Fiscal & Business Admin Manager

The Manager Fiscal and Business Admin serves as a senior financial and research administration professional within the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity and Computing providing strategic leadership in budget planning fiscal management and research administration across multiple funding sources including E&G Auxiliary Foundation Research Foundation and other restricted funds. The position oversees college-wide financial operations to ensure accuracy transparency and compliance with university and state regulations while managing faculty startup commitments performing financial analyses preparing projections and reports reconciling accounts and supporting data-driven decision-making for college leadership. Working collaboratively with the Dean Associate Dean of Research Director of Operations and Assistant Director of Finance the Manager Fiscal and Business Admin advises on budgetary facilities and staffing matters and conducts strategic analyses to guide both short- and long-term planning.

The role also provides training and mentorship to fiscal and research administration staff develops standardized procedures strengthens internal controls leads process improvements and ensures alignment of fiscal operations with the Colleges mission and institutional goals. This position requires three to five years of progressive higher education experience; demonstrated leadership project management and supervisory skills; and proven expertise in managing diverse funding portfolios including E&G funds grants and contracts auxiliaries core facilities and foundation budgets. Additional qualifications include advanced proficiency in budget development financial analysis forecasting and strategic fiscal planning; a comprehensive understanding of statutes regulations and institutional policies governing research administration; exceptional written and verbal communication abilities; and strong analytical organizational and problem-solving skills with a commitment to precision accountability and continuous improvement.

Opened in 2025 and powered by a University of South Florida record $40 million gift from Arnie and Lauren Bellini USFs Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity and Computing is the first in Florida and among the first in the nation to unify AI cybersecurity and computing within a single college. More than 65 faculty members focus on cutting-edge research and educating 3000 bachelors masters and doctoral students across 15 degree programs in computer science cybersecurity AI information technology and computer engineering. The college emphasizes industry-relevant education and experiential learning to prepare students for real-world challenges. It also serves as the central hub for AI and cybersecurity research and teaching at USF collaborating with colleges and units across the university.

Budget and Fiscal Management

• Manage diverse funding sources including:
• E&G Carry-Forward Auxiliary Core Facility Centers and Institutes Faculty Startup College Research Initiative Accounts (RIA) Pre/Post-Award management USF Research Foundation and USF Foundation funds.
• Oversee faculty startup commitments and maintain a college-wide startup tracking system for the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity and Computing.
• Serve as a liaison with VP areas to ensure accuracy of faculty commitment transactions and compliance with university and college policies.
• Post and reconcile transfers in Axiom/BBS and process budget adjustments to support operational and research priorities.
• Prepare financial reports and analyses for the Dean Associate Dean of Research Director of Operations and Assistant Director of Finance offering data-driven recommendations on spending trends and fund management.
• Oversee operating budgets for the Bellini College and its core facilities including expenditures project funding monthly reconciliations and budget projections.
• Train and support unit finance staff to promote accountability transparency and consistency in fiscal practices.
• Collaborate with Bellini College leadership and the Finance and Research Teams to align financial operations with institutional goals and ensure strong fiscal stewardship.

Advisory and Strategic Analysis

• Advise the Assistant Director of Finance on financial budgetary facilities and staffing/faculty matters through comprehensive reports and data-driven analyses.
• Conduct SWOT analyses risk assessments and benchmarking studies to identify operational opportunities risks and emerging trends impacting the college.
• Provide extensive analysis of resources revenue projections and expenditure forecasts to support both short- and long-term strategic planning.
• Review and approve all Educational Business Activity (EBA) requests to ensure compliance with university policies fiscal integrity and operational appropriateness.

Finance and Research Administration Leadership:

• Provides strategic leadership and coordination across Bellini Colleges research administration functions ensuring consistency compliance and operational efficiency across all academic units.
• Leads and supports personnel development including participation in the recruitment and hiring of additional team members to the finance and research teams within the College.
• Designs develops and maintains a comprehensive training and onboarding program for finance and research team members incorporating procedural guidelines reference materials and ongoing learning opportunities.
• Creates tools templates and best practice guides to enhance procedural consistency and improve research and financial management processes across all departments.
• Provides mentorship coaching and professional development for finance and research teams fostering a collaborative research administration community and promoting continuous improvement.
• Ensures alignment of research administration practices with college goals university policies and sponsor regulations promoting transparency and accountability in all research financial activities

Financial Operations and Administrative Leadership:

• Provides leadership and financial operational support to instructional and administrative staff through training scheduled meetings and collaborative initiatives designed to improve quality efficiency and performance across the Bellini College.
• Leads the evaluation development and implementation of enhanced business practices procedures and internal controls ensuring operational consistency and fiscal integrity.
• Conducts periodic control audits in collaboration with key stakeholders to identify process improvements strengthen compliance and mitigate risk.
• Ensures that all college fiscal policies and procedures align with federal state and local compliance regulations audit requirements and SUS policies and procedures.
• Promotes a culture of accountability and continuous improvement fostering operational excellence across all administrative functions.

This position requires a Bachelors degree in Accounting Finance or Business Administration or other field directly related to the positions specific responsibilities and four years of professional business experience; or a Masters degree in the same fields and two years of experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.