SARE Business Manager

UM01 University of Maryland College Park (UMCP); United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) in College Park, MD invites applications for a 12-month renewable, full-time Business Manager to support the NRCCO of Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE). The role focuses on contract and budget management, travel coordination, and administrative operations to sustain national programs and outreach.

You will work with the NRCCO Associate Director, manage multiple 5-year cooperative agreements, and ensure compliance with USDA NIFA and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Three years of professional HR, payroll, finance, accounting, procurement, or travel coordination experience.
• Knowledge of human resources policies and applicable laws.
• Strong communication and Microsoft Office skills.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple program budgets, accounts, contracts, expenditures, and reconciliations.
• Administer purchase orders, subawards, and contracts per university and USDA requirements.
• Lead NRCCO budget meetings and analyze project spending reports.
• Arrange travel and logistics for national meetings/workshops; travel to events as needed.
• Provide administrative assistance with USDA contracts and hiring.

Skills

Administrative expertise

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Technical proficiency

Customer service orientation

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database systems

Job description

Job Description Summary & Additional Information

Job Description Summary: Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) invites applications for a 12-month, renewable, full-time Business Manager, to work with its National Reporting, Coordinating, and Communications Office (NRCCO) located in College Park, Md. SARE is a program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that offers farmer-driven, grassroots grants and education programs. SARE's NRCCO operates under cooperative agreements from the USDA through the University of Maryland (UMD) in its College of Agriculture and Natural Resources' Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station. More information can be found at: https://www.sare.org/. The NRCCO is primarily responsible for creating nationally focused print and digital technical guides and educational resources for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural service providers, and managing the distribution and sale of these materials. Additionally, the NRCCO supports SARE's regional grant and outreach programs by directing national program efforts and providing opportunities for cross-regional information sharing. This support includes maintaining a digital grant management system, developing the SARE websites, providing communication resources, and coordinating national SARE workshops and outreach initiatives. The Business Manager will directly support the SARE Associate Director in overseeing the administrative responsibilities associated with the functions of the NRCCO. Typically, this includes managing five 5-year cooperative agreements (approx. $1.5M to $2.0M each), about 50 supplier/subaward/employee/service contracts, material distribution, 2 to 3 national in-person workshops, and assisting with 2 to 3 virtual meetings, annually. Occasionally, the NRCCO also manages special projects and national SARE initiatives. The Business Manager will also ensure that NRCCO activities and resources comply with USDA NIFA and university procedures through engagement with the UMD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This position provides ample opportunities to engage with UMD and NRCCO colleagues and other national partners, who enthusiastically support sustainable agriculture, farms, and ranches. This role requires annual out-of-state travel. Overall, the Business Manager will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness for which the NRCCO manages its administrative activities in support of its program efforts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with university education and outreach programs.
• Familiarity with UMD administrative offices, procedures and data systems.
• Familiarity or experience working with USDA grants and contracts.
• Experience making travel plans within the U.S.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Administrative expertise: Broad administrative skill set, including experience with database management systems to maintain records and generate reports.
• Strong organizational and time management skills: Demonstrated ability to independently organize and prioritize tasks and handle complex administrative and clerical duties efficiently and in a timely manner.
• Excellent attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and a positive attitude.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills: Proven ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including composing and editing correspondence or reports.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate sensitive issues with discretion and professionalism.
• Technical proficiency: Intermediate proficiency in various computer software packages, and experience working in shared cloud-based work spaces, digital meeting platforms, and various database systems.
• Strong work ethic: Demonstrated ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, with a commitment to meeting deadlines, achieving high-quality results, and a desire to learn new things.
• Customer service orientation: Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, partners and stakeholders, providing excellent customer service.
• Ability to work effectively in a semi-remote, collaborative team-based environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Contract & Budget Management

Serves as the main point of support for SARE business operations at UMD to the NRCCO's Associate Director by managing multiple program budgets (annual, 5-year USDA NIFA cooperative agreements), accounts, contracts, expenditures, and reconciliations. Administers purchase orders, subawards, and contracts in accordance with UMD policies and USDA requirements for records, reports, and conditions for expenditure of funds - including communicating with contracted suppliers as needed. Assists with the print production process and managing SARE publication fulfillment services including communicating with vendors of print projects, monitoring inventory, coordinating book orders, processing checks, and distributing free materials. Organizes and leads regular NRCCO budget meetings to discuss program activities and analyze project spending reports.

Meeting and Workshop Administration

Supports the NRCCO Associate Director by arranging travel and assisting with coordinating logistics for national in-person SARE meetings or workshops. Processes travel requests and manages associated meeting or workshop expenses, in accordance with USDA and UMD policies and requirements. Travels to approximately two out of state, multi-day meetings or workshops per year.

Other Responsibilities

Contributes to managing and developing SARE NRCCO's shared information and reference resources. Engage with NRCCO, UMD and national SARE groups and individuals with timely responses via email, instant message, and phone correspondence. Provides occasional administrative assistance with USDA contracts and hiring.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work. The employee will frequently lift and/or move items weighing up to 20 pounds. Set up and teardown of research machinery, project displays, tables, and chairs may be necessary at workshops.

Additional Job Details

Best Consideration Date: August 28, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

• Minimum Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: Three (3) years of professional human resources, payroll, finance, accounting, procurement, or travel coordination experience.
• Other: Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.
• Knowledge of human resources policies and procedures, and federal, state, and other applicable human resources related laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments.