Business Manager, Department of Plant Sciences UTIA

This position is responsible for all financial and administrative activities performed in the Plant Sciences Department including but not limited to: accounts payable accounts receivable payroll travel purchasing supervising business office staff updating developing documenting and implementing processes and procedures reconciling accounts and counseling faculty preparing data and statistics for sponsored projects and other reporting agencies assuring all rules and regulations are abided by and serving as the department heads guide for all operating accounts and budgets.

• Manage all operating gift and sponsored project accounts in Plant Sciences by approving all financial transactions to include invoice payments procurement card expenses travel payroll pay funding changes additional pays terminations interdepartmental transfers purchasing requisitions purchase orders and contracts.Review reconcile forecast monitor budgets consult with PIs provide documentation for changes to include extensions and budget changes and prepare closeouts for all sponsored projects.Responsible for discussing and deciding if operating funds are available to carry out department head needs.Maintain and distribute allocations for PIs consisting of F&A returns salary savings FIP and match returns. Monitor fees associated with tuition and fee waivers. Decide and spend departmental gift account funds for department needs while maintaining integrity of donors wishes. Responsible for approving proposals utilizing information for reporting and auditing accounts created in Cayuse.
• Supervise office staff. Analyze work loads and distribute tasks to maintain timely completion and back-ups for work. Train employees and document tasks in a procedure manual for consistency.Prepare performance evaluations and establish goals. Motivate and create a positive environment.
• Serve as an accounts receivable coordinator by developing procedures and processes for collecting funds from events. Responsible for bankcard machine as means of collecting funds and all compliance rules associated with bankcards. Responsible for establishing and reporting PCI documentation for bankcard collections.Responsible for reporting sales tax collected monthly.
• Other duties as necessary to provide back-up for office operations and faculty support on general office processes.

Required Qualifications:

• Education:

  • Bachelors degree in accounting business economics finance or public administration

• Experience:

  • Minimum of 3-5 years of higher education academic accounting/financial experience.

• Knowledge Skills Abilities:

  • Knowledge of and ability to appropriately apply University policies and procedures.
  • Knowledge of standard accounting principles and federal and state regulations.
  • Ability to organize data systematically.
  • Ability to multi-task supervise communicate effectively and problem solve.
  • Ability to maintain fiscal integrity and confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education:

  • Masters Degree

• Knowledge Skills Abilities:

  • Knowledge of DASH/Oracle and other computer software packages.
  • Knowledge of sponsored projects accounting preferred.
  • Knowledge of University of Tennessee fiscal policy.

Work Location:

• Location: 2431 Joe Johnson Drive Knoxville TN 37996
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: MR 11
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structurehere
• Find more information on UT Benefitshere

Application Instructions:

To express interest please submit an application with the noted below attachments. We will start reviewing applications onJanuary 12 2026.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division:

The Department of Plant Sciences part of the Herbert College of Agriculture at the University of Tennessee Knoxville addresses agricultural and environmental challenges through teaching research and Extension. We offer programs in plant sciences and landscape design conduct research in crop production genetics plant physiology and sustainable agriculture and support growers and industry partners across Tennessee.