Business Coordinator - Hybrid

Business Coordinator - Hybrid

Job Summary:

The Business Coordinator has a dual role of working for the System Office of Capital, Utilities, and Real Estate and Prairieland Energy, Inc. (PEI), a university-related organization that procures natural gas and electricity for the University of Illinois System. This position reports to the Associate Director, Capital, Utilities, and Real Estate (also the PEI Controller) and is responsible for working with PEI Assistant Controllers to manage accounts receivable, accounts payable, commercial retail, disbursement approvals, and other business operations.

Maintaining adequate cash balances and ensuring timely vendor payments is critical to maintaining uninterrupted utility services to the university and commercial customers. The primary role of the Business Coordinator is to prepare and post financial transactions and compile necessary data to perform reconciliations.

• Manage all aspects of PEI's commercial customers operations including posting of utility rates, contract management, billing and receivables, working with Urbana-Champaign Facility and Services staff on the disconnection and establishing new meters, collection of delinquent accounts, bad debt write-off, and customer relationship management.
• Prepare and post transactions and invoices into Quick Books.
• Weekly process all PEI paid invoices by assigning wire and ACH numbers that correspond with Quick Books and file invoices in shared drive appropriate vendor file.
• Work with the Controller and Assistant Controller to review PEI disbursement transactions; verify the transactions are accurate for approval and confirm appropriate accounting treatment.
• Coordinate with the Universities' respective Utility Directors and financial managers to ensure the accuracy of utility invoices processed by PEI for the System's usage by using complex spreadsheets to verify quantity and pricing.
• Interface with PEI customers, vendors, and university staff to respond to inquiries and resolve problems.
• Assist PEI Controller in managing cash balances and monitoring payments from the University to ensure proper funding is available for PEI to pay utility invoices.
• Communicate with external market advisors regarding their reviews of the University's utility purchases and pricing, to ensure that vendor costs being charged to the System are accurate.
• Manage PEI's website content to maintain updated stakeholder information and PEI's Quick Books accounting software which is utilized to maintain the official financial records for PEI.
• Prepare and oversee monthly reconciliation of fuel procurement activity for all energy commodities.
• Serve as organization's backup Unit Security Contact (USC), ensuring requests for system and software access are appropriate.
• Performs other assigned duties appropriate for Business/Administrative Coordinator classification.

• 1. Bachelor's degree in business administration, management, or a field related to the position.
• 2. Two (2) years of professional business, financial, and/or managerial work experience. (
  
  NOTE:
  
  A Master's Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year (12 months) of work experience.)
• Based on position requirements, additional education, training, and/or work experience in an area of specialization inherent to the position may be required.

• 1. Prior accounting or business experience in an energy environment or with a utilities company is preferred.
• 2. Prior experience with Quick Books is preferred.

• 1. Experience with accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, and financial compliance.
• 2. Knowledge of spreadsheet applications, databases and other analytical processing tools and software.
• 3. Strong verbal and written communications skills to effectively present information and respond to colleagues.
• 4. Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• 5. Ability to multi-task and produce accurate, detail-oriented work to meet stringent deadlines.

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5010 - Business/Administrative Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible. The budgeted salary range for the position is $55,000 - $60,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. Sponsorship for Work authorization is not available for this position.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Applicants with…