Senior Business Operations & Travel Specialist

University of Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Budget and Business Operations team, part of the Office of the Vice President for Budget and Finance, provides essential budget, financial, and service functions. The Senior Business Operations and Travel Specialist offers comprehensive financial and operational support to System Administration departments. This role involves specialized expertise in travel coordination, procurement, and expense management, adhering to University of Colorado, state, and federal policies. Key responsibilities include partnering with the Board Engagement Events Coordinator to manage travel for the University's nine Regents, and serving as the System Administration subject matter expert for procurement, travel, and expense policies. The position acts as the primary liaison between departments and CU’s Procurement Service Center (PSC), requiring a high degree of independence, discretion, and a thorough understanding of departmental procedures and regulations to ensure accuracy, compliance, and effective service delivery. The role reports to the Assistant Director of Finance and Business Operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, public administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and progressive professional experience.
Four (4) or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in business operations, procurement, travel, expense management, or financial administration.
Experience serving as a primary resource or liaison for business operations functions, including coordination with central service units or shared service centers.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain policies and procedures to a wide range of audiences.
High level of proficiency with business and financial systems and related technology tools.
Applicants must be Colorado residents or able to relocate to Colorado within a month of starting employment with University of Colorado System Administration.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a public higher education or governmental environment with complex regulatory and compliance requirements.
Familiarity with University of Colorado policies, systems, and tools, including procurement and travel platforms (PeopleSoft Finance, PeopleSoft HCM, Concur, and Cognos software).
Demonstrated expertise supporting executive‑level or board‑level stakeholders, including responsibility for high‑visibility or mission‑critical travel coordination.
Advanced knowledge of procurement, travel, and expense policies, including reimbursement compliance and exception handling.
Knowledge of the business, financial, and organizational structure of CU.
Knowledge of and the ability to utilize PeopleSoft Finance and HR, Concur, and Cognos.
Knowledge of Finance, Accounting, and Procurement best practices.
Customer service skills include actively listening, addressing customer needs, defusing tense situations, and maintaining an open, flexible, and friendly demeanor.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other University personnel, and the public.
Ability to work independently, under pressure, manage multiple concurrent tasks and responsibilities, and deal with changing priorities while maintaining personal effectiveness.
Computer skills, including utilizing Microsoft Office programs (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) with advanced skills in Microsoft Excel.
Ability to learn and experiment with new software and systems.
Skilled in written and oral communications, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Ability to navigate a complex political environment.
Ability to handle and maintain sensitive and confidential material.
Ability to follow procedures.

Responsibilities

Acts as the primary fiscal point of contact for the Office of the Board of Regents by coordinating travel arrangements and managing and processing all expense reports and reimbursements, ensuring alignment with the Office of Budget and Finance.
Serves as the department’s principal authority on CU travel policy and per diem regulations, providing end‑to‑end technical support for travel logistics and reservations throughout the Regent travel lifecycle.
Executes travel reservations for regents' business travel (including flights, hotel reservations, and car rentals), managing technical travel-related communications, and developing detailed itineraries.
Serves as a liaison and advisor, facilitating collaboration among the Board of Regents, offices within the Office of the President, and campus staff to ensure effective, cohesive working relationships.
Acts as the primary policy interpreter and problem-solver for complex or ambiguous travel issues, exercising independent judgment to interpret policy, resolve gray areas, provide recommendations, and escalate only the most exceptional cases beyond established protocols.
Provides strategic guidance and oversight to departmental staff utilizing the Concur Travel & Expense System, ensuring thorough documentation review and strict adherence to CU policies; leads training and process improvements to enhance efficiency and compliance.
Leads the resolution of complex travel and expense reimbursement issues by collaborating with employees and cross functional partners and implementing quality assurance controls.
Provides comprehensive financial and operational support to System Administration departments by overseeing purchasing, accounting, and related financial transactions; independently resolves issues through policy research, procedural analysis, and coordination with the Procurement Service Center (PSC).
Ensures that all financial transactions are accurately documented and recorded in accordance with CU policies during month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close processes; identifies discrepancies and prepares corrective journal entries as necessary.
Maintains expert‑level knowledge of institutional, state, and federal fiscal and procurement policies and procedures and ensures appropriate routing and execution of budget and financial processes.
Initiates and prepares journal entries for monthly, quarterly, and annual transfers between departments and campuses, as directed by senior finance leadership.
Processes purchasing requests from requisition through PO creation and invoice payment, ensuring documentation accuracy and compliance with CU procurement requirements.
Oversees specialized procurement activities for the Office of the Board of Regents, including official printed materials, ensuring cost effectiveness, quality, and adherence to institutional standards.
Serves as a procurement subject matter expert (SME) for the Budget and Finance and Board of Regent offices, providing advanced guidance, mentoring, and policy interpretation to departmental staff and fostering strong collaboration with the Procurement Service Center (PSC).
Establishes and maintains monitoring controls for all active standing purchase orders (SPOs), ensuring timely renewals, appropriate closures, ongoing risk assessment, and uninterrupted operational continuity.
Manages procurement activities in the Office of the Vice President for Budget and Finance and Chief Financial Officer using a procurement card; ensuring compliance with transactions, researching best value options, and completing timely reconciliation and reporting.
Provides oversight of building management, including key control, parking access coordination, and repair and maintenance requests, and other duties.
Oversees the preparation, review, and reconciliation of monthly invoices and journal entries for rent and building services, ensuring accuracy and compliance with financial policies.
Serves as the primary Fire Warden and leads emergency preparedness initiatives for System Administration by developing, implementing, and coordinating comprehensive safety, evacuation, and response strategies.
Manages the surplus and disposal program for office supplies and furniture, including process improvements and policy development to support efficiency, compliance, and sustainability goals.
Performs other duties as assigned to support the Office of the Vice President for Budget & Finance and Chief Financial Officer and the Board of Regents office.

Benefits

No-cost or low-cost medical & dental plan options, some inclusive of IVF assistance.
Disability, Life, Vision Insurance options.
Multiple retirement planning options including a mandatory 401(a) plan where CU contributes 10% of your gross pay, a 401k or 403b plan and a 457 deferred compensation plan.
Pre-tax savings plans, such as Health care and Dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Ample sick and vacation leave, along with at least 12 paid holidays.
A dedicated week off for winter break.
6 weeks of parental leave.
A tuition benefit program for you and/or your dependents.
Free RTD EcoPass and free onsite parking at our 1800 Grant Street Office.
Many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.
Additional taxable fringe benefits may be available.