• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $86,000 - $92,000

Position Summary

The Business Manager serves as a key operational and strategic partner to assigned departments within the Columbia Climate School, providing critical support across finance, procurement, human resources, and administrative processes. This position acts as a front-line liaison and single point of contact, ensuring effective coordination between departments and central administrative units to facilitate efficient service delivery and operational excellence.

The incumbent is responsible for the full lifecycle of budget management, including planning, monitoring, reconciliation, and reporting, while ensuring compliance with university policies and timely execution of financial transactions. They oversee procurement and contracting processes, support invoice and expense processing, and serve as a resource for travel-related inquiries and training. Additionally, the Business Manager supports departmental human resource functions, guiding hiring and personnel transaction processes, and assisting with job description development in partnership with the Climate School HR team.

This role also contributes to continuous process improvement by fostering cross-functional collaboration among Business Managers, standardizing communications, and staying current with institutional policy changes. The Business Manager exercises a high degree of independent judgment and discretion, supervises casual or student workers, and represents the Finance and Administration team as needed.

The Business Manager performs all other duties as assigned by the Associate Director of Centers and Programs.

Responsibilities

Budget Administration, Financial Controls, and Reporting

• Serves as a key liaison to assigned departments, providing comprehensive support in the planning, monitoring, and responsible execution of departmental budgets. In addition to assisting with budget preparation and oversight, the Business Manager is accountable for monthly account reconciliations, dissemination of monthly budget files to clients, and budget entries and modifications.
• The role requires clear and timely communication with departments regarding their financial position to inform decision-making.
• The Business Manager is also responsible for accurate and timely data entry into Columbia University financial systems to ensure the integrity of funding and expense records. 

Procurement and Travel Support

• Provides comprehensive support to departments in all procurement-related activities, including assistance with CU Marketplace orders, purchase order transactions, and contract facilitation.
• Acts as a liaison between the Climate School Procurement team and assigned departments to ensure efficient and timely processing of purchasing and contracting requests.
• Assists departments in submitting invoices for payment to Accounts Payable, ensuring accurate allocation of expenses to appropriate accounts and adherence to institutional financial procedures.
• Serves as a first point of contact for departmental travel and expense inquiries. Offers guidance on Concur and World Travel processes. Completes expense reports and serves as travel arranger, as necessary. 

Human Resources Support

• Serves as an intermediary between assigned departments and the Climate School Human Resources team, providing guidance and support to ensure the accurate and timely submission of hiring and employee transaction requests.
• Assists departments in interpreting HR policies and procedures, and offers advisory support throughout the hiring process.
• Provides assistance with the development and refinement of job descriptions to ensure alignment with institutional standards and operational needs.
• Assists with onboarding and completes employee transaction requests. 

Process Enhancement

• Collaborates with peer Business Managers to develop and refine consistent language and messaging, promoting cohesion and clarity in communications and support provided across the department. Ensures adherence to university policy by researching and keeping up to date on continued policy changes; advises communication staff on best practices.
• All other duties as assigned by the Associate Director.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree, plus 3-5 years of related experience.

• Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal.

• Ability to establish schedules and meet deadlines.

• Must be able to provide clear direction on policy matters and offer suggestions to those not directly under oversight, requiring tact and discretion.

Preferred Qualifications

• As Business Manager it’s critical the incumbent be a team player and exhibit a willingness to prioritize assignments to meet day-to-day needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.