Business Officer

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Sociology Department is seeking a Business Officer to oversee the department's administrative operations, finances, HR, and compliance. The position reports to the Department Chair and collaborates with central offices to ensure effective service delivery.

The ideal candidate has mid-career experience in academic administration and a demonstrated ability to manage complex budgets.

Qualifications

• Mid-career with Masters and 1-2 yrs experience; or Bachelors and 2-4 yrs experience.
• Interpersonal skills and clear written communication are essential.
• Experience with financial reporting and analysis systems.
• Knowledge of UNC policies and procedures is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational execution for the department.
• Coordinate with central offices (Finance, HR, Sponsored Research, Accounting).
• Supervise department staff and student services.
• Ensure compliance with College-wide standards and policy.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Analytical skills

Financial reporting

Budget management

Management experience

Education

Masters degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PeopleSoft/ConnectCarolina

Infoporte

Adobe Acrobat XI Pro

Job description

Department:

Sociology-316500

Career Area :

Human Resources

Posting Open Date:

08/31/2026

Application Deadline:

09/14/2026

Open Until Filled:

No

Position Type:

Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title:

Business Officer

Appointment Type:

EHRA Non-Faculty

Position Number:

00003860

Vacancy ID:

NF0009994

Full Time/Part Time:

Full-Time Permanent

FTE:

1

Hours per week:

40

Position Location:

North Carolina, US

Hiring Range:

Dependent on Experience and/or Qualifications

Proposed Start Date:

09/21/2026

Be a Tar Heel!:

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

Founded in 1920 by Howard W. Odum, the Sociology Department at UNC-Chapel Hill has played a prominent role in the development of sociology as a major field of study in the social sciences. Over 700 graduates have received graduate degrees through the program, and their work spans the entire range of sociological specialties. Diversity with balance and a thorough grounding in research skills characterize the Sociology Program at Chapel Hill in the 21st century. Our department has always encouraged informal intellectual exchange and mutual support among faculty and students. Today, as in the past, the department edits the Social Forces Journal which is completing its tenth decade as one of the leading professional journals of sociology.

Position Summary:

The Department Manager serves as the senior administrative leader for the department, responsible for translating academic and strategic priorities into effective operational execution within a decentralized school environment. This role partners closely with the Department Chair and faculty while coordinating extensively with centralized/shared service units (Finance, HR, Sponsored Research, and Accounting). The Department Manager ensures that departmental needs are met through proactive planning, service coordination, and escalation, while maintaining accountability for outcomes despite distributed service delivery. The position supervises department-based staff, including student services and administrative personnel. This role has process oversight responsibility across administrative functions and operates with an implicit dotted-line relationship to College functional leadership, including the Associate Dean for Finance, Accounting, and Sponsored Programs Support and the Associate Dean for Human Resources, to ensure consistency, compliance, and alignment with College-wide standards.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Mid-career with Masters and 1-2 yrs experience; or Bachelors and 2-4 yrs experience

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively interact with faculty, staff, students, researchers, and other university personnel
• Ability to write precisely, clearly, and concisely and to proofread documents to eliminate all errors and ambiguities
• Analytical and reasoning abilities relevant to evaluation of complex requirements and regulations at the University, State, and Federal levels
• Experience with computerized financial reporting and analysis systems, with a thorough understanding of business computer technology
• Experience in planning, organizing, and implementing effective management systems
• Extensive financial and other management experience and/or demonstration of a high degree of competence in management of a complex organization.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

The selected candidate is preferred to have: Working knowledge of PeopleSoft/ConnectCarolina, Infoporte, or similar systems and Adobe Acrobat XI Pro. Knowledge of UNC policies/procedures is preferred. Experience in grants management, personnel management, and academic administration Four years' experience in management of administrative activities in an academic setting preferred.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements:

n/a

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.