Business Operations Manager - State Program Administrator Director

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid telework arrangement

Job summary

State of Minnesota in Saint Paul seeks a Business Operations Manager to provide strategic leadership in financial management, budgeting, contracting, and personnel support for the RECS division. You will ensure compliance with state statutes and policies, oversee IT services, and guide a team of about seven staff in administrative duties and reporting.

The role emphasizes contract administration, vendor management, and coordinating with the State Designer Selection Board, with a hybrid telework

Qualifications

• Four (4) years of experience coordinating and administering contracts or accounting and financial administration.
• A Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
• An Associate's degree as specified above may substitute for six (6) months of experience as described.
• Thorough understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and budgeting practices.
• Supervisory or lead work experience with performance management and coaching.
• Knowledge of contract laws and contract administration.

Responsibilities

• Administer and implement professional technical contracting activities for the division and statewide projects.
• Maintain the Master Contract program and draft related contract documents.
• Maintain the Master Roster program and vendor management support.
• Coordinate and advise on SDSB procedures per statutory requirements.
• Provide operational and administrative support to staff and manage records and COOP.
• Administer financial functions for capital appropriations and operating budgets.
• Administer RECS AIA contract document functions and fiscal oversight.

Skills

Contract management

Budgeting

Supervisory leadership

Communication

Legal/contract knowledge

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance

Associate's degree (related field)

Tools

SWIFT

SEMA4

IA Warehouse

Excel

Job description

Working Title: Business Operations Manager

Job Class: State Program Administrator, Director

Agency: Administration Dept

• Job ID : 96895

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 09/11/2026

• Closing Date : 10/01/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Administration Dept / Administration-MMA

• Division/Unit : Real Estate & Construction Svs

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $38.83 - $55.93 / hourly; $81,077 - $116,781 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 216 - Middle Management Association/MMA

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Executive

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

The Real Estate and Construction Services (RECS) division manages over 320 construction projects and 800 property leases annually. Overall, the State has a real property footprint that includes 5,585 buildings and gross square feet and acreage equaling about 5.5% of the State. This position leads, oversees, and manages the Business Services section/unit, which provides administrative support to the division.

We are seeing a Business Operations Manager to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for financial management, budgeting, contracting, personnel support, operational administration, and audit/compliance functions for the RECS division. In this role, you will ensure compliance with State statutes, statewide systems (e.g., SWIFT, SWIFT security roles, and Data Warehouse), agency and RECS policies and procedures, and capital project requirements helping to ensure RECS projects are delivered on time and on budget. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, evaluating contract and accounting programs and procedures; writing policies and procedures for contracting, accounting, and support services implementation; developing program objectives and reviewing reports to determine if objectives are met; advising customers with a comprehensive understanding of procedural and technical aspects of contracting and accounting; coordinating operational reports; managing IT services; providing administrative duties, as needed; and coordinating and completing the hiring and performance management processes, as needed.

You will also lead a team of approximately seven (7) staff members that perform the following duties and responsibilities:

• Administer and implement professional technical contracting activities for the division and statewide projects, including drafting Request for Proposals (RFPs), contracts, and related contract documents.

• Maintain the Master Contract program, including drafting RFPs, evaluation of submittals, and drafting appropriate contracts.

• Maintain the Master Roster program, including vendor management support, site review and updates.

• Coordinate, oversee, and provide administrative services to the State Designer Selection Board (SDSB); and advise on proper procedures in accordance with statutory requirements so the board can effectively and efficiently carry out its statutory duties and responsibilities in compliance with Minn. Stat. 16B.33 and Minnesota Rules Chapter 3200.

• Provide operational and administrative support to staff, coordinate office services, database management services, process contracts, maintain the division’s record retention and archiving programs, and maintain the division’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).

• Administer and perform financial functions of RECS for capital appropriations and public operating budgets, including purchasing, payments and various financial budgeting reporting, and ensuring timely completion.

• Administer RECS AIA contract document functions, including template support, AIA subscription support, and fiscal oversight.

This position is eligible for up to a 50% hybrid telework arrangement. With a telework arrangement, additional onsite attendance may be required for team meetings or as requested by management to meet business needs. Completion of a telework agreement will be required. Please review the Telework Policy (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) for details.

Minimum Qualifications

• Four (4) years of experience coordinating and administering contracts or accounting and financial administration.

• A Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.

• An Associate's degree as specified above may substitute for six (6) months of experience as described.

• Thorough understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and practices; and budgeting policies, principles, and practices sufficient to oversee the accounting and budgetary processes related to contract encumbering and payments.

• Supervisory, project management, or lead work experience that includes directing and assigning work; managing, measuring, and engaging in performance management-based conversations; and/or coaching, mentoring, or training staff.

• Knowledge of legal principles and practices applicable to contract laws, state laws, and/or contract administration with the ability to interpret legal terminology on contract issues.

• Skills in conflict management and consensus building with diverse groups in order to solve difficult and sensitive problems; and management skills to analyze and resolve ambiguous or controversial situations and make difficult decisions.

• Effective communication skills to communicate and present complex information to a wide variety of audiences with varying backgrounds and skills.

• Ability to treat employees inclusively in the areas of accommodation, scheduling, expectations, individualized resource needs, training, and development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or closely related field.

• Five (5) years of experience coordinating, negotiating, and administering contracts; or financial administration and management.

• Working knowledge of SWIFT, SEMA4, IA Warehouse database, or similar software programs.

• Knowledge of the State's accounting, budgeting, human resources, and purchasing systems, including functions, policies, and procedures.

• Experience conducting long range planning with the ability to set short- and long-term goals and objectives that equitably empower all employees, stakeholders, and the public.

• Experience with real estate contracts.

• Efficient time, organizational, and project management skills ensuring goals, objectives, and deadlines are met.

Additional Requirements

Successful applicant must pass a criminal background check through the American Databank and employer reference checks prior to employment. A criminal history does not automatically disqualify an applicant, and each case will be reviewed individually in alignment with fair hiring practices.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.