BUSINESS OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Arizona State University; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona State University is seeking a Business Operations Specialist to support financial and administrative operations in Executive Administration. The role collaborates with leadership, faculty, staff, sponsors and partners to ensure compliant, efficient business processes, including purchasing, travel, payroll, reporting and grant management.

Responsibilities include processing financial transactions in ASU systems, maintaining documentation, supporting budgets, and improving processes while

Qualifications

• Financial understanding of basic practices and principles.
• Strong customer service focus and collaborative teamwork.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Discretion handling confidential information.
• Proactive in supporting process improvements.
• Grants management knowledge and post‑award financial administration.
• Experience with accounting, budgeting, purchasing in higher education.
• Excel proficiency for spreadsheets and financial reports.

Responsibilities

• Assist with purchasing, travel administration, payroll, reporting, grant financial management, and general business operations support for assigned units.
• Apply a solid understanding of financial practices to maintain accuracy and efficiency.
• Provide exceptional customer service while partnering with university departments, faculty, staff, vendors, and sponsors.
• Handle sensitive information with care and discretion.
• Identify ways to enhance processes and contribute to operational efficiency.

Tools

Workday

Workday Finance

PeopleSoft

Concur

ERA

Job description

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Job Description:

Salary:

$55,000 - $65,000 per year; DOE

This position plays a key role in supporting the financial and administrative operations of Executive Administration. The Business Operations Specialist (BOS) works closely with leadership, faculty, staff, university business partners, and external sponsors to ensure efficient, compliant, and customer-focused business operations. The role supports purchasing, travel administration, payroll, reporting, grant financial management, and general business operations support while contributing to the smooth and efficient operation of the department.

What You'll Do:

• Support Business Operations: Assist with purchasing, travel administration, payroll, reporting, grant financial management, and general business operations support for assigned units.
• Financial Support: Apply a solid understanding of financial practices to maintain accuracy and efficiency.
• Customer Service: Provide exceptional customer service while partnering with university departments, faculty, staff, vendors, and sponsors to support business operations.
• Confidentiality: Handle sensitive information with care and discretion.
• Process Improvement: Assist in identifying ways to enhance processes and contribute to operational efficiency.

What We're Looking For:

• Financial Understanding: Basic understanding of financial practices and principles.
• Customer Service Focus: Strong interpersonal skills with a commitment to collaborative teamwork.
• Attention to Detail: Accuracy in all aspects of work.
• Discretion: Experience handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Proactivity: A willingness to support process improvements
• Financial Support: Assist assigned units with financial transactions, ensuring compliance with ASU and sponsor requirements. Initiate and process financial transactions including requisitions, purchase orders, expense reports, expense transfers, journal entries, payments, and other financial actions using ASU enterprise systems. Secure appropriate documentation, respond to inquiries, support vendor and supplier relationships, and coordinate with vendors and university business offices to resolve purchasing and payment-related issues.
• Account Support: Assist with monitoring account expenditures, maintaining accurate financial documentation, reconciling accounts, and supporting budget maintenance for assigned departments and sponsored projects.
• Risk Management: Support the identification and mitigation of financial and operational risks by ensuring compliance with university policies, sponsor requirements, and internal controls.
• Administrative Support: Provide administrative support for departmental operations, special projects, and other business functions while maintaining confidentiality and supporting organizational priorities.

Desired Qualifications:

• Grants Management Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of grant management policies, procedures, and regulations, including post-award financial administration.
• Higher Education Experience: Experience with accounting, budgeting, purchasing, and financial processes in a higher education environment.
• Numerical Proficiency: Experience working with numerical computations and developing spreadsheets and financial reports using Microsoft Excel.
• Attention to Detail: Demonstrated ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail while managing multiple financial and administrative responsibilities.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Experience prioritizing workloads, resolving issues, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Analytical Skills: Experience preparing, analyzing, and interpreting financial reports, forecasts, and budget information.
• Communication Skills: Evidence of effective written and verbal communication skills with a strong customer service focus.
• Relationship Building: Experience building collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, vendors, sponsors, and other stakeholders.
• Team and Independent Work: Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• ASU Systems Familiarity: Experience using ASU enterprise systems such as Workday, Workday Finance, PeopleSoft, Concur, and ERA.
• Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse.
• Required to stand for varying lengths of time, and walk moderate distances to perform work.
• Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds.
• Regular use of standard office equipment including, but not limited to: computer workstation/laptop (keyboard, monitor, mouse), printer, fax, calculator, copier, telephone and associated computer/technology peripherals.

Department Statement:

The Executive Administration team focuses on Business Operations, providing essential support to our units while ensuring efficiency and accountability in all business processes. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality service, optimizing resources, and fostering collaboration to advance ASU's strategic goals. By prioritizing integrity, innovation, and continuous improvement, we drive operational success and contribute to ASU's mission of excellence and community impact.

ASU Statement:

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation’s fifth largest city. ASU champions inclusive excellence, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

Relocation Assistance - For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources.

ASU's comprehensive benefits package is a key part of your total compensation. Visit the ASUCompensation Estimator

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

A fingerprint check is not required for this position.

About Arizona State University

Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the country’s most innovative school, Arizona State University is where students and faculty work with NASA to develop, advance and lead innovations in space exploration.