PAY GRADE: 33E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The Graduate College supports graduate and professional students and programs across the University of Delaware. In addition to students in master’s and doctoral degree programs, the College supports postdoctoral trainees. The College provides direct support to students through grants and fellowships, funding for graduate student organizations, professional development programming and career services, and advising. The College supports graduate programs through recruiting activities, marketing and market research, and a central admissions office. In addition, the College works with faculty to improve existing programs, and to develop new and innovative graduate programs.

Under limited direction of the Dean, the Associate Business Officer serves as an integral member of the senior leadership team of the College and provides leadership and oversight of the fiscal affairs, human resources, and administrative activities of the various academic and operational components of the College. The position provides accurate and consistent reports for the Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate College (hereafter, the Dean) and other internal and external constituents, as well as supporting the business services throughout the College. The Associate Business Officer ensures compliance with University policies and procedures. The Associate Business Officer acts as liaison with other University departments on behalf of the College and/or Dean and participates with the Dean and internal management in strategic and operational planning and decision making as a member of the central leadership team. This position will supervise and develop administrative staff to promote a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advise the Dean and Associate Dean on all matters related to the fiscal, strategic, and administrative functions of the College.
• Make recommendations regarding new policies, ensuring that administrative and human resources practices comply with University regulations, policies, and appropriate regulations.
• Provide strategic consultation to the Dean on financial issues, including financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue and expense analysis.
• Assist with the development of administrative processes and best practices for all new programs and initiatives, including the interdisciplinary programs, housed in the Graduate College.
• Create faculty appointment letters, process funding, and work directly with Program Directors on annual budgets and expense management.
• Participate in both strategic and operational planning and decision-making for programs, services, and functions in the College.
• Assist with the development of short and long-term goals related to the college and University strategic plans. Implements new processes and approaches to achieve specified goals.
• Prepare and present materials to summarize and justify unit/program budget requests, including data gathering/reporting and trend analyses in connection with budgetary formulation and administration. Prepares and presents business cases and budget proposals for specific projects or ongoing operational needs to the Dean.
• Work with College units and University offices to facilitate the financial processing of contracts and grants and develop reports of College awards.
• Collaborate with HR partners on management of human resources related activities for the college and ensure adherence to relevant policies related to faculty and staff.
• Determine appropriate funding strategy for technology initiatives necessary to meet the needs of the Graduate College.
• Through close collaboration with central and college IT, ensure development and implementation of current technology with an emphasis on operational excellence.
• Liaise with appropriate internal and external offices such as Student Financial Services and Student Health Insurance to ensure business-related policies and practices are compliant with UD standards and goals.
• Directly and administratively supervises assigned staff, which includes IT personnel, a data analyst and a business administrator.
• Direct and coordinate administrative functions and enforce University policy for the College in coordination with associated university departments.
• Review and collaborate with the Office for International Students and Scholars on Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) requests to ensure compliance with University and federal regulations while supporting graduate student success.
• Lead the hiring process for full-time and part-time staff and faculty, enforcing UD policies and procedures for the college; may participate in searches; direct completion of forms and contract requests; coordinate the processing of adjunct/administrative faculty appointments and/or graduate student contracts.
• Develop and manage hiring process, including talent acquisition, retention and reclassifications. Review/write position descriptions. Analyze and provide recommendations for workforce expansion, job creation and salary determinations.
• Provide direction, oversight, and recommendations for performance management. Manage conflict resolution, warning and termination meetings in collaboration with HR Partner. 
• Serve as primary point of contact with central HR and Employee Relations.
• Provide support for creating an effective and collaborative work culture through structured activities and team building events.
• Advise on matters related to funding for graduate student organizations and provide direct support to students to process expenses.
• Identify and resolve issues regarding administrative and fiscal matters; develop systems to monitor academic and administrative deadlines; regularly evaluate College administrative systems and services.
• Serve on College or University committees.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting/finance, public administration, or related field, and seven years of progressively responsible administrative experience, preferably in higher education, including direct managerial, supervisory, and leadership sagacity, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree preferred.
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
• Knowledge of university accounting procedures involving procurement, travel, and/or employment.
• Knowledge of computerized information systems used in financial and/or accounting applications.
• Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects.
• Knowledge of College and University human resources systems, practices, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments, and building staff and organization capacity.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret financial data and prepare statistical and financial reports, statements and/or projections.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to interpret, adapt, and apply guidelines and procedures.