Business Operations Professional - Peanut Innovation Lab

Ugajobsearch; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Georgia in Athens seeks a Business Operations Professional for the Peanut Innovation Lab. The role handles financial, procurement, personnel, and travel operations, supporting the Lab’s subaward portfolio under the PIL Project Administrator.

The position is grant-funded with an initial two-year appointment, with continuation contingent on funding and performance.

Qualifications

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent.
• Preferred: Experience in academic department or research unit administration.
• Preferred: Working knowledge of OneUSG/PeopleSoft financial modules, P-Card and travel and expense processing.
• Preferred: Experience supporting sponsored projects, including subawards or international travel.
• Preferred: Experience arranging international travel or shipping.
• Preferred: Working proficiency in French.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and submit the Lab’s financial transactions and budgets.
• Administer purchasing, vendor coordination, and invoice submission.
• Coordinate meetings, workshops, and international travel for project personnel.
• Review subrecipient invoices and ensure compliance with agreements.
• Manage payroll distributions and OneUSG Connect actions.
• Track approvals, maintain project documentation, and support sponsor reporting.

Skills

Academic administration

OneUSG/PeopleSoft

P-Card & travel

Sponsored projects

International travel

French language

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

OneUSG/PeopleSoft

P-Card processing

Job description

Business Operations Professional - Peanut Innovation Lab

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Posting Details

Posting Number S16022P Working Title Business Operations Professional - Peanut Innovation Lab Department CAES-Peanut Innovation Lab 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. College/Unit/Department website Posting Type External Retirement Plan TRS or ORP Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information Monday through Friday, 8AM-5PM. Opportunity for international travel. Advertised Salary Commensurate with Experience Posting Date 11/04/2026 Open until filled Yes Closing Date Proposed Starting Date 12/01/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants 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 Ops Pro-Dept/Unit I FLSA Exempt FTE 1.00

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in academic department or research unit administration.
• Working knowledge of OneUSG/PeopleSoft financial modules, P-Card and travel and expense processing.
• Experience supporting sponsored projects, including subawards or international travel.
• Experience arranging international travel or shipping.
• Working proficiency in French.

Position Summary

Performs the financial, procurement, personnel, and logistics operations of the Peanut Innovation Lab ( PIL ) and supports the administration of the Lab’s subaward portfolio. Working under the direction of the PIL Project Administrator, the position prepares and reviews the Lab’s transactions, coordinates the meetings, workshops, and international travel the project requires, and performs first-line review of subrecipient invoices against agreement terms and approved budgets.
This is a grant-funded position with an initial two-year appointment. Continued employment is based on the needs of the project, as well as available funding and satisfactory job performance and progress.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Experience with procurement and accounts payable transactions
• Attention to detail
• Significant experience in travel and scheduling coordination for research personnel both international and domestic
• Experience with subaward processing and payroll
• Ability to work independently on a wide variety of tasks
• Ability to communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders and research personnel

Physical Demands

Normal for a standard office environment 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? 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

Financial and Procurement Operations

• Prepare, review, and submit the Lab’s financial transactions: payment requests, accounts payable journal voucher, budget journals and transfers, general ledger journals, and UGAMart requisitions
• Review transactions for correct account and project assignment, adequacy of documentation and consistency with the approved budget before submission for approval
• Reconcile Lab accounts monthly and identify and resolve coding and posting errors
• Administer purchasing for the Lab, including vendor coordination, purchase order management, and invoice submission
• Collaborate with the Project Administrator in preparing projections and burn-rate reporting across award budget periods
• Serves as PCard holder, processing transactions in compliance with policy and established procedures

Percentage of time 30

Meeting, Workshop, and Travel Coordination

• Coordinate the Lab’s meetings, workshops, training events and annual gatherings, including venue, catering, materials, registration, technology, and on-site support
• Arrange international and domestic travel for project personnel and partner participants: authorities, visa and entry documentation, itineraries, and expense reporting on return
• Apply federal award travel requirements, including flag-carrier and related restrictions, and raise questionable arrangements with the Project Administrator before commitments are made
• Prepare event communications, invitations, agendas, and registration materials
• Reconcile event and travel expenditures against the award budget and prepare post-event financial summaries

Percentage of time 25

Subaward Invoice Review and Documentation

• Perform first-line review and analysis of subrecipient invoices against agreement terms, approved budget categories, period of performance and cumulative spending, and refer exceptions and questioned items to the Project Administrator
• Verify that supporting documentation and cost share reporting required by each agreement have been provided
• Request and track outstanding documentation from partner institutions – certifications, audit reports, revised budgets – and maintain a status log of what is outstanding and for how long
• Manage the subaward file for each partner, including executed agreements, amendments, invoices, correspondence, and the Project Administrator’s monitoring records
• Process approved subaward payment requests and reconcile subaward expenditure against the prime award

Percentage of time 20

Personnel and Payroll

• Prepare position, hiring, onboarding, and termination actions for Lab positions in OneUSG Connect and UGAJobs
• Prepare payroll distributions and Expenditure Distribution Requests across award and cost share accounts
• Support effort and cost share documentation for personnel charged to the award
• Coordinate with the Office of International Education on visiting scholars and international appointments

Percentage of time 15

Project Records and Reporting

• Manage the Lab’s project files, financial records and supporting documentation to the standard required for audit and sponsor monitoring
• Compile data and prepare draft financial and administrative sections of sponsor reports for review by the Project Administrator
• Track deliverable and reporting deadlines across the project and its partners, and prompt project leads ahead of said deliverables
• Serve as the day-to-day administrative contact for partner institution staff, referring substantive questions to the Project Administrator

Percentage of time 10

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact Details For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.

Recruitment Contact Name Maddilyn Johnson

Recruitment Contact Email [e-mail]

Recruitment Contact Phone

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• List of References with Contact Information

Optional Documents

• Other Documents #1