Library Business Officer

University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Library Business Officer at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Atkins Library leads financial, HR, and operations for a $15M budget, reporting to the Dean’s leadership team. The role ensures alignment with university policies and strategic goals while coordinating across divisions.

Responsibilities include budget planning, grants management, HR leadership for ~110 FTE, and data-driven decision making to improve efficiency and risk management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, HR, or related field.
• Five (5) years of progressive experience in business or HR management.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Higher education experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Budget planning, forecasting, and oversight for the library's $15M budget.
• Grants and contracts management and post-award administration.
• HR leadership for faculty, staff, student, and temporary employees.
• Compliance with state and university policies; design of efficient internal workflows.
• Data analysis to inform strategic decisions and risk management.
• Liaison with university offices to align library operations with campus goals.

Skills

Financial management

HR management

Strategic leadership

Policy compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Public Administration/HR or related field

Job description

Primary Purpose Of Department

The J. Murrey Atkins Library (Atkins) serves as the intellectual backbone of a large urban research university and is the academic heart of campus. The library has an annual budget of over $15 million and holds membership in several consortia, including the UNC University Library Advisory Council, the Association of Southern Research Libraries (ASERL), and the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL). Atkins welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors annually and provides access to over 3.8 million physical and online volumes, with expanding electronic collections of over 500 databases and more than two million e-Books. The library is the home of the university archives and the university art collection, as well as numerous other special collections. In addition, the library provides spaces for study, equipment loans, research support, a digital repository of faculty and student work, digital archives, and information literacy instruction. The Area 49 collection of innovation and maker spaces serves Atkins patrons excited to engage with ideas in new ways through curiosity and experimentation.

• Position Number: 002170
• Employment Type: Permanent - Full-time
• Months per Year: 12
• Work Schedule: 8:00a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Division: Academic Affairs
• Department: Library (Adm)
• Work Location:
• Salary Range: $90,000 - $95,000

Primary Purpose Of Position

The Library Business Officer (LBO) plays a key role in the financial, personnel, and operational leadership of the library. As a member of the Dean's leadership team, the Library Business Officer provides strategic oversight, guidance, communication, operational strategy, and decision-making in the areas of financial management and human resources. This position ensures that all business activities align with university policies and strategic goals while fostering collaboration across departments and with stakeholders from divisions across the university. The LBO is expected to develop substantive knowledge of the goals of the library and university and an awareness of broader higher education trends to ensure strategic alignment.

Summary Of Position Responsibilities

Financial Management and Business Operations

The LBO manages comprehensive financial operations and business administration, ensuring efficient and compliant resource management. This includes budgetary planning, forecasting, and supervising business staff. The LBO collaborates with university offices to optimize financial performance, implement innovative processes, and oversee external grants and contracts.

• Budget Oversight and Planning: Lead strategic financial planning and forecasting for the library's $15M budget, developing long-range objectives aligned with institutional goals.
• Financial Reporting and Analysis: Prepare and reconcile records for multiple funding sources, providing insights on trends and status to support sound decision-making.
• Fund Maintenance and Transactions: Oversee account reconciliation, budget projections, revisions, and purchasing approvals.
• Procurement and Operations: Manage fiscal functions including accounting, travel, expense reimbursement, contract review, and policy enforcement.
• Grants and Contracts Management: Direct post-award management for external grants and research funding in coordination with principal investigators.
• Personnel and Payroll Management: Monitor salary allocations and vacant positions while ensuring accurate payroll transactions for EHRA and SHRA roles.
• Compliance and Process Improvement: Interpret state and university policies, design efficient internal workflows, and train staff on financial systems and tools.

Human Resources Management

The LBO oversees human resources functions for approximately 110 FTE, managing the full employee lifecycle and ensuring policy compliance. This includes supervising business staff and handling personnel issues for faculty, staff, and student employees.

• HR Leadership: Oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, promotion, and retention for faculty, staff, student, and temporary employee classifications, ensuring procedural accuracy and equity.
• Compensation and Benefits: Administer salary, benefits, leave, and workplace accommodations in compliance with federal, state, and university HR policies.
• Supervision and Workforce Planning: Lead the library business team, with responsibilities related to budget and human resources management, ensuring effective talent management and compliance with university policies.
• Issue Resolution and Confidentiality: Collaborate with supervisors and university HR to mediate personnel disputes and disciplinary matters in a timely manner, while maintaining strict confidentiality and alignment with institutional guidelines.

Data Analysis and Strategic Decision-Making

The LBO uses data analysis to inform strategic decisions, improve operational efficiency, and manage risk. This role involves auditing, policy research, and providing expert advice to leadership on resource allocation.

• Data-Driven Recommendations: Analyze financial and personnel data to provide recommendations that support strategic objectives and resource allocation. Conduct research on university policies to resolve complex financial, operational, and human resources issues and develop improved financial processes.
• Audit and Risk Management: Oversee internal and external audits, address findings, and implement risk mitigation strategies and corrective actions.

Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

As a member of the Dean's leadership team, the LBO influences long-term financial, personnel, and operational strategies. The LBO acts as a proxy for the Dean in approving key business decisions, allowing executive leadership to focus on broader institutional priorities. The LBO serves as the primary liaison between the library and campus partners (e.g., Academic Affairs, HR, Internal Audit, Research) to ensure operational alignment with university systems and procedures.

• Strategic Advising and Policy Leadership: Provide input to the Dean on resource stewardship and lead the establishment or revision of internal operational policies. Prepare analysis and reports in response to complex inquiries.
• University Liaison: Facilitate communication with key university offices, representing the library in institutional discussions and advocating for resource needs.

Minimum Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resources, or a related field;
• Five (5) years of progressive experience in business or HR management; or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills And Experience

• Advanced degree, MBA preferred
• Higher education experience

Special Notes To Applicants

• If there is a document you feel is relevant to this position that you would like reviewed with your resume and application, you may upload it to the "Other Documents" section of the Applicant Documents.
• The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report
• The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with the finalist.
• Please ensure your resume reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your answers to the supplemental questions.
• UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/

Posting Open Date

08/21/2026

Posting Close Date

09/11/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Proposed Hire Date

11/01/2026