Executive Director of Business and Finance, AgResearch: University of Institute
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
Job Summary
Executive Director of Business and Finance – Chief fiscal officer for the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station (UT AgResearch). Directly reports to the Dean and provides fiscal, human resources, and operational strategy for an organization with over $90M in annual financial operations, generating more than 30% of research expenditures for the UT‑Knoxville campus.
Responsibilities
Business Officer Functions
Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all financial and business operations, including fiscal year‑end closeout activities, restricted account and subcontract monitoring, cost sharing, policy interpretation, procedure development, effort certification, and Faculty Salary Incentive Plan administration.
Serve as the authorized signatory for UT AgResearch by reviewing and executing contracts on behalf of the organization.
Interpret and ensure compliance with institutional, federal, and state policies, including the Hatch Act.
Oversee approval processes for entertainment expenses, travel, policy exceptions, new positions, salary actions, timesheets, payroll, and non‑competitive purchase requests.
Administer key business functions such as Travel, Procurement Cards, Conflict of Interest Forms, Non‑Competitive Purchases, Contracts, Fund Account Setup, Inventory, and Internal Controls.
Develop, implement, and maintain business procedures and tools that support effective management of UT AgResearch operations, including record retention systems and staff responsibility alignment.
Manage and report two annual fiscal year‑end closeouts: State of Tennessee (due June 30) and Federal Government (due September 30).
Review and approve conflict of interest disclosures and serve as a member of the UT Institute of Agriculture Conflict of Interest Committee.
Administer the Faculty Salary Incentive Plan, including policy development, application submission, review, and bonus disbursements.
Budgeting Functions
Lead and manage the UT AgResearch annual operating budget (~$90M), including strategic financial planning, development, allocation, monitoring, reporting, revisions, and projections.
Allocate budgetary resources to 7 departments, 1 school, and 10 AgResearch and Education Centers across the state.
Conduct financial forecasting, projections, and long‑range planning as part of the strategic planning team to ensure the successful execution of UT AgResearch’s mission.
Federal Appropriation Functions
Interpret and ensure compliance with evolving federal regulations governing Hatch Act capacity funds, Multi‑State research projects, McIntire Stennis funds, and Animal Health appropriations.
Represent UT AgResearch in semiannual meetings of the Southern Agricultural Business Officers group, contributing to national policy development for federally appropriated capacity funds.
Develop, maintain, and oversee the Federal Appropriation Project System in SharePoint.
Lead UT AgResearch’s use of USDA REEport for federal reporting.
Oversee financial management of all federally appropriated capacity funds on the federal fiscal year cycle, including compliance, expenditure allocations, and reporting.
Oversee the UT AgResearch Work Plan System, including development of requirements, authorization workflows, information standards, and policy guidelines.
Sponsored Projects Accounting Oversight
Develop and implement post‑award policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal administrative requirements and costing principles.
Approve cost‑sharing commitments on grants and contracts when agency requirements necessitate the use of UT AgResearch funds.
Collaborate with the UTIA Sponsored Projects Accounting Director on post‑award accounting requirements and complex financial issues.
Establish and oversee policies and procedures for subcontract monitoring to safeguard university assets.
Training and Problem Solving
Counsel and advise the Dean, department heads, UT AgResearch and Education Center directors, and faculty on financial procedures, policy interpretation, and compliance requirements.
Oversee design, delivery, and continuous improvement of financial training for departmental business managers, leaders, staff, faculty, and the Dean’s Office.
Serve as liaison with representation from UT Treasurer’s Office, UT Controller’s Office, UTK Finance & Administration, and external agencies to resolve financial requests and matters.
Identify and allocate funding to support proposed budget activities and prepare proposed and revised budget reports, state appropriation requests, monthly financial status reports, and ad‑hoc analyses for the Dean.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field.
Experience:
Six years of progressively responsible budget, finance, and accounting experience.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Detail‑oriented, flexible, multi‑task environment with self‑initiation and networking skills.
Limited supervision, prioritization, and handling of confidential information.
Self‑discipline and seamless interaction with faculty and staff.
Sound judgment in decision‑making.
Trustworthy and dependable.
Strong office computer and business accounting skills.
Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to adapt policies and procedures to new situations.
Effective operation in an interdisciplinary setting.
Ability to provide work direction and supervise staff.
Strong leadership and conflict resolution skills.
Sound fiscal management and strategic planning capabilities.
Preferred Qualifications
Education/Experience:
Master’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field with experience in a research university or entity.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Certified Public Accountant.
Knowledge of GAAP, FAR, Uniform Guidance, and other governmental accounting standards.
Knowledge of 1862 Land Grant University Administrative and Fiscal Requirements.
Work Location
Knoxville, TN – primarily on‑campus with occasional flexibility for remote work.
Compensation and Benefits
UT market range: MR17
Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
Find more information on UT Benefits here
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Responsibilities
Business Officer Functions
Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all financial and business operations, including fiscal year‑end closeout activities, restricted account and subcontract monitoring, cost sharing, policy interpretation, procedure development, effort certification, and Faculty Salary Incentive Plan administration.
Serve as the authorized signatory for UT AgResearch by reviewing and executing contracts on behalf of the organization.
Interpret and ensure compliance with institutional, federal, and state policies, including the Hatch Act.
Oversee approval processes for entertainment expenses, travel, policy exceptions, new positions, salary actions, timesheets, payroll, and non‑competitive purchase requests.
Administer key business functions such as Travel, Procurement Cards, Conflict of Interest Forms, Non‑Competitive Purchases, Contracts, Fund Account Setup, Inventory, and Internal Controls.
Develop, implement, and maintain business procedures and tools that support effective management of UT AgResearch operations, including record retention systems and staff responsibility alignment.
Manage and report two annual fiscal year‑end closeouts: State of Tennessee (due June 30) and Federal Government (due September 30).
Review and approve conflict of interest disclosures and serve as a member of the UT Institute of Agriculture Conflict of Interest Committee.
Administer the Faculty Salary Incentive Plan, including policy development, application submission, review, and bonus disbursements.
Budgeting Functions
Lead and manage the UT AgResearch annual operating budget (~$90M), including strategic financial planning, development, allocation, monitoring, reporting, revisions, and projections.
Allocate budgetary resources to 7 departments, 1 school, and 10 AgResearch and Education Centers across the state.
Conduct financial forecasting, projections, and long‑range planning as part of the strategic planning team to ensure the successful execution of UT AgResearch’s mission.
Federal Appropriation Functions
Interpret and ensure compliance with evolving federal regulations governing Hatch Act capacity funds, Multi‑State research projects, McIntire Stennis funds, and Animal Health appropriations.
Represent UT AgResearch in semiannual meetings of the Southern Agricultural Business Officers group, contributing to national policy development for federally appropriated capacity funds.
Develop, maintain, and oversee the Federal Appropriation Project System in SharePoint.
Lead UT AgResearch’s use of USDA REEport for federal reporting.
Oversee financial management of all federally appropriated capacity funds on the federal fiscal year cycle, including compliance, expenditure allocations, and reporting.
Oversee the UT AgResearch Work Plan System, including development of requirements, authorization workflows, information standards, and policy guidelines.
Sponsored Projects Accounting Oversight
Develop and implement post‑award policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal administrative requirements and costing principles.
Approve cost‑sharing commitments on grants and contracts when agency requirements necessitate the use of UT AgResearch funds.
Collaborate with the UTIA Sponsored Projects Accounting Director on post‑award accounting requirements and complex financial issues.
Establish and oversee policies and procedures for subcontract monitoring to safeguard university assets.
Training and Problem Solving
Counsel and advise the Dean, department heads, UT AgResearch and Education Center directors, and faculty on financial procedures, policy interpretation, and compliance requirements.
Oversee design, delivery, and continuous improvement of financial training for departmental business managers, leaders, staff, faculty, and the Dean’s Office.
Serve as liaison with representation from UT Treasurer’s Office, UT Controller’s Office, UTK Finance & Administration, and external agencies to resolve financial requests and matters.
Identify and allocate funding to support proposed budget activities and prepare proposed and revised budget reports, state appropriation requests, monthly financial status reports, and ad‑hoc analyses for the Dean.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field.
Experience:
Six years of progressively responsible budget, finance, and accounting experience.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Detail‑oriented, flexible, multi‑task environment with self‑initiation and networking skills.
Limited supervision, prioritization, and handling of confidential information.
Self‑discipline and seamless interaction with faculty and staff.
Sound judgment in decision‑making.
Trustworthy and dependable.
Strong office computer and business accounting skills.
Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to adapt policies and procedures to new situations.
Effective operation in an interdisciplinary setting.
Ability to provide work direction and supervise staff.
Strong leadership and conflict resolution skills.
Sound fiscal management and strategic planning capabilities.
Preferred Qualifications
Education/Experience:
Master’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field with experience in a research university or entity.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Certified Public Accountant.
Knowledge of GAAP, FAR, Uniform Guidance, and other governmental accounting standards.
Knowledge of 1862 Land Grant University Administrative and Fiscal Requirements.
Work Location
Knoxville, TN – primarily on‑campus with occasional flexibility for remote work.
Compensation and Benefits
UT market range: MR17
Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
Find more information on UT Benefits here
#J-18808-Ljbffr