PAY GRADE: 31E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The Core Facility Finance & Operations unit is a centralized team dedicated to supporting all core facilities reporting to the Research Office. The core facilities support research and teaching for multiple departments and colleges at the University of Delaware as well as users from external universities and corporations. These highly specialized facilities provide shared user access to cutting-edge capabilities that enable competitive research that would otherwise be too costly for individual researchers to support.

Under the direction of the Manager, Core Facility Finance & Operations, the Business Administrator is responsible for administrative support, grant management, and human resources. In addition, the team is charged with ensuring compliance with federal service center and UD policies, with financial oversight governed by 2CFR200, Uniform Guidance. The specialized knowledge of the Core Facility Finance & Operations unit ensures streamline data gathering, support of multiple billing platforms, collaboration with core directors, and other university departments for consistency and compliance in rate setting, overall operations, and budget management.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Acts as primary liaison for matters related to human resources, information technology issues, University Procurement, and sponsored funding.
• Prepares Human Resources paperwork for unit and all supported cores (including position postings, paperwork for new hires, JEDs, s-contracts, LAM updates, graduate student non-contract payment forms, professional contractual agreements and offer letters).
• Serves as departmental HR representative providing new staff with orientation information and access to university e-mail and web forms.
• Posts positions for interns and miscellaneous wage personnel using Handshake Platform.
• Assists core directors in the search for new grant and contract opportunities, determining if the source is financially sound.
• Facilitates and manages grant administration from proposal to closeout.
• Collaborates with, and provides direction to, the unit’s administrative staff, core directors, and others in the areas of contracts and grants administration, financial policy, and procedures.
• Facilitate the process to solicit, select, and onboard new core facilities into the centralized structure at the Research Office.
• Ensure compliance with federal service center and UD policies, with financial oversight governed by 2CFR200, Uniform Guidance.
• Organizes, evaluates, and implements procedures that foster cost-effective administrative operations.
• Serves as Cost Object Approver (COA) and Department Procurement Specialist (DPS).
• Responsible for Labor Allocation Module (LAM) position administration for the unit and supported core facilities.
• Produces a wide range of reports for analysis, including budget, usage, and revenue.
• Utilizes iLab, FOM, UdataGlance and other university resources to extract data and prepare customized reports.
• Makes recommendations to resolve complex administrative/procedural problems.
• Works closely with the Manager to complete budget turnaround data each year.
• Performs job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or business-related discipline and four years’ experience in administrative/supervisory capacity, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with human resources, budgeting, financial analysis/forecasting, and customer service.
• Familiarity with UD accounting system, PeopleSoft financials, and UD policies and procedures is preferred.
• Working knowledge and understanding of federal and state regulatory policies, procedures, and guidelines, including Uniform Guidance, strongly preferred.
• High level of independent and sound judgment, critical thinking, initiative, and accountability; strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to build strong and cohesive working relationships among diverse groups within the department, the greater university, and external partners.
• Ability to compile, analyze, and interpret complex data.
• Ability to use advanced techniques in spreadsheet, database, and/or presentation software.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments concurrently and re-prioritize; ability to successfully adapt to rapid change.
• Ability to plan, organize, implement, evaluate, and modify administrative support needs.
• Demonstrated understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.