Job Details

Business Manager- Baker School- UTK

Position Number: 6523626
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Business and Financial Management

Business Manager- Baker School- UTK
Knoxville, TN, United States

Job Identification: 4849
Job Category: Financial
Posting Date: 08/29/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 1640 Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, TN, 37996, US (Hybrid)

Job Description
The Howard H. Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, seeks applications and nominations for a full-time Business Manager. This position reports to the Budget Director and serves as an integral member of the Baker Schools' Budget Team. The position serves as an expert financial and administrative resource while providing professional guidance and management of all financial and administrative processes. Duties include financial modeling, forecasting, and developing and disseminating data to inform decision-making across the school. This position will monitor and ensure that departments and units comply with relevant University and department policies, procedures, and external regulations. This position will also be responsible for developing innovative solutions to enhance operational and technological efficiencies to provide "best practices." The position assists with fiscal operations, including, but not limited to, overseeing budgets, financial planning, and other financial and accounting tasks as assigned by the Budget Director. The position also assists with human resources activities, including faculty appointments, promotions, and tenure processes, as well as human capital budgeting and other assigned human resource operations. The position will be a direct supervisor and will work closely with the finance and human resource specialists of the school, providing guidance and backup for processes.

Responsibilities
Administrative Operations Oversight:

Develops, revises, and disseminates expectations, processes, and procedures and provides guidance as needed to current and new employees
Directs and/or advises administrative and financial staff, as well as the leadership team, on interpretation of policies and procedures on behalf of the Budget Director to ensure consistency and compliance
Develops and maintains "best practices" guides and procedures for the various areas of finance, human resources, travel, procurement, and grant and contract operations in coordination with the finance and human resources specialists and the sponsored programs/contracts manager
Maintains an extensive understanding of institutional and departmental policies related to the role
Partners with on-campus departments and off-campus entities to research, report, and resolve financial and HR issues
Assists with strategic planning for internal operations
Provide work direction, supervise and evaluate performance of the Financial and Human Resources Associate(s)
May supervise student workers as needed
Promotes and contributes to a successful collaborative environment by maintaining a positive office workspace
Set goals for administrative and office management, customer service excellence, and establishes metrics to achieve such goals

Financial Operations Oversight and Compliance:

Oversees the day-to-day management of budget and finance areas
Utilizes excellent professional judgment and integrity to evaluate the appropriateness of expenditures and possesses the maturity and confidence to address questionable transactions either directly or by escalating them, if needed
Maintain system perspective to ensure that all expenditures are evaluated to assess impact on departmental strategic and operational needs as well as financial goals and make recommendations to leadership
Direct and assist with office transactions, referring compliance and practice issues to the Budget Director or appropriate supervisor as needed
Exercises acute attention to detail to ensure expenditures are accurate prior to and all the way through approval process
Monitors budget-to-actuals, budget allocations, expenditures, fund balances, and related financial activities to ensure accuracy and compliance and assist with budget planning
Gather required documentation, submit contracts and respond to contract related inquiries utilizing Agiloft contract life-cycle management software
Administration of scholarship manager for Baker and IAC awards
Coordinates faculty hiring, appointment, promotion, and tenure processes
Serves as a backup for the Budget Director to review/approve financial and human resource transactions, payroll, p-card & travel card expense reports, invoices, contracts and monthly ledger reconciliation reports while referring compliance and practice-based issues back to the Budget Director or related department head
Proactively monitors and communicates with appropriate parties on the status of all items in workflow to ensure timely processing

Budget Development and Financial Reporting:

Collects and analyzes data necessary for annual and monthly financial reporting and budget creation
Assists with salary reconciliation and position budgeting
Develops and maintains reporting systems in accordance with needs and reporting requirements
Monitors revenue accounts; compares to projections and expenditures; work with leadership to adjust as necessary
Gathers and analyzes data, prepares and distributes monthly and annual reports for internal and external constituencies, performs data queries, and prepares ad hoc reports

Tracks Baker School chart of accounts (COAs) and restricted fund activity to ensure proper compliance and balance availability

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in related field and 2 or more years of experience working in a business office or business position with accounting, finance, payroll, or human resource activities.
In lieu of a bachelor's degree, 6 additional years of related experience will be considered.
Extensive experience with Microsoft Office Suite.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and manage complex projects in a fast-paced environment, maintaining attention to detail and accuracy
Excellent leadership, administrative, and problem-solving skills
Ability to research and analyze financial information and make appropriate recommendations and projections
Strong interpersonal, time management, communication, and organizational skills
Knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite
Proficient ability with spreadsheets, databases, and accounting software
Knowledge of fund accounting principles
Ability to work in a team environment and meet deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

Four years or more work experience at UTK or with another similar higher education environment, working in a business office or business position with accounting, finance, payroll, or human resource activities. Previous experience as a Business Manager or similar role at UTK. Knowledge of university fiscal and human resource policies.

Strong knowledge of Interfolio, Banner, DASH, Scholarship Manager, Agiloft, and CAYUSE

Knowledge of university fiscal and human resource policies.

Work Location

Work will be conducted primarily on-site in Knoxville, TN
Remote work may be available on either Thursday or Friday with the permission of the position supervisor and consistent with institution regulations. This may be impacted by in-person responsibilities and events which conflict with this schedule.

Compensation and Benefits

Market Range is MR11
Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

For best consideration applicants should submit the materials below:

Cover letter
Current resume
List of three (3) references

About the Howard H. Baker Jr. School for Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School)

The Howard H. Baker Jr. School for Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School) was established in 2023 to honor the distinguished life and legacy of Howard H. Baker Jr., a former US Senator, Senate Majority Leader, White House Chief of Staff, and Ambassador to Japan. Located in a 51,000-sq. ft purpose-built facility, the Baker School evolved from the Baker Center, which for twenty years has operated as a think-tank producing research, public engagement programming, and an active set of student programs. The Baker School is very excited to add degree programs and to grow its research programming into independent research centers. In addition, the Baker School houses the Institute of American Civics, which is responsible for encouraging civic knowledge and civic participation among UT students and the state at large.

Who We Are

We are a dynamic and close-knit team of dedicated and hardworking individuals who are devoted to research, education, and public service initiatives that address real world problems in local, state, national, and global communities. Each member of our team is a valuable contributor to achieving our mission and we work together to find innovative approaches to moving the Baker School forward. We are fast-moving and growing. Our work is constantly evolving to meet changing needs.

About Us
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.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

To apply, visit https://fa-ewlq-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/4849/?mode=location