SARE Business Manager

Business Manager

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) invites applications for a 12-month, renewable, full-time Business Manager, to work with its National Reporting, Coordinating, and Communications Office (NRCCO) located in College Park, Md. SARE is a program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that offers farmer-driven, grassroots grants and education programs. SARE's NRCCO operates under cooperative agreements from the USDA through the University of Maryland (UMD) in its College of Agriculture and Natural Resources' Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station.

The NRCCO is primarily responsible for creating nationally focused print and digital technical guides and educational resources for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural service providers, and managing the distribution and sale of these materials. Additionally, the NRCCO supports SARE's regional grant and outreach programs by directing national program efforts and providing opportunities for cross-regional information sharing. This support includes maintaining a digital grant management system, developing the SARE websites, providing communication resources, and coordinating national SARE workshops and outreach initiatives.

The Business Manager will directly support the SARE Associate Director in overseeing the administrative responsibilities associated with the functions of the NRCCO. Typically, this includes managing five 5-year cooperative agreements (approx. $1.5M to $2.0M each), about 50 supplier/subaward/employee/service contracts, material distribution, 2 to 3 national in-person workshops, and assisting with 2 to 3 virtual meetings, annually. Occasionally, the NRCCO also manages special projects and national SARE initiatives.

The Business Manager will also ensure that NRCCO activities and resources comply with USDA NIFA and university procedures through engagement with the UMD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This position provides ample opportunities to engage with UMD and NRCCO colleagues and other national partners, who enthusiastically support sustainable agriculture, farms, and ranches. This role requires annual out-of-state travel.

Overall, the Business Manager will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness for which the NRCCO manages its administrative activities in support of its program efforts. This position reports to the SARE Associate Director at UMD and requires collaboration and frequent communication with NRCCO and UMD colleagues and SARE national partners.

• Experience with university education and outreach programs.
• Familiarity with UMD administrative offices, procedures and data systems.
• Familiarity or experience working with USDA grants and contracts.
• Experience making travel plans within the U.S.

• Administrative expertise:
  Broad administrative skill set, including experience with database management systems to maintain records and generate reports.
• Strong organizational and time management skills:
  Demonstrated ability to independently organize and prioritize tasks and handle complex administrative and clerical duties efficiently and in a timely manner. Excellent attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and a positive attitude.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills:
  Proven ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including composing and editing correspondence or reports. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate sensitive issues with discretion and professionalism.
• Technical proficiency:
  Intermediate proficiency in various computer software packages, and experience working in shared cloud-based work spaces, digital meeting platforms, and various database systems.
• Strong work ethic:
  Demonstrated ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, with a commitment to meeting deadlines, achieving high-quality results, and a desire to learn new things.
• Customer service orientation:
  Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, partners and stakeholders, providing excellent customer service. Ability to work effectively in a semi-remote, collaborative team-based environment.

Contract & Budget Management

• Serves as the main point of support for SARE business operations at UMD to the NRCCO's Associate Director by managing multiple program budgets (annual, 5-year USDA NIFA cooperative agreements), accounts, contracts, expenditures, and reconciliations.
• Administers purchase orders, subawards, and contracts in accordance with UMD policies and USDA requirements for records, reports, and conditions for expenditure of funds - including communicating with contracted suppliers as needed.
• Assists with the print production process and managing SARE publication fulfillment services including communicating with vendors of print projects, monitoring…