Business Manager, Department of Plant Sciences : UTIA

Financial Administrator For Plant Sciences Department

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 head's guide for all operating accounts and budgets.

Responsibilities

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 PI's, 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 PI's 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 donor's 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.

Qualifications

Education : Bachelor's 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 :

Work Location : 2431 Joe Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996

Compensation and Benefits :

Application Instructions :

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

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.