Manager, Business Operations
About The Position
The Business Operations Manager provides cross-functional, strategic leadership and operational oversight for multiple, robust academic departments and centers in the College of Arts and Sciences including the Department of History, the Department of African American and African Studies, and the Melton Center for Jewish Studies. Additional departments will be added as the college’s business operations organizational structure evolves. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, budgeting and finance, oversight of fiscal operations, human resources, graduate student management, renovations, and other administrative functions required by the units. This position also provides support to the Director of Business Operations on college level projects and initiatives. This role manages business operations and provides expertise in financial reporting, planning, budgeting, expense control, and revenue optimization. The Manager reports to the Director of Business Operations, with a dotted-line relationship to each Department Chair and Center Director, supporting them through sound financial management, effective budgeting and forecasting, and regular financial reporting and analysis. Key responsibilities include tracking financial commitments, managing fiscal processing (including procurement and travel), and completing monthly reconciliations of HR and financial transactions. The Manager collaborates with Human Resources to address staffing needs, oversees onboarding for new hires, and ensures appropriate staffing levels for Lecturers and Graduate Associates each semester. The Manager serves as the Cost Center Manager, advising faculty, staff, and students on policies and procedures, ensuring accurate reconciliation of departmental ledgers, and maintaining compliance with university financial policies. This role includes approving transactions, supporting external grant activity, and managing budget preparation and account maintenance. As a leader, the Business Operations Manager resolves operational issues, supervises staff supporting key functions including financial operations, office administration, and academic program services, and establishes performance expectations and benchmarks to promote efficiency and continuous improvement across the units. Under the direction of the Director of Business Operations, the Manager plays an active role in supporting operational priorities and advancing strategic initiatives. This includes, but is not limited to: contributing to special projects and cross-functional efforts; collecting, and analyzing data to inform decision-making; providing support during managerial vacancies to provide coverage to ensure continuity of operations during transitions or vacancies; and partnering on organizational design initiatives, including evaluating structures, identifying efficiencies, and recommending improvements to better align resources with unit priorities and long-term goals. Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Level Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant business operations experience
- Considerable experience using MS Excel
- Supervisory experience required
Nice To Haves
- Proficiency with Workday
- Experience in managing budgets
- Experience in financial reconciliation
- Experience advising leaders on operations
- Experience in financial decision-making
- 8 or more years of relevant business operations experience
- Supervisory experience of 2 or more employees
Responsibilities
- Provides cross-functional, strategic leadership and operational oversight for multiple academic departments and centers.
- Manages budgeting and finance, including oversight of fiscal operations, human resources, graduate student management, renovations, and other administrative functions.
- Supports the Director of Business Operations on college-level projects and initiatives.
- Provides expertise in financial reporting, planning, budgeting, expense control, and revenue optimization.
- Tracks financial commitments, manages fiscal processing (including procurement and travel), and completes monthly reconciliations of HR and financial transactions.
- Collaborates with Human Resources to address staffing needs, oversees onboarding for new hires, and ensures appropriate staffing levels for Lecturers and Graduate Associates.
- Serves as the Cost Center Manager, advising faculty, staff, and students on policies and procedures, ensuring accurate reconciliation of departmental ledgers, and maintaining compliance with university financial policies.
- Approves transactions, supports external grant activity, and manages budget preparation and account maintenance.
- Resolves operational issues, supervises staff supporting financial operations, office administration, and academic program services.
- Establishes performance expectations and benchmarks to promote efficiency and continuous improvement.
- Contributes to special projects and cross-functional efforts.
- Collects and analyzes data to inform decision-making.
- Provides support during managerial vacancies to ensure continuity of operations.
- Partners on organizational design initiatives, including evaluating structures, identifying efficiencies, and recommending improvements.
Benefits
- Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.
- Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.
- State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
