Finance Manager - College of Communication & Information - UTK

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

12h•$60,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for a Finance Manager in the College of Communication and Information (CCI). Position Summary: This position supports the financial and administrative operations of the College of Communication and Information (CCI), providing financial coordination and operational guidance to faculty, staff, and student employees. This role coordinates day-to-day business, financial, and administrative processes; prepares and analyzes financial data; and serves as a liaison with university offices to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely financial operations. The position applies established fiscal policies and procedures, monitors departmental compliance, and identifies issues requiring escalation to the Assistant Director and Assistant Dean of Finance and Administration. The position supports budget development and financial planning through data analysis, reporting, and operational recommendations. Additionally, the position coordinates contract and scholarship processes and supports complex financial and accounting activities as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, higher education administration, communications or other related field.
2 years of progressive experience in areas of business operations, finance, or higher education administration.
Data analysis and reporting skills (including Excel proficiency).
Ability to communicate financial information clearly to diverse stakeholders.
Strong leadership and organizational skills.
Collaboration and teamwork skills.
Ability to work independently and manage projects effectively.
Ability to prioritize, manage competing demands, and remain calm under pressure.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to document processes and procedures.
Ability to meet deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in business administration, higher education administration, communications or other related field.
4 years of progressive experience in areas of accounting or finance.
Experience in higher education.
Experience with UTK’s ERP system.
Supervisory or leadership experience.
Experience with creating and/or maintaining P&L's and other financial reports.
Detailed financial analysis and interpretation of financial data and reports.
Ability to document and explain (or train) highly technical information to lay people.

Responsibilities

Financial Analysis, Reporting & Budget Management: Leverage ERP financial data to deliver advanced financial analysis and recurring/ad-hoc reporting for travel, procurement, and payables; independently advise stakeholders by interpreting data and providing operational guidance.
Analyze and reconcile departmental financial data to assess operational impact, providing strategic guidance to department heads and the Assistant Director to facilitate informed decision-making on operational spending.
Generate, maintain and distribute monthly financial reports to department heads and other college leadership.
Monitor accounts receivable, expenditures, fund balances, and award spending to ensure accuracy and compliance; advise department heads and directors on potential risks and propose actionable solutions.
Collect and analyze data for annual budget development and reporting.
Develop and maintain reporting tools and databases to meet internal and institutional requirements.
Research, recommend, and implement solutions to complex budgeting situations.
Maintain existing and establish new CCI COAs (entity, fund, department, program, and activity codes), assign DASH role access to new employees, and conduct routine checks of access, correcting as needed.
Financial Operations & Compliance: Approve financial and HR transactions (invoices, labor schedules, position changes, etc.) in DASH for CCI to ensure accuracy and compliance with University and College policies, serving as delegate for Assistant Director and HR Manager as needed.
Review contracts, scholarship requests, and related documentation for accuracy and compliance; track and oversee workflow for these processes.
Manage complex procurement actions (RFQuote, RFProposal, NCJ) in accordance with policy.
Monitor DASH expenses and ledgers and address routine compliance issues.
Develop and maintain documented procedures and best-practice guidance for financial, scholarship, travel, and contract operations.
Collaborate with the Assistant Director to coordinate audit readiness and year-end reporting by managing data requests, drafting fiscal summaries, and providing procedural clarification during auditor engagements.
Design and conduct fiscal compliance workshops for department personnel, covering critical areas such as budget revisions and policy review.
Financial Coordination & Operational Leadership: Enhance the efficiency of CCI’s financial functions by streamlining operations and modeling best practices for the Financial Associate to ensure a cohesive and high-performing finance team.
Oversee the OFA inbox in coordination with the Financial Associate, triaging and resolving complex inquiries while ensuring all responses meet established standards.
Serve as the primary point of escalation for the Associate, providing technical guidance and mentorship to resolve high-level issues.
Support the Assistant Director with financial planning activities by providing operational data, analysis, and recommendations.
Develop and refine standard operating procedures for CCI Radio, The Media Center, scholarship administration, travel, and contract operations; provide targeted training to stakeholders to ensure seamless procedural efficiency.
Provide guidance to administrative staff and department heads on established financial policies and procedures.
Facilitate fiscal onboarding and one-on-one training sessions for administrative staff, establishing a high standard for process accuracy and regulatory compliance.
Other related duties as needed and assigned by the Assistant Director or the Assistant Dean of Finance and Administration.