Colorado State University Strategic Business Manager, Western Colorado Research Ctr, Grand Junction, CO

Updated: about 2 years ago
Location: Grand Junction, COLORADO
Deadline: 27 Mar 2022

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Colorado State University Strategic Business Manager, Western Colorado Research Ctr, Grand Junction, CO
Position Location Grand Junction, CO
Research Professional Position No
Posting Number 202200360AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Prof/Indiv Contributor II
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $54,000-$65,000 plus benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 03/27/2022
Description of Work Unit
The College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) and the Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) are integral parts of the Colorado State University land-grant system. The CAS Dean’s Office is responsible for oversight in fulfilling the land-grant mission in agricultural sciences through teaching, research, community and economic outreach and engagement, in service to and in cooperation with the Office of Engagement (OEE). The Ag Business Center (ABC) is part of the CAS Dean’s Office and provides shared administrative services support to the college and the Agricultural Experiment Station in the areas of financial services, research administration, human resources, and grant facilitation. The Ag Business Center organizational structure consists of Accounting Techs, Business Managers, HR Professionals, and Grant Facilitators, all reporting up to the Executive Director of Finance for CAS and AES.
Position Summary
The Strategic Business Manager is a full-time position in the Ag Business Center who leads the business operations of one or more of the five academic departments (Animal Sciences, Soil and Crop Sciences, Agricultural and Resource Economics, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, and Agricultural Biology within the College of Agricultural Sciences and/or any of our Agricultural Experiment Station research stations located across the state. Specifically, this position directly supports the Western Colorado Research Center, which is comprised of three sites: Orchard Mesa (Grand Junction), Grand Valley (Fruita), and the Organic Research Center at Rogers Mesa (Hotchkiss). Primary office location will be at the Grand Junction site with expectations to travel occasionally to other sites. The position will also indirectly support the Southwest Colorado Research Center. This position must be highly motivated to provide direct strategic guidance and overall implementation of the financial resources of the department(s), which includes providing budget and fiscal analysis, as well as day-to-day financial management and execution to ensure compliance of fiscal rules and regulations for over $1.2 Million in annual expenditures across multiple, complex funding sources to include university base funds from the state, federal AES capacity funds, student funds, research funds, various types of cash enterprises, and gift funds. The position will be responsible for understanding the sources of funds, presenting financial reports to the department/research centers such as an annual statement of cash flow, financial management of research funding, daily business-related tasks, policy improvements, and providing thorough strategic business analysis and guidance for the Executive Director of Finance. Independent judgment and analytical skills must be exercised to understand, interpret, and manage data, technical information, policies, procedures, federal uniform guidance, and overall university business operations. This position warrants a great deal of independent analysis and decision making to determine the best approach to achieve integrated business and research needs to meet the strategic vision of the department/research center in coordination with the mission and vision of the College and AES. This position requires the skills and flexibility to interact effectively with a range of people, such as managers, faculty, researchers, external stakeholders, central business operations personnel, university administrators, college/AES staff, and students. This position reports to the Executive Director of Finance. The desired start date is as soon as possible.
Required Job Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of professional experience in financial/business/management related responsibilities that demonstrate the aptitude to perform the essential functions OR
Associate’s degree and five (5) years of financial/business/management related responsibilities that demonstrate the aptitude to perform the essential functions
• Experience with fund-based accounting and business management reporting.
• Problem solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.
Preferred Job Qualifications
• Completed master’s degree in finance, accounting, business, public administration or relevant business area.
• Demonstrated experience with Uniform Guidance, Cost Accounting Standards, and interpreting and ensuring compliance with regulatory policies.
• Understanding of data analytics.
• Experience with CSU systems such as KFS, KR, Oracle, TimeClock-Plus, and/or WebFocus
Diversity Statement
•Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Budget and Fiscal Strategic Analysis
Duty/Responsibility
Provide overall budget and fiscal analysis for various complex funding types to include resources from the state and federal Agricultural Experiment Station (AES), Education & General (E&G), CSU Extension, self-sustaining activities, grants and contracts, and Foundation Gift funds.
• Lead and manage strategic financial planning and forecasting for the Research Center Manager as well as various projects and programs.
• Manage cash flow, including general operating, faculty/staff buyouts, cost sharing commitments and various obligations.
• Responsible for assisting the Research Center Manager with developing a budget to support the strategic plan of the center, communicating the budget to constituents, and utilizing resources appropriately.
• Approval of expenditures, oversee preparation and input of budget and fund transfers, monitor research center accounts and monthly reconciliation, ensure financial records, retention, and adhere to financial policies and procedures.
• Track commitments to faculty/staff and special programs. Coordinate with Executive Director of Finance on payment of commitments.
• Ensure monthly budget reporting for Research Center Manager and Faculty via WebFocus and/or email and/or meetings.
• Assist with timely access to budget details and balances requested by managers and staff.
• Understand the workflow and operation of the ABC and work collaboratively to ensure financial and payroll transactions are processed timely.
Percentage Of Time 35
Job Duty Category Financial Execution
Duty/Responsibility
Provide responsive and accurate financial implementation and support for the research center to include post award research for a diverse research center and with a varied funding portfolio which include CSU internal sources and sponsors in government, the private sector, and non-profit agencies each with their own contractual rules and regulations. This requires working across multiple CSU colleges/units and other external partners, in addition to working with Sponsored Programs.
• Post-award support in terms of allocating and justifying allowable costs, serving as the fiscal officer for grant transactions, and meeting with Principle Investigators (PI) to manage grant spending.
• Oversee the staffing of all research center personnel to align with budget, as well as Sponsored Programs policies when applicable.
• Manage effort certification for all competitive grants, by providing pre-review of all payroll transactions in CSU eCert (online certification system), making changes as needed and communicating with PI’s regarding final effort certification requirements.
• Provide daily implementation of accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions to including reviewing and entering travel, disbursement vouchers, purchase requisitions, internal orders within the Kuali Financial System (KFS). In addition to creating invoices and following up on any payable or receivable discrepancy. 
Percentage Of Time 35
Job Duty Category Human Resources and Administrative Functions
Duty/Responsibility
• Enter position descriptions, job postings, and vacancy updates into the Talent Management System (TMS) to support the hiring process of positions. Support hiring authorities with updates/audits, promotions/upgrades, recruitment and selection.
• Serve as main point of contact for hiring process on non-student and student hourly employees. This includes background checks, new hire paperwork, I-9 verification, and TimeClock Plus access.
• Serve as Search Support to assist in EO compliant search processes, when needed. Coordinates search committee members for search committee meetings and travel to interviews, communicates with interview candidates by providing them necessary information, prepares interview reimbursements and hiring/personnel files.  
Percentage Of Time 25
Job Duty Category Service
Duty/Responsibility
Serve on departmental, college and university committees as assigned or required.
 • Maintain strong working relationships with college and university offices including but not limited to: Business and Financial Services, Sponsored Programs, Human Resource Services, CAS Departments, Collaborating AES scientists, Procurement Services, , etc.
 • Provide back up support within the Ag Business Center as needed. 
Percentage Of Time 5

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
Apply by March 27, 2022 for full consideration. Complete application packets will include (1) Cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications listed in the job; (2) Current resume; (3) Copy of unofficial academic transcript(s) reflecting degree(s) completed; and (4) Contact information of two professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search Contact [email protected]
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.


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