Communications & Development Business Manager

Job Type

Regular

RAND has an exciting opportunity for a Business Manager to join the Communications & External Affairs (CEA) and Development (DEV) teams. This role is organized within CEA and supports the day-to-day business and financial administrative needs of two separate groups: CEA and DEV. This role offers a chance to apply advanced financial and operational expertise to support RAND’s mission of improving policy and decision‑making through research and analysis.

The position reports directly to the Senior Manager, Operations in CEA, and will take daily direction from both that supervisor and the Executive Director, Development Operations. This position will be responsible for producing a wide variety of detailed financial budgets, reports and analyses for both groups across a number of multi‑million‑dollar budgets. This position also oversees CEA’s complex Communications Service Center and provides guidance and financial direction on new initiatives and issues within the Service Center.

The Business Manager provides key administrative and operational support to ensure compliance, effective communication, and smooth business processes. The Business Manager may serve as the primary point of contact for each group on financial matters, providing high‑level operational support and fostering collaboration across teams.

• Prepare annual overhead (OH) and RAND‑funded (RF) budgets, including leading quarterly meetings with senior managers to provide financial direction.
• Participate in midyear and annual business planning processes to ensure budgets align with both department and corporate strategic goals.
• Conduct ongoing financial analyses across budgets and projects to review actuals and identify trends and opportunities.
• Oversee Service Center budgets and actuals; set cost center rates and coordinate ongoing meetings with relevant managers and financial stakeholders to review FYTD reports.
• Manage and maintain budget charging infrastructure, including set‑up of new projects and tasks. Ensure hierarchies align with evolving activities and needs, with special attention to new initiatives.
• Distribute the annual timekeeping memo to staff in alignment with approved budgets and meet all Finance deadlines.
• Review and approve purchases across departments.
• Collaborate closely with leaders in each department to understand needs, gather input, and support initiatives with financial resources.
• Support and contribute to team training and internal process‑improvement efforts, including creating and maintaining robust documentation.

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in strategic initiatives, operations, communications, or project management.
• Foundational understanding of financial and operational policies and best practices, including FAR, GAP and DCAA guidelines.
• Expert‑level proficiency with Microsoft Excel. Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Teams, One Note and SharePoint.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast‑paced, matrixed environment.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, including experience working with complex financial datasets and drawing actionable insights.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders across different functions and levels of seniority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports for leadership.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.

• Familiarity with RAND or similar organizations, particularly those with complex business and funding models.
• Experience working in mission‑driven environments.

A Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and 9 years of relevant experience is preferred, however, a combination of education and relevant experience may be substituted for a BS/BA degree. Please note relevant experience or current professional certification may be considered in lieu of a degree from…