SENIOR BUSINESS SUPPORT SPECIALIST

University of Missouri-Columbia; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 27,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision plans

Retirement contributions

Paid time off

Job summary

University of Missouri is seeking a Senior Business Support Specialist to provide advanced fiscal, administrative, and operational support for MU Extension's Agriculture & Environment Administration. The role manages complex budgets across multiple funding sources and serves as the primary business operations partner for the statewide farm and center portfolio.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and at least 2 years of administrative or fiscal experience, with a preference

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 2 years of experience.
• Two years of experience in administrative or fiscal capacity.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary business operations and fiscal liaison for MU Extension, Agriculture & Environment Administration and the farm/center portfolio; manage and reconcile complex budgets and accounts; review financial activity; monitor revenues and expenditures; ensure fiscal accountability across multiple IDs and funding sources.
• Prepare and analyze fiscal and operational reports (budget-to-actual, projections, cost recovery tracking, account reconciliations); provide recommendations for planning and resource allocation.
• Advise faculty, staff, farm directors, center managers on fiscal processes, purchasing requirements, financial coding, and policies; interpret and communicate policy requirements; resolve complex issues.
• Review purchasing card, travel and expense activity, reconciliations; provide guidance and training to address findings and improve controls.
• Lead and coordinate administrative and fiscal support; onboard/train staff; document standardized processes to improve efficiency and service.

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting or related area

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

Hiring Department

MU Extension Agriculture & Environment Administration

Hiring Department

The Senior Business Support Specialist provides advanced fiscal, administrative, and operational support for MU Extension Agriculture & Environment Administration and serves as the primary business operations partner for MU Extension's Education & Extension Center (EEC) farm and center portfolio. This position is responsible for managing complex financial and business operations across multiple funding sources, departments, and business units while ensuring compliance with University policies and procedures.

As a trusted resource to leadership, farm directors, center managers, faculty, and staff, the Senior Business Support Specialist plays a key role in promoting strong financial stewardship, operational efficiency, and informed decision-making. The successful candidate will be a proactive, solution-oriented professional who demonstrates initiative, sound judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous improvement in support of a dynamic statewide organization.

Essential Duties

• 50% Serve as the primary business operations and fiscal liaison for MU Extension, Agriculture & Environment Administration and the farm and center portfolio. Manage and reconcile complex budgets and accounts; review and analyze financial activity; monitor revenues and expenditures; identify and resolve discrepancies; coordinate financial transactions; and maintain fiscal accountability across multiple department IDs, funding sources, and operational units. Support budget planning, forecasting, and year-end activities while ensuring compliance with University policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• 25% Prepare and analyze fiscal and operational management reports, including monthly budget-to-actual reports, financial projections, cost recovery tracking, account reconciliations, and ad hoc analyses. Provide recommendations to leadership to support operational planning, business decisions, and resource allocation. Identify trends, risks, and opportunities for process improvement.
• 10% Serve as a resource to faculty, staff, farm directors, center managers, and administrative partners regarding fiscal processes, purchasing requirements, financial coding, and University policies and procedures. Interpret and communicate policy requirements, resolve complex financial and operational issues, and assist stakeholders in navigating administrative processes.
• 10% Conduct periodic reviews of purchasing card transactions, travel and expense activity, financial reconciliations, and other business processes to ensure accuracy, compliance, and fiscal accountability. Provide guidance, training, and documentation to address findings and promote consistent application of business practices and internal controls.
• 5% Lead and coordinate administrative and fiscal support activities within the unit. Assist with onboarding, training, and mentoring of support staff and student employees. Contribute to the development and documentation of standardized business processes, procedures, and operational resources that improve efficiency and customer service.

Conduct all activities in accordance with the Civil Rights Acts, Title IX, Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and applicable University policies and affirmative action plans.

As with all positions, involvement with other duties and responsibilities may be expected in order to support the mission and purpose of MU Extension.

Leadership Received And Exercised

This position reports to the Senior Director, Program/Project Operations and receives direction related to fiscal management, operational priorities, and business processes supporting MU Extension Agriculture & Environment Administration and the statewide farm and center portfolio.

The position operates with a high degree of independence and may provide functional leadership, training, coordination, and work direction to administrative support staff, student employees, and others involved in fiscal and operational activities. The incumbent is expected to demonstrate initiative, sound judgment, strong collaboration skills, and a commitment to continuous improvement while supporting organizational goals and business operations statewide.

Shift

Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 2 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting or related area or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities may be acquired is necessary.

Two years of experience in administrative or fiscal capacity is required.

Anticipated Hiring Range

The anticipated hiring range for this position has been established as $19.25 -$27.00 hourly.

Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the individual's particular combination of education, skills, and experience, as well as organizational requirements.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Grade: Salary Plan # GGS 008

University Title: SENIOR BUSINESS SUPPORT SPECIALIST

To review the University of Missouri's Staff Compensation Structure you can view the Job Code detail page. Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.