Business Manager (Director of Budget & Administration)

Budget/Planning

Provides overall financial leadership and planning in the management of all funding sources available to the School of Journalism and Mass Communications and all other units within the school, following State and University policies and procedures.

Captures strategic review of resource allocation to ensure funds are directed toward strategic initiatives of the School and the University.

• Prepares and develops the annual operating budget, analysis of carry forward and reserve balances, and an all-funds budget model.
• Reviews and authorizes state and private payments to verify appropriate funding sources are used and that funds are not overspent or underspent.
• Manages annual budget requests from internal units, summarizes requests for the Dean, and distributes approved budgets to units.
• Develops summer school budget with senior leadership team and provides recommendations based upon profit/loss scenarios.
• Serves as a lead liaison for the School as it relates to University awards, summer research funding, research grants, and Endowment funds.
• Serves as a lead representative on financial committees for the School.
• Consults with University central offices (KU Budget Office, Comptroller, Office of Research, Endowment, Human Resources) and other units on funding, financial and policy issues.
• Assists principal investigators with evaluating budget needs for proposal activities and provides guidance on appropriate expenditures.
• Works as a lead liaison between the School and the Shared Service Center as it relates to all financial matters to ensure fiscal accuracy and accountability.
• Responsible for leading all audits of financial activities, including but not limited to all payroll expenditures.
• Establishes internal controls to ensure the School is following all state, federal, and/or endowment requirements.
• Provides strategic advice to the Dean on all financial matters and significant budget issues throughout the year.
• Serves as a key leader for all audits of the School’s financial expenditures.
• Reviews, reconciles and balances all state and private funds.
• Provides reporting to the Dean and other leaders on a regular basis.
• Responsible for compiling financial data for accreditation reporting, etc.

  Personnel Management

  Provides administrative support and tracking for faculty and staff merit, Promotion and Tenure processes, faculty hiring coordination, and may oversee administrative staff in the school.

  • Serves as the coordinator of funding for all payroll related transactions for all appointments within the School, including overload and award payments.
  • In coordination with HR Partner and Central HR staff when needed, provides consultation with Dean on personnel related issues and processes.
  • Serves as committee chair and supervisor for administrative hires.
  • In coordination with the Associate Dean, assists in managing Lecturer and Instructor pool related hires each semester.
  • Manages summer pay appointments for faculty and 3G hires (GRA/GTA/GA).
  • Maintains security of personnel files and other records.

  Sponsored Project Support

  Act as lead liaison between the School’s faculty and research staff, and KUOR in managing externally funded awards, sponsored projects and contracts.

  • Coordinates resources with the School’s Research Office to support research faculty and staff.
  • Affords grants management and related training in financial compliance areas.

  Administrative Support

  Develops School procedures with the Dean and leadership team related to financial operations in accordance with best practices.

  • Works with key offices to ensure accuracy and compliance.
  • Attends meetings related to budget, payroll and other financial events held by the University, Office of Research, Endowment, etc.

  Other

  Performs other duties as assigned.