and to propose solutions to problems.

Physical Demands

- Sitting at a desk for long periods of time. Lifting up to 25 lbs., standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, carrying.

Position Requirements

Is driving a responsibility of this position: Yes
Is this a Position of Trust: Yes
Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources: Yes
Does this position require a P-Card: No
Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position: No
Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care: No
Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications): Yes

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Departmental HR and payroll representative.
• Process budget and direct retros.
• Process, approve, and reconcile payroll for all pay groups.
• Record benefits costs.
• Utilize UGAJobs to review, approve, and post non-faculty positions; modify position actions (working title & supervisor changes); and to seat/unseat current students, graduate students, and temporary employees.
• Coordinate all new hire and termination paperwork and training for department.
• Process tuition waivers for Graduate Research Assistantships.
• Create secure, confidential personnel files, Workers' Comp, and FMLA.
• Create separation notices and exit interview forms.
• Coordinate with Office of Global Engagement on employee and student immigration services.
• Initiate and/or Approve all financial transactions within UGA Financial systems.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with UGA financial processes and standards.
• Provides oversight for operating budgets within the department.
• Compile budget information and maintain spreadsheets to balance accounts each month.
• Request new speed types and combo codes as needed.
• Oversee departmental student travel award program.
• Collect and report State Sales Tax monthly.
• Serve as point-of-contact and co-coordinator for professional events hosted by CAIS.
• Recruit, train, and supervise/evaluate office staff.
• Communicate approved policies and procedures to faculty and staff and provide guidance as necessary.
• Liaise between campus units and the department. Serve as backup whenever necessary when office staff are absent or unavailable.
• Contact for Sponsored Projects Administration Pre-Award/Post-Award and Faculty.
• Ensures that grant proposal budgets are accurate, including salary and fringe benefits, travel, indirect cost.
• Reviews budget justifications for accuracy and detail.
• Tracks effort on projects.
• Tracks expenditures for compliance.
• Assists with close out and confirms final expenses for Post-Award.

Note: The above duties reflect approximate time commitments of 30% for most activities and 10% for grant administration tasks.