Manager, Business Operations

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

8d • $88,300 - $115,350 • Onsite

About The Position

The Business Operations Manager is responsible for the cross-functional management and administration of resources for the Department of Microbiology, the Center for Life Sciences Education (CLSE), and the support of the Life Sciences Consortium (LSC), including but not limited to finance, processes and operations, human capital, facilities, systems, and communication. Business Operations Managers gather and analyze data to monitor and improve performance and reinforce strategic decision-making. They are responsible for aligning the strategy with business resources. They manage relationships within the organizations and, at times, relationships with peer institutions or community organizations. This role manages business operations and provides expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, expense control, and revenue enhancement. The Manager reports to the Director of Business Operations, with a dotted-line relationship supporting the Department Chair and Center Director by ensuring sound financial management through effective budgeting and forecasting, as well as conducting regular financial reporting and analysis. Responsibilities include tracking financial commitments, managing fiscal processing (including procurement and travel), and completing monthly reconciliations of HR and fiscal transactions. The Manager will oversee the Department and Center Financial Year End process for their respective units. They collaborate with HR to address staffing needs, oversee onboarding for new hires, and ensure an appropriate number of Lecturers and Graduate Associates are hired each semester. The Manager serves as the Cost Center Manager (CCM), advising faculty, staff, and students on operational & financial policies and procedures, and ensuring the reconciliation of departmental, center, and consortium ledgers. The Manager will serve as a back-up CCM to other Life Sciences Departments and/or Centers counterparts and will assist the Director of Business Operations with short-term interim backup support if related vacancies arise within the College. They implement university operational & financial policies while integrating College, Department, & Center policy and procedures appropriately, approve transactions, and serve as a liaison for external grants with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), contract liaison with the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA), managing budget preparation and account maintenance. As an administrative leader, the Business Operations Manager resolves operational and financial issues, supervises department and center staff supporting functions including financial operations, office administration, and academic program services, and sets performance goals and benchmarks to promote growth and efficiency within the department and center. The Manager will assist the Director of Business Operations in building collaborative, high-performing teams across the LSC and within the Department and Center. Additionally, the Manager assists with overseeing the administrative portions of the Departmental and Center annual P&T process and provides guidance throughout the academic year of the Microbiology curriculum scheduling process in collaboration with the Vice Chair of Undergraduate Studies; the Manager will provide guidance and input over Biology curriculum staffing impacts to the Center Director. This position regularly collaborates with life sciences managers and may serve as a resource for other managers within the College. Under the direction of the Director of Business Operations, the Manager will participate in assisting with the support and implementation of the Life Sciences Consortium, which will include, but is not limited to such tasks as providing financial back-up cost center manager status for related Life Sciences Units in the College, reviewing related operational processes, collecting and analyzing data, and/or reviewing organizational design.

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 with long-term operational strategic planning.
• Experience in managing budgets, financial reconciliation, advising leaders on operations, and financial decision-making.
• 8 or more years of relevant operations experience.
• Supervisory experience of 2 or more employees is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Cross-functional management and administration of resources for the Department of Microbiology, the Center for Life Sciences Education (CLSE), and the Life Sciences Consortium (LSC).
• Gather and analyze data to monitor and improve performance and reinforce strategic decision-making.
• Align strategy with business resources.
• Manage relationships within organizations and with peer institutions or community organizations.
• Provide expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, expense control, and revenue enhancement.
• Track financial commitments, manage fiscal processing (including procurement and travel), and complete monthly reconciliations of HR and fiscal transactions.
• Oversee the Department and Center Financial Year End process.
• Collaborate with HR to address staffing needs, oversee onboarding for new hires, and ensure appropriate hiring of Lecturers and Graduate Associates.
• Serve as the Cost Center Manager (CCM), advising faculty, staff, and students on operational & financial policies and procedures, and ensuring reconciliation of departmental, center, and consortium ledgers.
• Serve as a back-up CCM to other Life Sciences Departments and/or Centers counterparts.
• Assist the Director of Business Operations with short-term interim backup support for related vacancies.
• Implement university operational & financial policies while integrating College, Department, & Center policy and procedures.
• Approve transactions.
• Serve as a liaison for external grants with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) and contract liaison with the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA).
• Manage budget preparation and account maintenance.
• Resolve operational and financial issues.
• Supervise department and center staff supporting functions including financial operations, office administration, and academic program services.
• Set performance goals and benchmarks to promote growth and efficiency.
• Assist the Director of Business Operations in building collaborative, high-performing teams.
• Assist with overseeing the administrative portions of the Departmental and Center annual P&T process.
• Provide guidance on Microbiology curriculum scheduling and Biology curriculum staffing impacts.
• Collaborate with life sciences managers and serve as a resource for other managers within the College.
• Participate in assisting with the support and implementation of the Life Sciences Consortium, including providing financial back-up cost center manager status, reviewing operational processes, collecting and analyzing data, and reviewing organizational design.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager