Business Manager

Business Operations Specialist – Political Science Department

Job Title
:
Business Operations Specialist (Business Manager)
Campus
:
Columbia
Work Schedule
:
Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5:0 p.m. (one‑hour lunch); flexible schedule may be required
Hours per Week
: 37.5
Job Level
: P3 – Professional
Department
: CAS Political Science – College of Arts and Sciences
Job Open/Close Dates
: 02/25/2026 – 03/11/2026
Salary Range
: $57,779 – $72,224 – $86,669

• Provide administrative, office management, budgetary, and programmatic support for the department.
• Process business/financial transactions from USC Funds (restricted and unrestricted) and Educational Foundation Funds.
• Handle payment requests, travel and non‑travel reimbursement requests, travel authorizations, expense reports, commitment reimbursements, payroll monitoring, and account changes.
• Coordinate with the Dean’s Office grants team, USC Foundations & Sponsored Awards Management Office to manage grant budgets and grant‑related purchasing; prepare journal entries and expense module corrections.
• Submit purchase requisitions, issue purchase orders, act as supplier liaison, and prepare check requests for the Education Foundation and departmental monies.
• Act as unit‑level liaison to McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, learning university‑level and college‑level financial and budget policies.
• Check payroll expenditures and perform annual year‑end budget review and reconciliations.
• Serve as P‑card liaison; prepare and approve monthly reconciliations for department p‑cards, travel cards, program cards.
• Manage the annual departmental budget; plan and update allocation of annual operating budgets; provide monthly budget reports; monitor expenditures and ensure proper billing; provide revenue updates.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the department and college.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus at least 3 years of job‑related experience (or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience).
• Understanding of basic accounting and financial management principles.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Analytical skills to identify opportunities for cost reduction and appropriate use of funds.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain working relationships.
• Knowledge of basic computer software, including Microsoft Office, Adobe, and other web‑based applications.
• Familiarity with University systems, policies, and programs is preferred.
• Ability to conduct business lawfully and ethically by consistently adhering to compliance policies, procedures, and regulations.

All duties above, plus acting as chief procurement contact and supplier liaison.

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave, Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.