Assistant Finance & Business Operations Manager (Athletics & Recreation)

About the Role

This role provides advanced financial analysis, operational oversight, and coordination of fiscal activities for assigned units, with a specialized focus on Athletics along with support and collaboration for Campus Recreation, Club Sports, and Intramural Programs. The position supports day‑to‑day financial operations while contributing to budget planning, compliance, and process improvement initiatives in collaboration with the Finance and Business Operations Manager. It also leads the development and implementation of training programs for sports supervisors, coaches, and program staff, ensuring compliance with University policies and applicable Division I NCAA rules and regulations. The incumbent provides targeted support for NCAA audit and compliance processes and functions as the primary operational finance lead for Athletics, exercising delegated authority for transaction review, compliance coordination, training delivery, and financial issue resolution.

Position details: 100% FTE, Salary Band S05, Administrative (exempt/non‑exempt) – University Business Managers department.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business (completed by start date) with a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in accounting or finance; OR
• Associate’s degree in business (completed by start date) with 7 years of accounting/finance experience; OR
• 10 or more years of accounting/finance experience in lieu of a degree.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, remain organized, prioritize work, and apply a high level of attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in intercollegiate athletics, campus recreation, or a related higher‑education environment with direct exposure to athletics business operations.
• Experience providing financial training, process guidance, or functional supervision to staff or departmental users.
• Experience with Banner Finance, Wright Buy, Emburse, or similar ERP systems.
• Experience in higher‑education finance or public‑sector environments.

Essential Functions

Financial Operations, Processing, and Oversight (30%)

• Work closely with Athletics and related departments to ensure financial transactions are processed accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with university policies and athletics‑specific requirements.
• Review, validate, and either approve or escalate purchase orders, payments, and other financial transactions.
• Coordinate travel and expense processing, including review of team travel, recruiting, and program‑related expenses.
• Maintain organized and auditable financial records in alignment with institutional and athletics compliance expectations.

Policy Compliance, Training, and Process Improvement (20%)

• Ensure adherence to university policies and external requirements, including NCAA guidelines where applicable.
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver training programs for sports supervisors, coaches, and staff on financial procedures, purchasing, travel, risk management, and compliance expectations.
• Serve as the operational finance and compliance lead, partnering with stakeholders to reinforce policies outlined in institutional and athletics‑specific guidance.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and contribute to the development of standardized procedures.

Reconciliation, Analysis, and Reporting (15%)

• Reconcile financial transactions within Banner Finance systems to ensure accuracy across funds and organizations.
• Perform detailed financial analysis, monitor expense trends, and identify budget concerns.
• Prepare financial reports and projections to support decision‑making, compliance reporting, and fiscal planning.

Budget Support and Financial Planning (15%)

• Assist with development, monitoring, and forecasting of departmental budgets across Athletics.
• Support annual budgeting processes and provide recommendations on resource allocation, cost containment, and operational efficiencies.
• Contribute to financial projections related to team operations, program expansion, and facility usage where applicable.

Personnel Coordination (10%)

• Assist with personnel‑related financial processes such as PAFs, EPAFs, position funding reconciliation, and payroll coordination.
• Support hiring and onboarding processes with emphasis on compliance training and financial responsibility expectations.

Special Projects, Compliance, and Audit Support (10%)

• Conduct research, assist with audits, and support special financial or operational projects as assigned.
• Provide direct support for NCAA audit and compliance review processes, including data gathering, documentation preparation, and coordination with internal stakeholders and auditors.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the strategic goals of the department.

Working Conditions

Employment is contingent on background checks, including criminal record, credit history (when job‑related), and education verifications. An administrative review will be conducted if the university learns that an employee is charged with or convicted of a crime (except minor vehicle violations). Wright State University is a tobacco‑free campus; tobacco use, sale, advertising, sampling, and distribution are prohibited in all university facilities, grounds, residence halls, apartments, university‑sponsored events, university vehicles, and on any equipment owned, leased, or operated by the university.