Reporting to the Assistant Director, the position manages and coordinates business, financial and budget functions within the Center for Renewable Carbon (CRC). Assure policy, procedure, and legal compliance in fiscal, grant and contract operations. Assure that cost accounting principles on sponsored project agreements are compliant. Manage and oversee business operations within the unit, especially with regard to post-award administration; provide financial data and forecasting to CRC faculty, staff and the Assistant Director; supervise business support personnel; and assure the accuracy and efficiency of unit accounting practices overall. Has signatory and electronic approval authority, in conjunction with the Assistant Director, on financial, budget, grant/contracts, HR and business activities. Support the Assistant Director and Center Director with respect to reporting requirements within UT and external organizations.

Required Qualifications:

Education/Experience:

• Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience will be considered as follows:
  • At least 3 years’ or more of relevant experience (finance, accounting, business, or office setting) with a bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or other related field;
  • At least 7 years or more of relevant experience (finance, accounting, business, or office setting) with a 2-year degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or other related field;
  • High school diploma required (or GED equivalent) with at least 11 years or more of relevant experience (finance, accounting, business, or office setting).

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership and problem-solving skills with strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational abilities.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets, databases, and office productivity software.
• Experience and familiarity with enterprise software systems (ex ERP).

Preferred Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred in Business, Finance, Accounting or related field.

Experience:

• Experience in a higher education setting.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience with fiscal post-award management of federal, state, and private grants and contracts is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• ERP experience and financial/accounting experience with the University of Tennessee or other higher education institution.
• Knowledge of UT policy/procedures and Uniform Guidance.
• Knowledge of sponsored projects accounting related to grant and contract operations.

Work Location:

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: MR11
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here.
• Find more information on UT Benefits here.

Application Instructions:

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division:

• The Center for Renewable Carbon at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is internationally recognized for its innovative contributions to bioenergy sources, biorefinery processes, bioproducts, and biomaterials. By integrating cutting-edge research with knowledge transfer and workforce training initiatives, the center plays a vital role in advancing sustainable circular bioeconomy systems.

Budget and Financial Operations:

• Manages the budget, including budget development, oversight, and maintenance.
• Works with UT AgResearch Chief Business Officer and Budget Director in development and management of unrestricted budgets and recharge centers within CRC.
• Oversees and manages CRC's financial operations including oversight of business functions and data entry activities (requisitions, non-competitive justifications, internal transfers, accounts payable / receivable, etc.).
• Coordinates and oversees ledger reconciliation, including tracking and reconciliation internal order balances.
• Ensures financial operations are compliant with UT Fiscal Policies and Procedures.
• Completes federal, state, and university financial reports as requested by the faculty, Assistant Director, Center Director, chief business officer, UT Executive Vice President and Vice President for Research, US Department of Energy, etc.
• Evaluates existing internal business procedures and develops and implements improvements.
• Oversees center financial and administrative support staff as it relates to financial, human resource, and budget functions.
• Offers financial and human resource training to faculty and staff.

Post-Award Research Administration:

• Ensures cost accounting principles on sponsored research agreements are compliant with Federal Office of Management's Uniform Guidance Budget Circular for educational institutions.
• Works with UIA Office of Sponsored Programs and UTIA Sponsored Projects Accounting Office to process award documents and establish new accounts on awarded sponsored projects.
• Ensures expenditures on sponsored research accounts, grants, and contracts comply with OMB Uniform Guidance Budget Circular, individual agreement terms, and agency budgets.
• Monitors and manages financial activity and budget on awarded sponsored research agreements.
• Tracks and maintains salary expenditures and benefits costs for employees paid from awarded sponsored research accounts and ensures timely execution of required changes or transfers to comply with UT cost transfer policies.
• Provides financial control information to the Assistant Director, the Center Director and faculty regarding sponsored research agreements and accounts.

Human Resources, Personnel, and Payroll Operations:

• Ensures the Center is compliant with UT Human Resource Policies and Procedures.
• Reviews and oversees human resource functions.
• Prepares human resource, payroll, and personnel reports requested by the Assistant Director and/or Center Director, faculty, etc.
• Evaluates existing CRC internal procedures and develops and implements improvements.
• Oversees or hosts regular information sessions for CRC faculty and staff on various topics related to human resources.

Pre-Award Research Administration:

• Assists and provides direction to the CRC Principal Investigators in budget development, planning and submission of external sponsored research proposals.
• Assists and provides direction to CRC Principal Investigators on grant and contract policies.
• Evaluates grants and contracts budget proposals to ensure adequate funding has been requested and the Center can comply with stated objectives.

Other business-related duties as required.