Grants Business Manager: College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies - UTK

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

1d•$65,000 - $75,000

About The Position

The Grants Business Manager serves as the college's primary business professional for sponsored projects, financial operations, and business administration within the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS). Reporting directly to the Director of Finance, Administration, and Operations (DFAO), this highly visible position provides leadership and oversight for grants and contracts administration while supporting college-wide unit-budgeting, financial planning, reporting, and operational excellence. The role extends well beyond traditional grants management by serving as a strategic financial partner to the DFAO that is responsible for maintaining the fiscal integrity of the college, improving business processes, and ensuring sound stewardship of university and sponsored funds. As a trusted partner to the DFAO, the Grants Business Manager plays a critical role in supporting one of the university's fastest growing and most innovative colleges. The position exercises independent judgment in managing the full lifecycle of sponsored projects, gift administration, financial reporting, budget development, forecasting, financial dashboards, and compliance activities while providing quality assurance over college financial operations. The successful candidate will proactively identify financial risks, resolve complex issues, strengthen internal controls, and develop efficient business processes that support the college's continued growth and strategic priorities. This position collaborates extensively with faculty, staff, university leadership, ORIED, sponsors, and external partners to ensure exceptional customer service, operational effectiveness, and compliance with university, state, federal, and sponsor requirements. The ideal candidate is an experienced business manager with strong expertise in grants administration, financial management, budgeting, and higher education business operations. This individual possesses exceptional analytical and organizational skills, sound financial judgment, and the ability to manage multiple complex priorities with accuracy and professionalism. The successful candidate thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, anticipates challenges before they arise, continuously seeks opportunities to improve operations, and is committed to providing outstanding financial stewardship, operational excellence, and strategic support that advances the mission and long-term success of CECS.

Requirements

Experienced business manager with strong expertise in grants administration, financial management, budgeting, and higher education business operations.
Exceptional analytical and organizational skills.
Sound financial judgment.
Ability to manage multiple complex priorities with accuracy and professionalism.
Thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Anticipates challenges before they arise.
Continuously seeks opportunities to improve operations.
Committed to providing outstanding financial stewardship, operational excellence, and strategic support.

Responsibilities

Serves as the college's primary business professional for sponsored projects, financial operations, and business administration.
Provides leadership and oversight for grants and contracts administration.
Supports college-wide unit-budgeting, financial planning, reporting, and operational excellence.
Manages the full lifecycle of sponsored projects, gift administration, financial reporting, budget development, forecasting, financial dashboards, and compliance activities.
Provides quality assurance over college financial operations.
Proactively identifies financial risks, resolves complex issues, strengthens internal controls, and develops efficient business processes.
Collaborates extensively with faculty, staff, university leadership, ORIED, sponsors, and external partners to ensure exceptional customer service, operational effectiveness, and compliance with university, state, federal, and sponsor requirements.