BUSINESS MANAGER

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. 

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Friday Harbor Labs (FHL) has an outstanding opportunity for a Business Manager to join their tight knit team located in Friday Harbor, WA.

Friday Harbor Laboratories (FHL) is a research unit of the College of the Environment, located on a 490 acre biological reserve on San Juan Island. The primary mission of FHL is marine research, with teaching and public outreach also an important part of our mission at UW. FHL was established over 100 years ago and operates year-round, bringing scientists, students, and scholars from all over the world together to study and conduct research in the marine sciences.

FHL is a unique unit within the College since it is a research station, offers undergraduate and graduate classes, runs dormitories and The Whiteley Center for Scholars, hosts conferences and workshops, operates scientific diving and other research from FHL-owned vessels and small boats, and runs a dining hall. Given this diversity of operations, FHL is also home to diverse users and visitors from all over the globe who come to learn, study, teach, and discover. FHL is committed to fostering an environment that is professional, ethical, inclusive and respectful of all who participate in our community, and expects all FHL employees, students and visitors to contribute positively to our community.

Together with the Director, and Operations Manager, the Business Manager implements and upholds administrative policies and procedures at this complex unit to ensure compliance with applicable UW, state, and federal requirements and best practices. This position manages approximately 30 self-sustaining budgets and state budgets, worth $1.8 million, and oversees grants and contracts. The position also is responsible for human resources activities such as hiring permanent and temporary staff and quarterly faculty, payroll oversight for ~30 employees, advising managers on disciplinary actions and employee leaves, and ensuring Workday data integrity related to all of the above.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

FISCAL OPERATIONS (55%)

• Manage self-sustaining budgets, including FHL housing, dining, research vessels, small boats, lab fees, facilities use fees, and diving. Activities include managing payroll, setting up expenditures, reviewing expenditures, and approving monthly transaction reports. Work with Operations Manager and FHL fiscal team on the annual rate proposals.
• Manage state budgets, including setting up projections, reviewing expenditures, and preparing for biennium close and open. Run financial projections to assure proper allocation of resources.
• Approve ProCard and other expenditures for all FHL budgets.
• Set up and manage grants and contract proposals, and provide administrative support to scientists in the financial management of their grants from preparation to conclusion of the grants. Assist PIs on budgeting and submission of proposals in the university and sponsor systems. Review expenditures for compliance with UW and federal regulations. Perform follow-up work in cost sharing and faculty effort certifications, and help implement closure of grant and contract budgets.
• Work closely with FHL's Director and Operations Manager in managing payroll, HR services, budget rate proposals and other financial services.

HUMAN RESOURCES (30%)

• Lead HR activities at FHL, including Academic HR and Staff HR.
• Academic HR: Manage academic appointments for visiting faculty. Cooperate with the Dean’s Office and academic appointing units (i.e., departments and schools) to set up these appointments. Enter faculty fellowships and other appointments into the UW Workday system.
• Staff HR: Work closely with UW Human Resources and College Human Resources on employee actions including hiring, reclassification, FMLA or other leave, layoffs, disciplinary issues and other HR issues.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES (10%)

• Supervise two office fiscal staff. Coach, advise, and mentor these staff to facilitate their effective performance, professional growth, and cross-training.
• Evaluate performance annually and provide regular performance feedback as necessary throughout the year.

OTHER (5%)

• Other tasks and projects as assigned

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

A college degree (BA or BS) and/or other professional certification in a relevant field and at least two years of administrative experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

•  Skills utilizing Microsoft Office suite (particularly Excel) and ability to learn new computing or software applications, including all UW-specific systems, as necessary for the job.
•  Proven ability to work independently, as well as in a team.
•  Excellent communication, supervisory, and interpersonal skills.
•  Willingness and ability to evaluate the need for and to implement new procedures as necessary to ensure compliance and effective operations.
•  Must be able to be on the FHL campus 5 days a week during business hours.
•  Commitment to supporting the FHL mission.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in HR operations, such as hiring, performance management, payroll, leave administration, etc.
• Experience in budget and financial management.
• Experience with UW administrative systems (Workday, SAGE, UWHires etc.).
• Experience with the UW’s academic and research processes and infrastructure.

Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you log into your “My Jobs” page. If you choose to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.