Business Manager 1

Louisiana State University

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a world-renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, is seeking a Business Manager 1 in Fiscal Operations. The Business Manager serves as a strategic and operational resource for the department, actively supporting financial and administrative functions in a dynamic research environment. This role is responsible for processing and approving purchasing, personnel forms, travel vouchers, and departmental expenditures. The Business Manager also plays a key role in financial forecasting and compliance with sponsor regulations. As a resource ally to faculty and staff, the position ensures accurate financial reporting and supports grant closeouts while managing the financial portfolios for a group of principle investigators.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience in financial management, preferably in a research or academic setting.
Demonstrated experience with budget planning, grant administration, and financial reporting.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with experience advising faculty or research staff.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and external funding agencies.

Nice To Haves

Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in financial management, preferably in a research or academic setting.
Knowledge of federal grant regulations (e.g., NIH, NSF, DOE) and experience with grant budgeting and compliance.
Proficiency in financial systems and tools; experience with Workday is strongly preferred.
Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and provide strategic insights.
Proficiency in financial systems and tools (e.g., Excel, ERP systems, grant management software).

Responsibilities

Lead budget planning and financial forecasting for research programs, including both restricted and unrestricted funding sources.
Monitor and report on departmental and grant-related expenditures, ensuring accuracy and alignment with institutional and sponsor guidelines.
Meet with assigned principal investigators on a monthly or quarterly basis to review their financial portfolio.
Maintain financial systems for tracking, projecting, and closing out grant accounts in a timely and compliant manner.
Ensure proper cost allocation across multiple research projects and funding streams to maximize resource utilization.
Coordinate re-budgeting efforts and prepare expenditure justifications in accordance with federal and sponsor regulations.
Serve as a liaison with granting agencies and advise faculty and staff on financial policies related to gifts, grants, and contracts.
Stay current on funding agency regulations and support compliance with all applicable grant requirements.