Business Operations Manager

Brief Position Overview

The Access and Success Business Operations Manager (BOM) is a key operational leader for Access and Success, responsible for overseeing daily administrative functions, front desk operations within the Allen Yarnell Center, and business processes that support multiple student-facing programs. This role supervises student employees, manages budgets and procurement, and coordinates closely with university partners to ensure efficient and high-quality service delivery in a fast-paced environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional front-line customer service and reception within the Allen Yarnell Center to all students, families, employers, faculty, staff, and external partners for Success Advising, Career Services, Office of Financial Education, Return 2 Learn, Hilleman Scholars Program, and the Montana 10 Program.
• Oversee all aspects of front office management including hiring, training, scheduling, and supervision of student employees to ensure adequate front desk coverage and accurate dissemination of information for offices within the Center.
• Develop and deliver ongoing training to ensure accurate, consistent, and high-quality service delivery.
• Work alongside the Administrative Manager to coordinate complex scheduling, meetings, and shared space usage across multiple departments within the Center. This includes coordinating calendars and various logistics including catering, locations, web connections, and preparation of meeting materials.
• Serve as the primary contact for office systems, including telephone coordination and directory updates.
• Contribute to special projects as assigned and serve on committees as appropriate.
• Manage general office supply purchases and general office needs to support ongoing operations.
• Maintain a detailed inventory of all capital, minor and sensitive equipment in compliance with university and state policies and regulations.
• Manage accounts receivable, including receiving money for events and services rendered.
• Independently manage procurement of office-related items such as supplies, equipment, copier function, and beverage service using university systems (e.g. ChromeRiver and SmartBuyMSU).
• Maintain a detailed inventory of all minor and sensitive equipment.
• Initiate and manage office-related projects such as facilities, remodels and repairs, ensuring timelines and budgets are met.
• Coordinate hiring, onboarding, and offboarding processes for staff and student employees.
• Manage bi-weekly payroll facilitation for student employees serving the front desk, as well as approval of student employee time via Time Off process.
• Create and process various types of appointments for Access and Success staff and student associates.
• Career with Access and Success staff and student associates. Coordinate submission of EPAFs, new employee forms, work study certificates, I9s and departmental on-boarding and off-boarding processes.
• Support job searches, including communication with candidates and coordinating selection and hiring logistics. Initiate and coordinate onboarding of newly hired employees (security, system accounts, space, PC set-up, etc.).
• Cover logistics for Access and Success events, including space reservations, catering, technology, materials, and other details related to event planning.
• Aid in planning and execution of high-profile and multi-department events both on and off campus.
• Afford special projects and cross-functional initiatives that support Access and Success programs.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of relevant education and high-level administrative or office management experience.
• Demonstrated experience with progressive responsibility in administrative operations, business management, or office coordination.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and professionally to diverse audiences (e.g., students, parents, employers, faculty, and staff) across multiple formats.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple competing tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment while maintaining a positive, effective, and professional attitude.
• Experience supervising staff or student employees.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of MSU procedures and policies or previous experience working in a higher education setting.
• Demonstrated experience with budget management, procurement, or financial tracking.
• Knowledge of university systems and platforms (e.g. Chrome River, Smart Buy, Banner, etc.).

The Successful Candidate Will

• Have a strong desire to help students create their MSU experience with intentionality.
• Possess sound decision-making skills.
• Have the ability to represent the office in a professional manner.
• Possess an enthusiastic approach and a high level of integrity.
• Be experienced managing and maintaining confidential information.
• Possess a willingness and desire to engage in learning themselves.
• Possess the ability to troubleshoot problems and have candid conversations.
• Have the ability to relate to, mentor, inspire and develop rapport with a diverse student body.
• Possess excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Possess a proven ability to take initiative, work independently and in a team environment.
• Possess effective interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate successfully with mentors and staff.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

Maintain a flexible schedule to host events and interact with students during evening and occasional weekend hours, with advanced notice.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.