Business Manager, VPRO

Colorado State University; Fort Collins, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University is seeking a VPR Business Manager to lead the Energy Institute’s financial operations, budgeting, and strategic financial planning. You will analyze complex financials, oversee income, expenditures, and F&A overhead, and partner across campus to ensure fiscal health.

Responsibilities include budgeting, forecasting, and serving as a strategic advisor for long-range planning, with oversight of key financial models and donor and recharge activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field plus 3 years of professional financial management experience, or master’s in business with 2 years.
• Experience in creating, management, and improvement of financial modeling.
• Experience in financial analysis, including risk assessment and generation of alternative solutions.
• Experience in budget creation and management.
• Excellent communication skills related to financial reporting and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Manage Energy Institute fiscal and business operations including budgeting and rate setting.
• Approvals for expenditures and development of annual budgets; forecasting reports.
• Analyze complex financials to identify risks, contingencies, and alternatives.
• Serve as a strategic advisor translating priorities into financial strategies and long-range plans.
• Oversee MOU with the University, managing the financial model and F&A overhead for research.
• Oversee Powerhouse facility lease revenue financials including auditing and allocations.
• Develop and improve procedures and internal controls in accordance with GAAP and policies.
• Summarize, analyze, and report financial information to Institute leadership, VPR, and stakeholders.

Skills

Financial analysis

Financial modeling

Budgeting

Communication skills

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Master’s degree in business

Tools

Kuali Financial System

Kuali Research Proposal Development

Workday

Job description

# Job DescriptionThe VPR Business Manager is a member of the VPR Finance Team and provides dedicated financial oversight, services, and support to the Energy Institute (EI). The position is responsible for broad financial management, including the daily business and financial operations, financial oversight, business planning, reporting, and analysis for the Energy Institute. The Energy Institute operates within a complex financial model that includes multiple funding sources, sponsored research projects, cost-share commitments, facilities operations, and external partnerships. The Business Manager serves as the Fiscal Officer and Account Manager in the Kuali Financial System for assigned departmental accounts and helps ensure funds are spent and managed appropriately and in accordance with applicable policies and guidelines. The position partners closely with EI staff, internal and external customers, Fiscal Officers, purchasing agents, the VPR Director of Finance, and other campus stakeholders. The Business Manager provides financial expertise while leveraging shared processes, tools, expertise, and internal controls of the VPR Finance Team. The position remains current on changes in university policies, rules, and best practices through ongoing professional development to support legal, compliant, and fiscally responsible operations. The position reports to the VPR Director of Strategic Financial Planning and Resource Management and works in close partnership with the EI Associate Director of Operations. To apply please complete the application at jobs.colostate.edu and submit a resume and cover letter by the full consideration date. **Full Consideration Date: Friday, September 25, 2026, 11:59 PM MT.** ## Essential Job Dutie**s:*** Management of Energy Institute fiscal and business operations including business planning, rate setting, financial allocation, billing, and oversight of Institute recharge centers, management and stewardship of donor funds, and general oversight of Institute financial health.* Approvals for expenditures, preparation of annual budgets, and develop forecasting reports to facilitate financial decision making for Institute leadership.* Independently analyze complex financials related to departmental activities in both business and research to identify risks, contingencies, and alternatives. Serve as a strategic advisor to Energy Institute leadership, translating institutional priorities into financial and operational strategies, evaluating opportunities and tradeoffs, and developing long-range plans that advance the Institute’s mission and ensure its financial sustainability.* Management of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Energy Institute and the University which includes, managing the financial model which tracks research expenditures and Facilities & Administration (F&A) overhead related research performed at the Powerhouse Energy Campus, calculating F&A amounts, and auditing.* Oversight of Powerhouse facility lease revenue financials including auditing, reconciliation, and allocation.* Development and improvement of procedures, processes, and internal controls in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, federal and state regulations, and university polices.* Financial and administrative operations including oversight of financial transactions, labor allocations, Purchasing card activity, and billing for compliance, proper and consistent allocation, and documentation. Summarizes, analyzes, and reports financial information to Institute leadership, VPR, and other stakeholders as necessary.* Other duties as assigned. ## Supervisio**n**:* This position may supervise up to 3 professional finance staff positions. Right now this position oversees 1 person with the possibility of overseeing 2. ## Conditions of Employment:* Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), valid driver’s license.* Colorado State University may conduct background checks on final candidates.* Benefit Information: Employee Benefit information can be found on HR’s Website: https://hr.colostate.edu/current-employees/benefits/. ## Minimum Qualifications:* Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field and 3 years of professional experience supporting a team in a financial management role OR master's degree in business and 2 years of professional experience supporting a team in a financial management role.* Experience in creation, management, and improvement of financial modeling.* Experience in financial analysis, including risk assessment and generation of alternative solutions.* Experience in budget creation and management.* Excellent and demonstrated communication skills, specifically related to financial reporting and analysis. ## Preferred Qualifications:* Financial management in an institution of higher education or other research-focused organization.* 5 years of professional experience supporting a team in a financial management role OR master's degree in business and 3 years of professional experience supporting a team in a financial management role.* Experience with Federal Cost Accounting Standards and Uniform Guidance requirements.* Experience with Kuali Financial System, Kuali Research Proposal Development System, and Workday.# Salary Range$90,000-$100,000# Required Application DocumentsTo apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.Cover Letter, Resume/CV