*Internal Only* Academic Affairs Business Manager (COMM + SSWA) 00726

About the role

The Multi-Department Business Manager provides high-level, comprehensive administrative, fiscal, and logistical support to multiple Departments and Academic Centers or Institutes. Acting as a central operational anchor, the coordinator ensures compliance with university policies, manages complex departmental workflows, and assists chairs in executing administrative directives from the Dean’s office. This role demands exceptional organizational skills, discretion, and the ability to balance competing priorities across distinct academic disciplines. This position also requires technical proficiency that is adaptable to new systems and programs. The Business Manager works closely with department chairs but reports directly to the academic deans with a dotted line to the Assistant Provost for Administration and Finance. Business Managers are expected to also serve as support back-up to other Business Managers as needed.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate departmental workflows, ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Support multiple stakeholders simultaneously, managing boundaries and shifting deadlines with professionalism.
• Assist department chairs in executing administrative directives from the Dean’s office.
• Work closely with department chairs but report directly to the academic deans with a dotted line to the Assistant Provost for Administration and Finance.
• Serve as support back-up to other Business Managers as needed.

Requirements

• Experience using databases.
• Experience using enterprise financial systems.
• Experience in financial transactions.
• Experience in budget management.
• Experience using word processing software.
• Experience using spreadsheet software.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Experience in financial, administrative, or operational support.
• Experience working in a higher education environment or in a complex multi-stakeholder environment.
• Experience using the state procurement system (eVA).
• Experience using the Christopher Newport University travel expense management system (Emburse).
• Experience managing faculty research grants.
• Experience developing spreadsheets with complex formulas for financial analysis.
• Experience with marketing product creation and social media content creation and management.

Skills

• Technical Skills: Proficiency with institutional database systems (ERP/SIS), scheduling software, budget tracking tools, and standard office productivity suites (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace).
• Task Prioritization: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to edit departmental publications and interface with the Dean’s office and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Policy Compliance: A detail-oriented mindset with the ability to learn, interpret, and align daily operations with complex guidelines like the University Handbook and SACSCOC standards. Knowledge of and ability to maintain compliance with state procurement policies. Knowledge of and ability to maintain compliance with travel policies and procedures.

Benefits

This position includes Commonwealth of Virginia and Christopher Newport University employee benefits. CNU offers a comprehensive benefits package to include retirement plans, medical, dental, vision, and a variety of other options. Available leave includes vacation, sick time, personal time, and volunteer/service leave. State employees are eligible for discounted travel, banking, legal and retail services, among others. To view more information about our benefits, please visit https://cnu.edu/hr/benefits/.

Pay

Salary starting at $45,689 to $57,112, commensurate with education and experience.

Schedule

Full-time position.

Conditions of Employment

• New and returning classified employees are required to complete a 12-month probationary period.
• Selected candidate must attend a 2-day New Employee Orientation Program.
• This position is an internal posting, open to current CNU employees only.
• This position is eligible for periodic telework as determined by the department.