Senior Business Manager, Academic Affairs

University of New Orleans•New Orleans, LA

11d

About The Position

The Senior Business Manager for Academic Affairs serves as the administrative and business operations leader for the Division of Academic Affairs. This position provides strategic oversight of all business managers and assistant business managers within Academic Affairs and serves as the primary liaison among academic and administrative units to ensure effective personnel, budget, and operational management.

Requirements

Master’s degree and at least five years of progressively responsible experience in business, finance, budgeting, human resources, academic administration, or related field.

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education administration, budgeting, and faculty personnel processes.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic oversight of all personnel actions within the Division of Academic Affairs, ensuring compliance with university policies, applicable regulations, and institutional priorities prior to Provost approval.
Serves as the primary business and administrative liaison among Academic Affairs, Human Resource Management, Finance, Payroll, and academic leadership to facilitate effective workforce planning and personnel administration.
Directs and oversees faculty and staff recruitment, appointment, and employment processes across Academic Affairs, ensuring efficiency, consistency, and compliance with institutional requirements.
Provides leadership and consultation to Deans, Department Chairs, and business managers regarding faculty appointments, personnel actions, organizational structure, and workforce management strategies.
Oversees the administration of faculty contracts, appointments, endowed positions, professorships, chairs, stipends, and other compensation-related actions.
Serves as the financial advisor and budget administrator for the Division of Academic Affairs, providing strategic leadership in budget development, allocation, forecasting, and resource management.
Collaborates with the Provost, Finance, and divisional leadership to develop and implement annual operating budgets that align financial resources with institutional goals and academic priorities.
Conducts comprehensive financial analyses and develops recommendations regarding budget utilization, resource allocation, cost containment initiatives, and long-range fiscal planning.
Monitors divisional financial performance and operational expenditures, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities to enhance fiscal stewardship and organizational effectiveness.
Provides executive-level financial guidance and decision-support to academic and administrative leaders regarding budget planning, financial management, and resource optimization.
Provides strategic direction and operational oversight for all business functions within Academic Affairs, ensuring consistency, efficiency, accountability, and adherence to university policies and procedures.
Leads, mentors, and develops a network of college and departmental business managers and assistant business managers, establishing expectations, best practices, and performance standards across the division.
Develops and implements business processes designed to improve operational efficiency, enhance internal controls, and promote continuous improvement throughout Academic Affairs.
Serves as the divisional authority on business operations, personnel administration, and fiscal management matters.
Oversees divisional compliance with university policies, state and federal regulations, compensation guidelines, and internal control requirements related to personnel and financial activities.
Reviews and evaluates additional compensation requests to ensure fiscal responsibility, policy compliance, and appropriate utilization of institutional resources.
Provides recommendations to the provost regarding complex personnel, budgetary, and operational matters requiring executive-level review and approval.
Ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms are in place to support accountability, compliance, and informed decision-making.
Coordinates review and approval processes related to international travel and other specialized travel requests to ensure alignment with institutional requirements and operational needs.
Supports strategic initiatives and operational priorities of the Provost's Office through planning, analysis, and implementation of administrative solutions.
Leads the strategic administration and enhancement of business process systems utilized by Academic Affairs, including electronic workflow and personnel management platforms.
Collaborates with Information Technology leadership to improve the effectiveness, functionality, and efficiency of administrative systems supporting Academic Affairs operations.
Identifies opportunities for automation, process redesign, and technology enhancements that support operational excellence and informed decision-making.
Serves as a trusted advisor and resource to Deans, Department Chairs, and business staff regarding personnel administration, financial operations, compliance requirements, and organizational effectiveness.
Promotes a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and customer service throughout the division.
Performs other duties and participates in special projects and university initiatives as assigned by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.