Business Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Associate Vice Provost for Finance and Administration, the Business Specialist serves as a key member of the Office of the Provost, providing project management, faculty compensation and personnel administration, and policy support for the division of Academic Affairs.

This position coordinates and approves a variety of hiring, appointment, compensation, travel, and reimbursement actions, ensuring compliance with university policies, procedures, and applicable State regulations. The Business Specialist drafts, implements and maintains administrative policies and processes, while identifying opportunities to improve operational effectiveness and consistency across academic units. The position works closely with campus partners and senior leadership to provide guidance on personnel matters, travel and business meal policies, and other complex administrative processes in support of division-wide initiatives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management:

• Supports division-wide projects, ongoing assignments, and cyclical processes by developing timelines, coordinating communications, monitoring progress, and evaluating outcomes.
• Identifies, develops, and implements process improvements related to personnel actions, appointments, compensation, and other administrative workflows to enhance efficiency, consistency, and compliance.
• Collaborates with campus partners to address complex operational issues and provide process improvement support related to Human Resources, Payroll, Tax, Accounts Payable, and other administrative functions.

Faculty Compensation and Appointment Administration:

• Reviews, tracks and approves routine division-wide faculty overload compensation.
• Coordinates and processes appointment and compensation actions for Directors, Deans, Vice Provosts, and other direct reports to the Provost, ensuring compliance with applicable policies and management-exempt employee guidelines.
• Independently provides policy guidance for faculty administrators, emeritus, and gratis appointments within Academic Affairs, including Department Heads, Associate Deans, Faculty Directors, and other academic leadership positions.

Personnel Support:

• Reviews and approves division-wide special payroll appointments, including re-employed retirees, in accordance with university policies and procedures; elevates complex or non-routine cases as appropriate.
• Independently reviews and approves requests for searches and offers within the applicant tracking system, ensuring compliance with established procedures and elevating complex or non-routine cases as appropriate.
• Supports communications related to personnel actions and processes with academic and administrative stakeholders.
• Develops and maintains internal guidance and reference materials to promote consistency across academic units and support compliance with personnel procedures.
• Compiles, reviews, and analyzes academic personnel data to support operational planning, personnel administration, and leadership decision-making.
• Assists with the review and preparation of appointment actions for faculty and staff.

Financial and HR Policy and Procedures Support:

• Serves as a resource on university travel, relocation, recruitment, business meals, and faculty compensation policies and procedures by maintaining a thorough understanding of applicable institutional policies, guidelines, and administrative requirements.
• Collaborates with campus partners, including Budget and Planning, Payroll, Tax and Compliance, Human Resources, Accounts Payable, and other administrative offices, to ensure consistent interpretation and application of policies and procedures.
• Reviews and approves routine travel and reimbursement requests for direct reports to the Provost, ensuring compliance with university policies and documentation requirements.
• Reviews and approves division-wide business meals, providing policy interpretation and procedural guidance as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of related experience.
• Experience working in an administrative capacity.
• Demonstrated organizational and problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated written communication skills.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite applications, particularly Word, Excel, and Outlook.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resource Management or a related field.
• Experience working in a higher education setting.
• Experience in workforce planning, including managing the hiring or compensation process.
• Experience in project management and coordination.
• Demonstrated previous experience handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Demonstrated familiarity with applicant tracking systems, personnel databases, or customer relationship management software, including Page Up, Kuali Financial Data Mart, or similar programs.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, confidential, staff position. The salary range for this position is $67,000–$77,000 annually. Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at Faculty and Staff Positions, Search #499664 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

This job posting is open until filled.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disabilities, veteran’s status, status as a victim of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and/or trafficking in persons as defined by Connecticut law, prior conviction of a crime, workplace hazards to the reproductive systems, or gender identity or expression.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer including for Disability and Veteran status.