Business Operations Manager

University of Georgia; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Georgia in the Athens area seeks a Business Operations Manager within the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education to oversee key financial and administrative functions, including budgeting, procurement, payroll, and reporting. You will work with the Institute's leadership to ensure efficient operations and policy compliance.

This full-time, in-person role requires a Bachelor's degree and 5 years of professional experience, with strong Excel proficiency and experience

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Financial management: budget forecasting, planning and reporting for MIHE and related funds.
• Payroll: process, approve and reconcile payroll for faculty, staff, students, and temporary employees.
• Human Resources: manage posting, hiring, onboarding, and funding changes; supervise staff.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Posting Details

Posting Number: S15850P

Working Title: Business Operations Manager

Department: SRVPAA-Institute of Higher Ed

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 (https://www.uga.edu/). 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.

About the College/Unit/Department: The Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education is an academic unit of the University of Georgia committed to advancing higher education policy, management, and leadership through research, graduate education, and outreach. The McBee Institute's mission encompasses higher education issues at the campus, state, national, and international levels. We are noted for our multidisciplinary approach to graduate education and research, with areas of specialization in federal and state policy, governance and administration, institutional and system finance, faculty career development, institutional research and assessment, and knowledge development and exchange.

College/Unit/Department website: https://ihe.uga.edu/

Posting Type: External

Retirement Plan: TRS or ORP

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time: Full Time

Additional Schedule Information: In-person, Monday-Friday 8a-5pm with occasional evening or weekend events outside these hours

Advertised Salary: $58,000-65,000+, commensurate with experience

Posting Date: 10/02/2026

Open until filled: Yes

Proposed Starting Date: 11/16/2026

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

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]).

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.

Position Information

Classification Title: Business Services Pro III

FLSA: Exempt

FTE: 1.00

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

Position Summary

MIHE Business Operations Manager is responsible for the management of key financial and operational functions at the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education. As a member of the McBee Institute's senior staff, the Business Operations Manager will occupy a prominent role in the unit and at the University level, collaborating with faculty, staff, and administrators as well as leadership across campus and within other units and divisions to further the success of the Institute and the accomplishment of its mission https://ihe.uga.edu/mission. This position works collaboratively with the Director to advance the mission and strategic vision of the McBee Institute, keeping the Director informed of policy changes, financial matters, and other matters that impact the operations and management of the McBee Institute. The McBee Institute has an annual budget of over $3 million with funding from state budgets, federal income, and private sources includinggrants with multi-year projects that are expected to increase. The McBee Institute offers three graduate programs in Higher Education and administers two public service programs. Over 20 faculty and staff members are committed to enhancing the mission of teaching, research, and service at the McBee Institute with this position supporting their efforts via effective business management. This position involves use of a P-Card.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Knowledge of UGA, UGAF, and USG policies, procedures, and systems related to finances and human resources.
• Ability to identify, recommend, and implement process improvements across financial and administrative functions.
• Ability to apply and communicate administrative rules, regulations, and policies effectively across various job functions.
• Ability to compile and analze data.
• Strong knowledge of Excel including pivot tables, charts, and its use in data analysis.
• Strong organizational, written and verbal communications, and critical thinking skills.

Physical Demands

• Climbing one to two flights of stairs.
• Sitting at a computer for extended periods of time.
• Lift up to 20 pounds.

Is driving a responsibility of this position? No

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? Yes

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? Yes

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

• Financial Management: Provide strategic and operational fiscal management for MIHE State, Foundation, and Grant funds including budget forecasting, budget planning and development, and monthly, annual and intermittent financial reporting to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare, submit, and manage financial transactions to include a variety of payment, procurement, p-card, and budgetary transactions associated with MIHE operations.
• Communicate changes to policies and procedures to impacted individuals while serving as a financial resource for policies and procedures to MIHE personnel with questions.
• Attend financial meetings and trainings, such as the OneSource Status Call and monthly financial meetings with VPAA/VPI, to remain abreast of policies and procedure changes.

Percentage of time 40

Duties/Responsibilities

• Payroll: Serve as department payroll representative; process, approve and reconcile all payroll for faculty, staff, students, and temporary employees.
• Identify and submit pro-active and corrective payroll actions; set up funding and change funding for all employees as needed.
• Work with confidential information such as personnel documents, salary information, and student records for planning and review purposes.

Percentage of time 15

Duties/Responsibilities

• Awards Management: Provide professional management for sponsored projects including pre-award, award, and post-award. Assist Principal Investigators and Co-PIs with budget preparation, grants and contracts.
• Proper interpretation of related sponsor policies, regulations and statutes, related University and Board of Regents policies and procedures. Adherence to Institute of Higher Education and University fiscal controls.

Percentage of time 15

Duties/Responsibilities

• Human Resources: Responsible for all HR functions for faculty, staff and students. Includes creating and posting positions, hiring and onboarding, submitting position, salary, and funding change requests, and submitting retirements and terminations.
• Serve as departmental HR resource and work with HR liaison in the Academic Fiscal Affairs Office to answer and resolve personnel questions or concerns.
• Attend recurring meetings, such as OneSource Status Call and monthly SrVPAA/VPI Human Resource meetings to stay abreast of policy or procedure changes.
• Supervision of one to two staff positions to include coaching, mentoring, and assisting employee(s).
• Oversee employees responsible for maintenance, enhancements, security, and R&R of Meigs Hall.

Percentage of time 25

Duties/Responsibilities

Unit Support:

• Seek out and participate in professional development opportunities that generate efficiency and enhance the performance of job duties.
• Conduct additional duties in support of the unit as needed.

Percentage of time 5