Business Operations Manager at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey

Job Description:

Business Operations Manager

US-NJ-Princeton

Job ID: 2024-20071
Type: Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Academic Administration

Overview

The Business Operations Manager is a key part of the Keller Center leadership team working closely with the Executive Director and their Center leadership peers in designing and executing an integrated approach to policy and strategic direction for the Center which includes participating in and contributing to short and long-term planning sessions and helping the Executive Director structure and execute weekly operating meetings. The Business Operations Manager reports directly to the Executive Director, with a secondary reporting relationship to the Director of Academic Administration in the Office of Human Resources.

The Business Operations Manager will be a key thought partner to the Executive Director in problem solving operational issues and developing new processes across the department to enhance department level efficiency and effectiveness. The Business Operations Manager is responsible for finance, technology, website, CRM, operations, human resources and the Makerspace. The Business Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring faculty, students, and staff have the operational and technical means to carry out their curricular, co-curricular and administrative duties. The Manager has strong financial skills and oversees all department financial activities. The Manager has outstanding interpersonal skills and builds strong trust-based relationships with peers.

The Manager will have two direct reports, The Technology Manager and the Makerspace Education & Design Lab Manager. The Manager will be a strong leader who clearly delineates expectations of direct reports in alignment with the needs of the department and develops employees while maintaining a high performing, collaborative work environment.

The Keller Center has on average 25 affiliated faculty, half of which are tenure track and the other are practitioner faculty; 1-2 visiting faculty, and 16 administrative staff. The Keller Center reaches about a quarter of the undergraduate student body with its courses every single year through its 25+ courses and 2 certificate programs. The Center reaches hundreds more with its flagship and signature co-curricular programs including the eLab, Tiger Challenge, PSIP, student project funding, and via its makerspace. Additionally, the Center offers robust programming for faculty with the Innovation Forum, the Program in Institutional and Historical Racism in Engineering, Technology and Innovation, as well as the Design for Innovation Program. The Keller Center is geographically dispersed in three locations with a) faculty and staff offices in the EQuad, b) offices, creative classrooms and a makerspace in the HWing of the Equad and c) offices and co-curricular programming space in the 15,000 square foot entrepreneurial hub at 34 Chambers which the Keller Center manages.

Responsibilities

Finance Functions:

Oversee financial planning and budgeting processes for the department. Prepare annual budget in collaboration with leadership and all key stakeholders across the department. Prepare monthly report to track actual spending versus budgeted spending and recommend measures to course correct. Develop long term funding and programmatic expense picture to identify potential shortfalls in funding in future years. As required develop pro forma analyses of new programs and activities under consideration to estimate future cost and required donor funding.

Manage overall fund balances for each programmatic area. Ensure allocations are distributed to each area early in the year so that programmatic fund balances can be managed against actuals throughout the year.

Oversee purchasing process. Set appropriate approval levels for each employee. Approve any purchases above individual approval levels. Make purchase decisions as required. Reconcile purchases for the department

Oversee concur / credit card billing approvals and reconciliations.

Operational Functions:

Oversee the technology area ensuring that all key stakeholders (students, staff, faculty) have the technology enabled resources and services they need to effectively fulfill their roles. Oversee the department’s website technology and other technical assets. Oversee all activities related to the department’s customer relationship management (CRM) infrastructure and associated databases.

Oversee the Makerspace ensuring the necessary infrastructure, equipment, supplies and personnel are in place to enable the student user experience and support the Makerspace Education & Design Lab Manager in helping them achieve their objectives.

Take a lead in assessing department wide processes and recommend and implement solutions that will enhance effectiveness and efficiency of the Center.

Oversee other administrative functions as required.

Personnel Management:

Manage two direct reports. Set role expectations, provide weekly guidance, offer ongoing feedback and coaching and conduct annual performance reviews. Ensure direct reports have the resources they need in place to accomplish their objectives.

Support the Executive Director with hiring, performance improvement, reclassifications, staff development, award nominations and terminations of Keller's administrative staff. Supervise the professional development and professional needs of staff.

Center Leadership:

Be a thought partner to the Executive Director in addressing department level issues and opportunities. Partner with Executive Director and other center leaders in supporting the department’s annual and long-term strategic planning processes. Systematically assess, develop, enhance and implement the necessary business practices, processes, systems, protocols, and standards to support staff, student, faculty and program alignment goals of the Center.

Be a key decision maker on certain operational topics allowing the Executive Director to have more time to concentrate on executing the department’s strategic priorities. Collaborate with the Executive Director in setting agendas for department wide meetings and oversee follow-up of resulting key action items.

Facilities Management:

Oversee the facilities needs of the Center, including space allocations, and needed maintenance and renovations across the three geographic locations of the Center.

Policy and Compliance:

The Business Operations Manager is responsible for understanding and communicating all university policies to faculty, staff, researchers and students, and attends appropriate meetings/ trainings. The Business Operations Manager takes the lead on implementation of policies and regulatory compliance within the department.

Qualifications

Essential requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 7 years of experience.

Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, decision-making, and communications skills. Ability to be a strong thought partner to the Executive Director. Ability to effectively manage the resources of the department; robust experience with oversight of financial operations. Experience in the supervision and monitoring of staff, staff development, and delegation of supervisory responsibility. Exposure to managing technology related activities would be a plus. Sensitive to the needs and concerns of faculty, staff, students, and other members of the University community. Superior organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities. Ability to anticipate and initiative appropriate action in support of the Center's strategic vision. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate in a manner that is professional, objective, and easily understood.

Preferred requirements

-Advanced degree preferred.

-Proficiency in University administrative applications and enterprise systems.

-Experience in higher education administration or non-profit background.

-Experience is space management and laboratory/office renovations.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

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