Business Operations Specialist, Sr.

86491BR

Campus: Tempe

Business Ops Specialist Sr

Job Description

The School of Human Evolution and Social Change (SHESC) seeks a highly motivated, organized, and financially savvy Business Operations Specialist, Sr. who possesses a solution-based mindset and has the ability to creatively problem solve. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated with an efficient work methodology, skilled in maintaining effective working relationships in a diverse population, and experienced in handling confidential and sensitive information. Acute attention-to-detail, exceptional multi-tasking abilities, and customer service skills are critical to success.
This position will report to the Associate Director, Operations (ADO), will be a member of the SHESC Business Services team, and will also supervise the business operations team. As a supervisor, they will possess strong interpersonal communication skills with the knowledge to understand various audiences and will consistently offer an energetic and friendly service-oriented approach. This position will routinely interact with other members of the SHESC staff, faculty, administrators at all ASU levels, and external parties, so excellent communication skills and expedient follow-up are critical to success.
This position performs work of considerable responsibility to ensure consistent use of standard business practices, internal controls, fiscal policies and procedures in accordance with all applicable governing, state, and federal regulations. Knowledge of academic and university policies and procedures and the ability to identify and implement best practice is desirable. If you are looking for a position that includes a broad scope of business operations functions and are a leader who enjoys making an impact in a positive and collaborative environment, this position would be a good fit. 

Job Family

Business Operations

Full-Time/Part-Time

Full-Time

Grant Funded Position

This is not a grant funded position and is not contingent on future grant funding.

Salary Range

$60,000 - $64,500 per year; DOE

Close Date

30-December-2022 - EXTENDED

Essential Duties

Support of Day-to-Day Financial Operations -- Duties include, but are not limited to: 

• Ensure day-to-day successful execution of all fiscal assigned duties, which may include purchasing, processing Workday documents, approving Workday transactions, planning, and account/P-Card verifications for numerous accounts.  
• Manage the travel process in ASU’s travel system Concur, which requires knowledge of ASU travel policies and procedures. 
• Responsible for reviewing and approving purchase requests initiated by SHESC faculty and staff. 
• Analyze and make recommendations for supplies, service requirements, and capital equipment, as needed.  
• Serve as point person for the business operations team’s use of SharePoint and Power Automate workflow automation functionalities to maintain and update workflow processes and integrations currently in place. 
• Manage high-priority activities in a fast-paced environment requiring coordination and follow through; responds to administrative inquiries and ensures resolution and follow-up. 
• Assist with information and data gathering in the preparation of departmental administrative and financial reports; analyze, summarize, and interpret information. 
• Provide general support to the rest of the business services team members, which includes HR, front office operations, and research advancement, to process transactions such as journals, expense transfers, etc. 

• Serve as lead resource for the business operations team to process and delegate travel reimbursements, purchase of supplies, service, and equipment in accordance with established procurement and financial policies. 
• Provide daily work direction and oversight of assigned staff and student workers to guarantee accurate and timely completion of work requests.  
• Evaluate performance of staff in conjunction with established policies and procedures set forth by SHESC, ASU, and other governing agencies. 
• Handle staff hiring and professional development.  
• Lead and participate in team meetings and activities. 

• Maintain exceptional knowledge of ASU practices and policies in order to provide daily policy guidance and direction to SHESC faculty and staff in order to ensure compliance related to all fiscal matters.  
• Maintain financial files and documentation following established procurement and financial policies as required by ASU/ABOR/ASUF. 
• Work with ADO to ensure and verify consistency and compliance of business operations activities across SHESC-related centers and institutes; prepares and updates internal manuals. 
• Assist ADO and the School Director with special projects as directed and other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a field appropriate to the area of assignment AND five (5) years of related experience; OR, Nine (9) years of related experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Desired Qualifications

• Evidence of (3) years' experience managing, supervising, and evaluating the work of staff and possess knowledge of management principles and practices.  
• Experience working in business administration at a higher education institution and with a high degree of confidentiality and discretion. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of ASU travel policies and procedures, specifically within Concur. 
• Experience using a financial management system in a higher education environment (Workday preferred). 
• Experience managing a departmental purchasing card and reconciliations. 
• Possess advanced system and software skills with the ability to learn and adapt quickly to new technology and processes, including Workday, Concur, Microsoft Office Suite and applications (specifically Teams, SharePoint, and Excel), Google Drive, Dropbox. 
• Experience in working independently, exercising analytical skills, and decision making, in an environment subject to minimal direction/supervision. 
• Experience in working effectively in an environment subject to regularly changing priorities and strict deadlines requiring regular follow through of activities within assigned work. 
• Experience in using analytical skills.
• Ability to briefly summarize information from various sources. 
• Experience in problem-solving complex issues, meeting deadlines, and nimble decision-making. 

Working Environment

This position requires: 

• A Monday-Friday work schedule. Occasional weekend work and/or travel will be required for critical deadlines and/or events.   
• This position is based at the Tempe campus, though remote work arrangements are a possibility. flexible work arrangement policies. 
• Work both independently and within a complex structured team. 
• Must have visual acuity and manual dexterity associated with daily use of a desktop computer.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach and lift up to 20 pounds.  
• Ability to clearly communicate to perform essential duties. 
• Work from general instructions on standard job duties and specific directions/instructions on new assignments. 
• Ability to interpret complex sponsor regulations. 
• Use a telephone, computer (monitor, keyboard, and mouse), scanner, printer, fax, and copy machine. 

Department Statement

Known for its leadership in innovative education and research, the School of Human Evolution and Social Change includes one of the nation's top-ranked anthropology programs and the largest and most research-productive transdisciplinary anthropology faculty in the nation. Staying true to our four-field anthropological origins means we remain committed to leveraging a long-term, comparative, and holistic perspective on human origins and diversity as a way to understand and address complex problems, now and for the future, and a deep concern for community engagement and social justice. In addition to anthropology, our students can earn degrees in global health and applied mathematics for the life and social sciences. We are also known for our high-quality study abroad, field school programs and research apprenticeship opportunities for our ~1,000 undergraduate majors and ~100 graduate students.
We offer a dynamic, collegial, and challenging work environment due to the pace of innovation, complex array of research and academic programs, and high-profile initiatives. SHESC is one of the largest social science units in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, ASU's largest and most diverse college. For complete information, see http://shesc.asu.edu/.

ASU Statement

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

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Employment Verification Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Fingerprint Check Statement

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.

Instructions to Apply

Application deadline is 3:00PM Arizona time on the date indicated.

Please include all employment information in month/year format (e.g., 6/88 to 8/94), job title, job duties and name of employer for each position.

Resume should clearly illustrate how prior knowledge and experience meets the Minimum and Desired qualifications of this position.

ASU does not pay for travel expenses associated with interviews, unless otherwise indicated.

Only electronic applications are accepted for this position.

IMPORTANT NOTE: What is the meaning of “equivalent combination” in the minimum qualifications? It means one year of higher education or 24 credit hours, is equal to one year of experience. For example, a four year Bachelor’s degree is equal to four years of experience.