The mission of the College of Education, Health and Human Development is to prepare highly qualified professionals through exemplary programs; advance knowledge about education, health, and human development; and serve the people of Montana and the nation through outreach and practical application of its expertise. Our college is home to a variety of programs that fulfill Montana’s land grant mission of providing services to the people of Montana and beyond.
Under direct supervision of the Assistant to the Dean, the Business Operations Manager provides high-level administrative and operational support to the Dean’s Office and departments within the College of Education, Health and Human Development. This person also provides grant management support to Principal Investigators within the college. The person in this position plays a critical role in managing administrative and fiscal operations, as well as providing general support to faculty, staff, and students in realizing the educational and research mission of the college.
Under direct supervision of the Assistant to the Dean, the Business Operations Manager provides high-level administrative and operational support to the Dean’s Office and departments within the College of Education, Health and Human Development. This person also provides grant management support to Principal Investigators within the college. The person in this position plays a critical role in managing administrative and fiscal operations, as well as providing general support to faculty, staff, and students in realizing the educational and research mission of the college.
Duties and Responsibilities
Fiscal Liaison
- Collaborates with the college’s Budget & Fiscal Manager to coordinate budgets within the college that are reconciled and managed on a day-to-day basis, including main salaries and operations.
- In close cooperation with others on the team, manages payroll reconciliation, accounting, budgeting functions, and post-award grant support.
- Prepares budget for graduate student programs, graders, and all events, including conferences and/or student field trips. Serves as a liaison with Fiscal Shared Services, University Business Services, and Procurement Services as appropriate.
HR Liaison
- Serves as the first point of contact for hiring and payroll processes such as new employee forms and pre-payroll audits. Troubleshoots discrepancies and resolves errors as necessary.
- Creates and processes various types of appointments for faculty (tenure track and non-tenure track), staff, graduate, and undergraduate students.
- Serves as the first point of contact and liaison with the HR Service Center and communicates with EHHD’s HR Business Partner as appropriate. May act as a Search Manager for EHHD’s faculty and staff searches, oversee applicant pools, and coordinate the recruitment and selection process through Applicant Tracking System. Works with others on selection and hiring logistics.
Operations
- As a part of the Dean’s Office reception staff, exhibits service excellence to students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders.
- Serves as the first point of contact for departmental and college operations inquiries.
- Coordinates the daily functions, workloads, and services of business operations within the college. Takes the lead or contributes to projects as appropriate.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- A Bachelor’s degree or progressively responsible administrative/office management experience with an emphasis on fiscal management, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
- Demonstrated competence in managing and maintaining records with a high degree of accuracy and close attention to detail, generating multiple reports and communicating complex information effectively to various constituents.
- Demonstrated competence using Microsoft Office software.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Advanced skills in Excel and database management.
- Knowledge of MSU procedures and policies or previous experience working in an academic department in a higher education setting
The Successful Candidate Will
- Thrive in an “open door” environment by fostering productive and positive working relationships with various constituencies, including students, administrators, co-workers, and faculty.
- Demonstrate excellent written and in-person communication skills and interpersonal skills with the ability to articulate detailed information and policies both verbally and in writing to a variety of constituents.
- Demonstrate self-motivation, good judgment, and the ability to independently follow through on tasks and projects to completion under minimum supervision.
- Aptitude for problem-solving and facilitating the work of others.
- Ability to manage sensitive situations and complex and confidential information with discretion by applying strong analytical skills and good judgment.
- Represent the Dean’s Office; College of Education, Health and Human Development; and MSU to others in a professional and courteous manner.
- Demonstrate competence in prioritizing multiple work assignments/ projects and/or organizing and managing events, meeting deadlines, and exercising adaptability to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, effective, and professional attitude.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties?
No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
At the completion of a successful search
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on August 6, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
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