College Business Manager - Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University (NDSU) is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative College Business Manager to lead the Business Center operations for the College of Business. This position plays a critical role in financial stewardship, budgeting, human resources coord ...

Job description

North Dakota State University (NDSU) is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative College Business Manager to lead the Business Center operations for the College of Business. This position plays a critical role in financial stewardship, budgeting, human resources coordination, and strategic planning across the college and its departments.

Description & Details:

The College Business Manager oversees the Business Center, which is responsible for managing all financial, budgetary, payroll, and human resource operations for the college. This role serves as a key strategic partner to the Dean and works closely with the Provost Budget Office, Accounting Services Center, and other central administrative units.

Key Responsibilities:

Budget & Financial Management

• Lead budgeting, financial reporting, financial commitments, and monitoring of all funding sources, including appropriated, local, grant, contract, and foundation funds
• Provide projections, annual budget development, and financial analysis to support long-term planning
• Ensure compliance with all NDSU and grant/contract financial policies
• Oversee monthly financial reporting and complex forecasting

Human Resources & Payroll

• Manage payroll and personnel activities for faculty, staff, students, temporary employees, and graduate assistants
• Oversee salary adjustments and HR/payroll form processing
• Support grant reporting and federal compliance in coordination with Grant & Contract Accounting
• Maintain staffing and contract data for accreditation and reporting needs

Strategic Leadership & Supervision

• Supervise and guide Business Coordinators
• Develop and execute strategies that ensure high-quality customer service and efficient business operations
• Serve as the primary contact for budget and accounting matters within the college
• Foster continuous process improvement and ensure adherence to university policies

Work Schedule:

40 hours a week, Monday through Friday 8AM-5PM, 7:30AM-4PM during breaks and summer

Hiring Range:

Commensurate with experience

Pay is based on several factors, including budget, labor market, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and/or certification and other business considerations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a Business Field (Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration) or an Associate's degree combined with 5+ years of equivalent related work experience
• 5+ years of progressively related financial/budget management experience within a complex organization. This must include hands-on experience with financial processes, planning, analysis, reporting, and budget management.
• Ability to develop multi-year projections, perform financial forecasting, and resolve issues while meeting deadlines
• 2+ years of supervisory or leadership experience with the capability to work with and motivate others
• Strong analytical skills, advanced Microsoft Excel and Word proficiency, and strong communication abilities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or higher in Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting; or CPA or CMA
• 2+ years experience in a higher education setting
• 3+ years experience with ERP systems

Applicant Materials Required:

• Cover letter addressing how required qualifications are met
• Resume
• Contact information for 3 professional references

Our commitment to caring for our employees isn't just words—it's proven. In NDSU's most recent Gallup Engagement Survey, our strengths centered on care and development. "My supervisor, or someone at work, cares about me as a person" and "I have the opportunities to learn and grow",were noted as top drivers. This reflects the culture you'll experience here.

NDSU OFFERS OUTSTANDING BENEFITS

Join a workplace that invests in your well-being, your future, and your success.

Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:

Health & Wellness

• 100% employer-paid health insurance premiums for single and family coverage
• Choice of PPO/Basic or High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
• Coverage begins the first of the month after your hire date
• Wellness incentives for healthy lifestyle participation

Exceptional Retirement Plan

• Employer retirement contributions ranging from 7.5% up to an impressive 12.26%, depending on position
  
  (One of the strongest retirement packages in the region) - Your future is a priority, and it shows.

Time Away & Support

• Generous annual leave, sick leave, and 10 paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program for confidential support
• Supportive work-life balance

Education Benefits That Grow With You

• Tuition waivers for employees (up to three classes per calendar year)
• 50% tuition waiver for spouse/partner and dependents

Additional Optional Benefits

• Supplemental Life, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Care
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health & Dependent Care)
• Supplemental Retirement Plans

Explore Full Benefit Details:

Benefits | Human Resources | NDSU

About Us:

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.

NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country.

NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live.

NDSU is committed to fostering a community where differences are recognized as strengths. Rooted in our land-grant mission, we work together to meet the needs of North Dakota and its communities through education, research and outreach.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable. Direct inquiries to: Vice Provost, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Old Main 201, NDSU Main Campus, Fargo, ND, 58108, ,

No Smoking Notice:

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. §

Veteran's Preference Notice:

This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran's Preference requirements.

Reasonable Accommodation Information:

North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at or