Business Coordinator

University of Maryland•College Park, MD

5d•$58,800 - $70,560•Onsite

About The Position

The Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) in the University of Maryland School of Public Policy is seeking a highly organized and service-oriented Business Coordinator to join its Finance team. The Business Coordinator provides comprehensive business and financial administrative support to CGS, with primary responsibility for coordinating domestic and international travel and supporting the business needs of faculty, researchers, students, and project teams. The Business Coordinator serves as CGS’ primary coordinator for business travel, assisting travelers throughout the process—from travel planning and University pre-approvals through expense documentation, reimbursement, and reconciliation. The position helps ensure that transactions are completed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with University, sponsor, and funding requirements. Beyond travel, the Business Coordinator supports a diverse portfolio of business activities associated with CGS’ research and programs, including procurement, purchase orders, vendor transactions, service agreements, reimbursements, research-related purchases, external conferences and workshops, and financial transactions associated with facilities and operational needs. This position reports to the Assistant Director of Finance/Director of Finance and works collaboratively with CGS faculty, researchers, project teams, Finance and Operations staff, School of Public Policy administrative offices, central University offices, and external vendors.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
One (1) year of professional human resources, payroll, finance, accounting, procurement, or travel coordination experience.
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 and Google Suite products.
Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in higher education, a research organization, government, nonprofit, or similarly complex administrative environment.
Experience coordinating domestic and international business travel.
Experience supporting sponsored projects, grants, contracts, or externally funded research activities.
Experience with procurement, purchase orders, service agreements, vendor transactions, and reimbursements.
Experience supporting faculty, researchers, or research/project teams.
Experience providing business support for conferences, workshops, or other externally facing events.
Familiarity with enterprise financial, procurement, expense, or travel management systems.
Experience with University of Maryland administrative systems and business processes.
Experience maintaining financial documentation in an audit- or compliance-focused environment
Strong organizational and time-management skills, attention to detail, and an ability to independently manage multiple transactions from initiation through completion.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to explain administrative requirements clearly to individuals with varying levels of familiarity with University processes.
Commitment to responsive customer service and the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, researchers, staff, students, vendors, and administrative partners.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, appropriately handle confidential or sensitive information, maintain accurate and audit-ready documentation, and effectively use or learn financial, procurement, travel, expense, and administrative systems.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary coordinator for domestic and international CGS business travel, including travel requests, pre-approvals, arrangements, expense reports, reimbursements, and required documentation.
Provide responsive guidance and support to faculty, staff, researchers, students, and other travelers navigating University travel requirements.
Coordinate purchasing and procurement activities supporting CGS research projects and programs, including purchase requisitions, purchase orders, research-related goods and services, and vendor transactions.
Coordinate with vendors and research teams to obtain quotes, scopes of work, invoices, agreements, and other documentation required to complete business transactions.
Support service agreements, vendor agreements, honoraria, and other non-employment business arrangements.
Process and monitor employee, faculty, student, guest, and other authorized business reimbursements.
Provide financial, procurement, contracting, and payment support for external CGS conferences, workshops, research convenings, stakeholder meetings, and research dissemination activities.
Support purchasing and financial transactions involving capital and non-capital assets, operational materials, facilities services, space-related needs, and other authorized business expenditures.
Track transactions from initiation through approval and payment, proactively following up on outstanding documentation, approvals, invoices, and other actions.
Maintain organized, complete, and audit-ready business and financial records.
Assist with developing procedures, checklists, templates, trackers, and other resources that improve the efficiency and consistency of CGS business processes.
Work collaboratively with CGS Finance and Operations, research teams, the School of Public Policy, central University offices, and external vendors to resolve business and transaction issues.