Business Manager: Department of Microbiology

This position is responsible for the overall direction, administration and management of the accounting operations in the Microbiology Department. This position serves as the primary point of contact for all Microbiology financial actions and they have oversight of all financial actions. The business manager is responsible for approvals of financial and human resource-related expenditures, as well as departmental purchasing and contracts. The business manager monitors and tracks salary and benefit costs, reviews departmental reports, including reports on endowed and discretionary accounts, ensuring accuracy and timely reporting. This position forecasts department budgets and expenditures; monitors accounts for appropriate and allowable charges based on account guidelines. The business manager provides guidance in budgetary action plans and manages fiscal year-end, and sponsored projects close-out processes, reporting and reconciliation.

The business manager consults with faculty regarding activities in sponsored projects administration and consults with Financial Support Services accountants to ensure departmental compliance with federal and University regulations. The business manager is responsible for the supervision of departmental administrative/financial staff, including the completion of performance reviews and implementation of needed disciplinary actions.

Financial/Budget:

• Responsible for management of all accounts associated with the Microbiology department and for oversight of all financial actions, including approval of financial and human resources transactions.
• Provides budget information to the department head to inform decisions regarding the allocation of departmental resources; provides projections to PIs to support sponsored project management.
• Works with UT Foundation on gift and endowed accounts to ensure compliance with donors' guidelines and that funds are expended as expected.
• Assigns appropriate activity codes to track expenditures on invoices and procurement card transactions and assigns correct activity codes to track and manage commitments from other units.
• Audits payroll and expenditures to ensure correct posting of charges and requests adjustments as needed.
• Prepares department annual salary budget, payroll reconciliation reports, start-up fund requests, and department recovery requests; manages salary release funds and F&A returns; manages departmental course fees, ensuring that fees are allocated to the appropriate courses.
• Analyzes pre-award sponsored project documents for cost-sharing commitments and budget allocations, monitors post-award financial accounts for appropriate and allowable charges in conjunction with Financial Support Services accountants; works with ORIED contracts staff on grant relinquishment.
• Manages and coordinates funding allocations for graduate student positions and allocates appropriate funds for fellowship positions; manages fee waiver allocations. Allocates department funds for graduate student travel.
• Makes department-specific vendor requests and special payments.
• Ensures compliance with University policies, as well as compliance with sponsored project requirements; establishes departmental policies to ensure compliance with the University, sponsor, and federal fiscal and human resources requirements.

Human Resources:

• Supervises departmental staff, with authorization in hiring, performance reviews and disciplinary actions.
• Oversees work allocation and provides training and counsel to improve efficiency.
• Participates in short- and long-range planning for workforce development.
• Oversees and responds to employee and management inquiries regarding HR policies, benefits and funding.
• Coordinates employee training and professional development activities.
• Reviews and approves personnel transactions such as salary adjustments, position changes and terminations.

Required Qualifications

• Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of experience in financial management; or Associate's degree plus 7 years of experience in financial management; or 11 years of experience in financial management.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of basic accounting principles

• Financial, accounting and budgetary skills
• Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel)
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving ability
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task and work under pressure with deadlines
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to supervise and lead others
• Ability to interpret data and present results

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience : Three to five years of higher education experience, preferably in an academic department.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of UT fiscal and human resource policies and procedures

• Knowledge of sponsored project policies and procedures/research administration
• Knowledge of DASH/Oracle Cloud

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR11
• Anticipated hiring range: $66,250 - $77,000, depending on experience and qualifications

Application Instructions

For full consideration, please apply with all of the noted below attachments. For best consideration, please submit your application by December 1, 2025.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Name and contact information for 3 Professional References

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

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