Senior Business Manager

Functional Title Senior Manager, Finance and Business Operations

Department

Department Honors College Dept

Salary Range

Pay Basis

Pay Basis Monthly

Position Status

Position Status Regular full-time

Location

Position End Date (if temporary)

Posting Open Date

Posting Open Date 08/13/2026

Posting Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Desired Start Date

Desired Start Date 09/14/2026

The Senior Business Manager serves as the principal business and financial leader for the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College ( HWHC ) and key affiliated programs, including Debate, Chess, and the Archer Center. Reporting directly to the Dean and partnering closely with the Assistant Dean, this highly visible position provides the opportunity to shape the financial strategy, operational effectiveness, and long-term success of a dynamic academic environment.

The position provides independent, professional-level leadership across a broad portfolio of responsibilities, including budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis and reporting, accounting close and reconciliation, internal controls, revenue and accounts receivable management, scholarship and stipend administration, purchasing, payroll, human resources coordination, and long-range operational planning.

The Senior Business Manager serves as a trusted advisor to college leadership, providing strategic financial insight, identifying and mitigating financial risk, developing policies and decision-support models, and supporting informed decision‑making across multiple departments and programs. The position also supervises administrative staff and leads initiatives that strengthen financial stewardship, enhance operational efficiency, support compliance, and advance the College’s strategic goals.

Bachelor’s degree and seven years of related accounting and office management experience. 3 years supervisory experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field with an accounting or finance emphasis.
• Certified Public Accountant ( CPA ) or Certified Management Accountant ( CMA ) credential.

• Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible accounting, finance, or financial management experience, including responsibility for complex, multi‑department budgets and financial operations.
• Three (3) or more years of supervisory, managerial, or functional leadership experience.
• Experience with complex budget development and administration, financial forecasting, financial reporting, variance analysis, month-end and year-end close processes, account reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Experience in public higher education, fund accounting, scholarship or student‑award administration, research or stipend programs, tuition and fee billing, accounts receivable, purchasing, payroll, and/or human resources administration.
• Experience advising leaders on financial and operational matters and resolving complex financial, accounting, or compliance issues.
• Experience using People Soft or a comparable enterprise financial and human resources system, including development and maintenance of financial reports and models.
• Experience developing and implementing financial policies, audit support processes, compliance practices, and internal control frameworks across multiple departments or programs.

• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles, budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, revenue management, accounts receivable management, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Knowledge of fund accounting and the ability to interpret and apply institutional policies, fund restrictions, purchasing requirements, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills, including the ability to identify root causes, assess risk, and translate complex financial data into actionable recommendations.
• Advanced proficiency with spreadsheets, enterprise financial systems, reporting tools, and business intelligence or data visualization software.
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