Business Operations Professional III

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

The UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government - Who We Are
As a Public Service and Outreach unit at the University of Georgia, the UGA Institute of Government contributes directly to the university's overarching public service mission of improving people's lives by helping to create jobs and prosperity, developing leaders, and addressing critical issues. This public service mission, and the Institute of Government's role in its success, is at the heart of UGA's land-grant and sea-grant mission to serve the State of Georgia and its residents.

We have a team of experts who inform, inspire, and innovate every day so that governments, large and small, can be more efficient and responsive to their citizens, address current and emerging challenges, and serve the public with excellence. We are uniquely positioned to provide impartial support to local governments and state agencies and convene multidisciplinary and intragovernmental groups to plan for and address many of the challenges faced by communities across Georgia.

Our areas of expertise and focus include workforce and economic development; infrastructure and community resilience; government operations and organizational effectiveness; measuring and reporting on impact and outcomes; building skills, knowledge and capacity of government leaders and teams; and maximizing technology and data for governments and their leaders.

Whether it is through our award-winning PROPEL (Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership) program for rural communities, our CyberArch student program that helps Georgia communities increase their cybersecurity, our efforts to build a visionary plan for military and community partnerships to spur economic prosperity and resilient infrastructure, our financial management certificate program to build the capacity of public officials, or hosting educational events about e-mobility strategies for local governments .... We Know Georgia. Fulfilling our land-grant and sea-grant mission to serve the State of Georgia is more than a project. It's our purpose.

We are growing and excited to add individuals to our team who share our commitment to public service - building stronger communities, inspiring economic resilience, and improving quality of life for communities across Georgia and beyond.

Our Culture - How We Operate
We disseminate knowledge through research, scholarship, and instruction. We collaborate internally across our areas of expertise and across the university with academic researchers to bring best practices and expert insights to the governments and communities we serve. We are committed to fielding a team of experts who have a variety of professional and academic experiences and are grounded in our culture of excellence and approach our work with Georgia's governments in a comprehensive and objective fashion.

Normal business hours are M-F, 8-5. Occasional after hours may be needed to meet deadlines.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu).

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience

This Business Operations Professional serves as a strategic business partner to the Institute, providing comprehensive financial management of organizational accounts through a deep understanding of the Institute's mission, operations, and the specific business needs of our divisions. This role applies advanced knowledge of financial accounting and public budgeting within the context of higher education and public service to support sound decision-making and operational effectiveness.

Acting as an internal consultant on fiscal affairs, financial management, and budget strategy, this position advises faculty, staff, and leadership on budgeting, budget management, and financial planning. Responsibilities include monitoring personal services and operating expenditures in relation to budgets and actuals, as well as overseeing sub-awards, contracts, and other outsourced services.

Using advanced financial expertise, the Business Operations Professional ensures all transactions comply with Institute of Government guidelines, University of Georgia policies, and Board of Regents policies. The role leads the development and production of complex financial reports and maintains accurate financial data and records within internal financial management systems (currently QuickBooks and related document management systems) to support transparency and informed decision-making.

The Business Operations Professional ensures proper administration of all related agreements, including compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Regular financial analysis and reporting are conducted using internal systems, and accounts are routinely reconciled against university records to ensure accuracy and integrity.

Supporting business operations across multiple divisions, this position ensures financial coverage aligns with organizational priorities. The Business Operations Professional provides professional oversight of fiscal affairs, reinforces best practices in financial management, and serves as a trusted advisor and resource to faculty, staff, and Institute of Government leadership regarding financial operations and account management.

This position provides supervision of staff, including training, mentoring, and evaluating team members, as well as assigning and prioritizing work to ensure efficient operations and alignment with organizational goals, administrative requirements, and financial management standards.

Strong working knowledge of PeopleSoft, QuickBooks, Excel, Word.
Ability to work well with others.
Ability to work without supervision on projects.
Ability to interpret UGA financial reports.
Provide and grasp the value of quality customer service.

Lift up to 20 pounds.
Work on a computer for long periods of time.
Maneuver between four buildings located on site.

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Awards Management: The Business Operations Professional provides professional management for sponsored projects and departmental sales projects. This may include some or all aspects of awards management, i.e., pre-award, award and post-award. At all times the Business Operations Professional serves as the primary point of contact for public service faculty in matters related to awards management to include, but not limited to:
* Management and review of necessary proposals, budgets, agreements, contracts, subcontracts, sales orders, invoices, or grants with internal and external constituencies.
* Analysis and preparation of regular reporting and other data resources to assist public service faculty, as well as other internal and external constituencies, in ensuring adherence to their respective scopes of work and related budgets, and when necessary, assisting with amendments, changes or corrective actions required.
* Analysis and preparation of ad hoc reporting for the Institute of Government, University, sponsors or other entities as required.
* Other related duties as assigned.

Fiscal Affairs: The Business Operations Professional provides coordination and management of Institute of Government fiscal operations and oversees assigned accounts ensuring compliance with internal, University, and Board of Regents policies and procedures. This includes, but is not limited to posting, reconciliation and reporting responsibilities and tasks including:
* Management, reconciliation and reporting of fiscal transactions utilizing QuickBooks and other University Systems as an internal fiscal control as may be required and appropriate for assigned accounts within the policies and procedures.
* Preparation, submission and management of financial transactions to include journal vouchers, employee payroll, budget journals and other transactions as maybe required and appropriate for assigned accounts within the policies and procedures.
* Management of accounts receivable to include invoicing, receivables tracking, aging report management, and collections as necessary.
* Other related duties as assigned.

Client Relations
The Business Operations Professional develops and maintains positive working relationships with both internal and external clients through demonstrated competency, personal integrity, and exemplary professionalism in all interactions. Through regular communication and engagement, the Business Operations Professional cultivates strong, collaborative partnerships that support organizational effectiveness.

Serving as a strategic business partner to internal stakeholders, the Business Operations Professional develops a thorough understanding of the Institute's business operations and the unique needs of our divisions. In this capacity, the role functions as an internal consultant on fiscal affairs, financial management, and budget strategy-providing guidance, insight, and support to faculty, staff, and leadership to enhance financial decision-making and operational outcomes.

Supervision
The Business Operations Professional provides supervision of staff, including training, mentoring, and evaluating team members, as well as assigning and prioritizing work to ensure efficient operations and alignment with organizational goals, administrative requirements, and financial management standards.

Professional Development and Education
The Business Operations Professional must possess core competencies in higher education fiscal affairs and seek continuous training and professional development to enhance knowledge, skills and abilities. The position strives always for greater efficiency and effectiveness in meeting the needs of the Institute of Government for sound fiscal affairs.

Cross-Training and Work Team Support
The business manager engages in continuous cross-training with other business operations professionals and staff in the Office of Finance and Administration to ensure the highest levels of professional service in matters related to the fiscal affairs of the Institute of Government.