Assistant Director of Business Operations
About The Position
The Assistant Director of Business Operations (ADBO) within the Central Business Services Office (CBSO) has three primary functions: (1) managing purchasing and contracting activities; (2) providing oversight and backup support for accounting operations; and (3) serving as a leadership partner to the Associate Director in guiding CBSO strategic and operational priorities. This role oversees the day-to-day purchasing and contracting operations that support all CBSO partner units. It provides guidance and recommendations on procurement strategies and contract decisions for both CBSO and its unit partners. The ADBO will exercise delegated contracting authority up to $25,000 per purchase. The position exercises decision-making authority over the transactional execution of purchasing and contracting functions in alignment with Federal, State, and University policies and standards. It provides guidance and recommendations on procurement strategies and contract decisions for both CBSO and its unit partners. The Assistant Director of Business Operations directly supervises classified staff within the CBSO Purchasing and Contracting team. Responsibilities include understanding and applying relevant policies; managing workload distribution; resolving employee concerns; and leading performance management including training, employee development, and corrective action processes as needed. In addition to purchasing and contracting responsibilities, this position provides oversight and serves as a critical backup for accounting functions, ensuring continuity of operations, adherence to policy, and appropriate internal controls during staff absences, workload spikes, or periods of transition. The ADBO will have frequent engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including faculty, staff, individual contributors, executive leadership, and external suppliers. As a leadership partner to the Associate Director, this ADBO helps align operational strategies, support unit initiatives, and ensure that CBSO services continue to meet the evolving needs of its partner units. This position is eligible for hybrid work with required on campus presence. The role reports to CBSO’s Associate Director, Financial Operations.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree PLUS
- Three (3) years of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience, AND
- Three (3) years of supervisory or lead experience.
- OR
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience (in lieu of a bachelor’s degree), AND
- Three (3) years of supervisory or lead experience.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain an inclusive, equitable, and respectful work environment.
- Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and apply creative, solutions-oriented problem solving. oriented problem solving.
- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and reliable follow-up.
- Effective interpersonal and written communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a high-volume, fast-changing environment.
- Ability to interpret, apply, and navigate policies and procedures in a highly regulated and unionized setting.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds and roles.
- Ability to create, learn, and follow processes, including knowing when to deviate, escalate, or recommend improvements.
- Proficiency using standard office and communication tools, including Microsoft Office, Zoom, Teams, Slack, or similar platforms.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with public contracting.
- Experience working in higher education settings or large non-profit organizations.
- Experience with Banner, Unimarket, or similar software.
Responsibilities
- Managing purchasing and contracting activities
- Providing oversight and backup support for accounting operations
- Serving as a leadership partner to the Associate Director in guiding CBSO strategic and operational priorities
- Overseeing the day-to-day purchasing and contracting operations that support all CBSO partner units
- Providing guidance and recommendations on procurement strategies and contract decisions for both CBSO and its unit partners
- Exercising delegated contracting authority up to $25,000 per purchase
- Exercising decision-making authority over the transactional execution of purchasing and contracting functions in alignment with Federal, State, and University policies and standards
- Directly supervising classified staff within the CBSO Purchasing and Contracting team
- Managing workload distribution
- Resolving employee concerns
- Leading performance management including training, employee development, and corrective action processes as needed
- Ensuring continuity of operations, adherence to policy, and appropriate internal controls during staff absences, workload spikes, or periods of transition
- Helping align operational strategies, support unit initiatives, and ensure that CBSO services continue to meet the evolving needs of its partner units
Benefits
- The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
- For more information about benefits, visit our website
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
