Department Business Manager

MIT Lincoln Laboratory•Lexington, MA

13d•$117,600 - $156,600•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department Business Manager is a strategic financial and operational leader for the MIT Lincoln Laboratory Security Department and a trusted member of its senior leadership team. The role reports to the Chief Security Officer and Chief Information Security Officer and directs an annual operating budget of $73 million across seven functional areas and three budgets. It leads budgeting, financial analysis, forecasting, reporting, personnel and human-resource operations, procurement, space planning, and executive support. The manager oversees monthly financial reporting and time approval, including exempt staff labor distribution and contingent-worker labor certification. The position leads audits and reviews to assess costs and improve efficiency, supports high-priority projects and security initiatives, and coordinates human-resource matters such as performance reviews, promotions, transitions, compensation planning, and the Leadership Enrichment and Development (LEAD) program. As the department's space liaison, the manager coordinates with organizational units to ensure Laboratory space supports mission and operational priorities. The position operates under the direct supervision of the CSO and CISO, using data and financial analysis to support strategic and operational decision-making. The selected candidate must work on site at least three days per week and must be a U.S. citizen able to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance. The posting gives inconsistent clearance levels: one section specifies Top Secret, while another specifies Secret.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in finance, business, or a related field.
5–8 years of progressively responsible financial management experience, including extensive budgeting experience.
5–8 years of management or HR experience, including direct supervisory experience overseeing staff.
Demonstrated experience presenting financial and budgetary information to executive-level audiences.
Proficiency in Excel.
Ability to analyze and explain financial reports to stakeholders.
Ability to exercise discretion and confidentiality when working with sensitive information.
Excellent analytical, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Excellent judgment.
Ability to thrive with minimal supervision and act as a self-directed leader.
Ability to independently advance projects and deadline-driven work.
Ability to work on site at least three days per week.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must pass a pre-employment background investigation and be able to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance; the posting identifies both Top Secret and Secret levels.

Nice To Haves

MBA.
Knowledge of Laboratory mission and department or division processes.
Experience with SAP/SRM, LLBIS, or OneStream.
Business acumen, financial literacy, strategic thinking, market awareness, decisiveness, interpersonal and organizational skills, accountability, problem-solving, professionalism, objectivity, and confidentiality.
Proficiency with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Office, including fluency in integrating AI into daily work.
Positive, team-focused approach and motivation to contribute to a fast-paced, mission-oriented team.
Flexibility and resilience in a deadline-driven, dynamic environment, with the ability to multitask at a senior level.
Cross-functional team coordination, conflict resolution, or mentorship experience.

Responsibilities

Administer all phases of department budgets, including five-year plans and monthly analysis, monitoring, reporting, and projections.
Lead quarterly budget presentations to Finance and the annual five-year budget planning process and presentation.
Direct the roll-up and analysis of department direct-charge costs and oversee the Rewards & Recognition program.
Manage the department's annual Financial Management Review submission.
Oversee labor time reporting for all personnel classifications, including exempt staff labor distribution, non-exempt staff time entry, and contingent-labor certification.
Maintain oversight of the job description and JDQ library and guide goal setting, accomplishments, and performance appraisal standards.
Coordinate performance reviews; lead headcount forecasting and reporting; oversee requisitions, job descriptions, hiring tracking, and new-hire offer approvals.
Coordinate personnel promotions and transitions, compensation planning, the merit cycle, flexible work arrangement reviews, and career-guide development and career mapping.
Manage ServiceNow authorizations and oversee vacation reporting.
Approve department procurement and serve as department-level approver of expense reports, reimbursements, ship orders, work orders, and software purchases.
Facilitate procurement from RFP through receipt and invoicing, coordinate with vendors and service providers, and ensure invoices are paid promptly.
Supervise purchase-card processes, resolve problem letters and technical certifications, manage open commitments, audit and track assigned property, and lead aged-asset refreshes.
Direct space-plan updates, office moves, renovations, equipment, office-usage verification, and analysis of flexible work arrangements.
Analyze SET and OSAT data, serve as the department's principal contact for Facilities space planning, align space strategy with Laboratory objectives, establish space-use priorities, and maintain the space-planning database.
Provide high-level support to department leadership on special projects, data requests, senior-level meeting support, slide preparation, and professional engagement coordination.
Manage administrative office staff, the Assistant Department Business Manager, and co-op (LEAD) student and intern programs.
Represent the Security Department in the Operations Monthly Update by organizing and driving monthly content, with facilitation responsibilities rotating annually among Department Business Managers.
Participate in or lead cross-functional teams on business-related projects as needed.
Lead or champion high-priority projects and security initiatives and conduct audits and reviews to assess costs and drive efficiencies.