HR Budget and Operations Manager

George Mason University•Fairfax, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The HR Budget and Operations Manager provides comprehensive support for the HR department's financial and administrative operations. This position manages the HR operating budget, oversees office and facilities coordination, and manages the supervisor responsible for the HR customer service team. In partnership with the AVP for Total Rewards, the role supports financial planning, position control, procurement, and office management. The position ensures fiscal integrity, operational effectiveness, and high-quality service delivery by coordinating resources, streamlining processes, and providing guidance to staff. The role has a critical leadership function in transforming the HR front desk into a Center of Excellence (COE) for employee services, implementing a tiered support model to enhance efficiency, improve the customer experience, and ensure that inquiries are resolved at the appropriate level before being escalated to subject matter experts (SMEs).

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and related experience;
Considerable progressively responsible experience in financial analysis, fiscal, or budget management (typically three to five years);
Experience managing complex budgets and financial systems in a large, decentralized organization;
Demonstrated experience preparing reports, conducting variance analysis, and supporting budget development cycles;
Experience working with financial data tools and spreadsheets (e.g., Excel, including pivot tables and formulas);
Knowledge of financial planning and budget management in a higher education or similarly complex setting;
Knowledge of procurement, vendor contracting, and administrative compliance requirements;
Skill in financial analysis and modeling using Excel and other tools;
Skill in organizing staffing, workload distribution, and budgets to support smooth operations, including scheduling, resource utilization, and forecasting;
Skill in developing and maintaining process documentation and standard operating procedures;
Skill in customer service and internal client support;
Skill in cross-functional collaboration and strategic communication;
Skill in organization and time management to handle multiple priorities, deadlines, and shifting needs with efficiency;
Skill in managing office operations, including supply management, space planning, equipment lifecycle, vendor coordination, calendaring protocols, and front-office workflow oversight;
Demonstrated resourcefulness and a results-oriented mindset in navigating institutional procedures and achieving deliverables;
Ability to develop and present clear financial reports for a non-financial audience;
Ability to interpret and apply institutional fiscal policies;
Ability to take initiative and follow through on tasks with minimal supervision, ensuring projects are completed accurately and on time;
Ability to coordinate complex administrative and financial processes independently;
Ability to design, organize, and manage workflows to ensure processes are efficient, repeatable, and aligned with organizational goals, including developing work plans, prioritizing tasks, allocating resources, and coordinating across teams;
Ability to manage competing priorities in a structured and orderly manner through clear deadlines, effective time allocation, and disciplined follow-through; and
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive HR and financial data with discretion.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in finance, public administration, or a related discipline.
Significant years of experience in financial or budget analysis, ideally in a higher education, nonprofit, or public sector environment (typically five to seven years);
Experience working directly with human resources operations or supporting HR budgets (such as position control, salary planning, or workforce funding);
Familiarity with enterprise systems (e.g., Banner, Workday, PeopleSoft) and data visualization/reporting tools (e.g., MicroStrategy, Power BI);
Experience supporting or coordinating office operations, procurement, or vendor management in an administrative setting;
Experience with HR or financial data governance frameworks;
Experience supporting organizational change initiatives or managing operational transitions;
Knowledge of HR operations, including compensation and benefits funding;
Familiarity with ERP systems such as Banner, Workday, or PeopleSoft;
Familiarity with procurement workflows, contract administration, or vendor management systems;
Skill in creating dashboards using Tableau, Power BI, or similar platforms;
Skill in project coordination or operational logistics within a higher education or similarly complex setting;
Skill in process improvement methodologies;
Ability to navigate multi-fund budgeting and cost allocation; and
Ability to drive completion of cross-departmental tasks and follow up with stakeholders diplomatically and effectively.

Responsibilities

Manages the development, reconciliation, and oversight of HR’s annual operating budget in partnership with the AVP;
Prepares financial forecasts, quarterly projections, and variance analyses to support decision-making;
Conducts monthly fiscal reconciliations, reviews commitments, processes journal vouchers, and resolves discrepancies;
Collaborates with Budget, Fiscal Services, and other offices as appropriate;
Maintains documentation to support audits and financial reviews Monitors grants, contracts, and special funds, ensuring compliance with funding requirements;
Supports compensation and position control processes, including monthly roster reviews and position funding alignment;
Manages procurement processes, including purchase orders, card transactions, invoice approvals, and vendor payments; Prepares and presents financial reports to the AVP and HR leadership team; and
Monitors HR-related sponsored fund and non-E&G fund spending.
Oversees HR office operations, including supply inventory, ordering, and vendor coordination;
Maintains an organized, functional, and safe HR suite, ensuring equipment and workspaces are in optimal condition;
Serves as the primary point of contact for facilities requests, including equipment setup, repairs, painting, and workspace modifications;
Manages space utilization, office layout, and storage organization;
Oversees equipment inventory, surplus processing, and compliance with asset management requirements;
Coordinates general office operations, supply management, and vendor communications;
Provides logistical support for department meetings, events, and space usage; and
Serves as an administrative liaison for HR’s operational support needs.
Provides direct supervision and management of the Customer Service Supervisor, ensuring clear expectations, supportive coaching, and alignment with HR service standards;
Offers strategic guidance to promote consistent, high-quality service delivery across the HR front desk and customer service team;
Ensures service workflows, standard operating procedures, and knowledge resources are developed, documented, and maintained to support effective service delivery; and
Reviews service delivery metrics and works collaboratively with the Supervisor to identify trends, strengthen processes, and drive continuous improvement.
Oversees HR personnel file management and compliance with federal and Virginia recordkeeping laws;
Works in coordination with the HR Data Management team in responding to FOIA and employee file requests;
Supports digitization and archiving of HR records;
Maintains and secures the HR file room, ensuring confidentiality and access control protocols are followed;
Collaborates with Budget, Fiscal Services, and Internal Audit; and
Maintains documentation to support audits and financial reviews.
Coordinates with ITS for equipment setup, technology troubleshooting, and software ordering;
Acts as the primary contact for Canon copier maintenance and supply needs;
Manages telecom projects and service changes, including new number assignments and service disconnections;
Runs monthly telecom usage reports and perform audits; and
Serves as the point of contact for building and suite access requests, including card and key management.