Career Center

The Business Administrator, is an integral member of the Research, Innovation & Impact (RII) Business Services team, providing business and research administration support to the DC Center and Office of Native American Advancement & Tribal Engagement (NAATE). As a centralized consortium of research administration professionals, our team is a one-stop shop for interactions with sponsors and central campus administrative units including the Sponsored Projects Services, Office of Research Contracts, FSO, Office of Budget and Planning, and the UA Foundation.

This position is responsible for independently assisting Directors, Managers and Investigators in developing, coordinating, submitting, and effectively managing funding from a variety of sources (examples include private, federal, UAF/gift, and state sources). The incumbent will proactively address the needs of account administration by providing exceptional customer service to Units and investigators. The RII Business Services team is committed to identifying and adhering to best practices in preparing and interpreting financial information, budgeting and forecasting, and account management while upholding high standards of integrity and fiduciary responsibility. 

The University of Arizona’s Washington, D.C. Center for Outreach and Collaboration is the University’s first installation in the National Capital Region.  Ideally situated in DC’s Metro Center area, the new Center is within walking distance of The White House, the Association of American Universities, the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, among other offices of interest.  The Center houses a wide variety of programs including the University’s federal relations team, the National Institute for Civil Discourse (NICD), subject matter experts from our Research, Innovation, and Impact Division, The University of Arizona Applied Research Corporation, the Semester in Washington Presidential Fellowship Program, and a wide variety of other programs.    The Center hosts a robust events program with seamless conversations between the investigators doing groundbreaking education and research in Tucson and around the world, and leaders in Washington. The Center also supports our visiting scientists, stakeholders, and colleagues that enhance our engagement in Washington.

Launched in September 2020, the office of Native American Advancement & Tribal Engagement’s (NAATE) goal is to increase Native American awareness and increase the health and well being of Native American students, faculty, staff and tribal nations.  We recognize and acknowledge the contributions of Native Nations to the University of Arizona community and aim to create a physical space for the Center of Native American Advancement and Tribal Engagement and establish the School of Indigenous Governance and Nation Building.  These initiatives will establish new processes and lead the university to becoming the leading institution serving Native Americans.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Serves as the primary point of contact for all account management duties for assigned units.

• Prepares monthly financial reports and ad-hoc reports for directors/program managers; including complex specialized reports and analyses for internal and external reporting and decision-making purposes.

• Works closely with unit staff in developing department fiscal budgets as well as short-term project budgets. 

• Works closely with and advises unit staff to ensure expenditures are appropriate and within budget limits

• Reviews, approves, and reconciles financial and budget transactions including but not limited to budget transfers, payroll, reimbursement documents, Purchasing cards, requisitions etc.

• Leads the coordination and facilitation of all sponsored accounts' post-award activities including technical and final progress reports submissions, budget revisions, projection and ad-hoc reports, effort reporting, cost sharing, matching and other duties related to terms and conditions of sponsored awards.

• Serves as a resource to ensure compliance with the restrictions and specifications of the sponsor and university in proposals and awards.

• Provides training, education and professional development to faculty and staff in the area of account and grants management and departmental research administration

• Management of conference/event room reservations of the DC Office

• May supervise accounting personnel or other staff members and responsible for reviewing work for accuracy.

•  Other tasks as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must work well with others to take direction but show initiative when appropriate.

• Impeccable attention to detail, superior organization skills, and exceptional written and oral communication skills.

• Results-orientation, organized and resourceful in getting things done, meeting deadlines and anticipating needs.

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience is required.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.