Division Business Manager

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Job Description

The Desert Research Institute (DRI) seeks a highly motivated, well-organized person for the position of Business Manager in the Division of Hydrologic Sciences (DHS); DHS is one of three research divisions at DRI. DRI is the non-profit environmental research campus of the Nevada System of Higher Education with campuses located in Reno and Las Vegas. This on-site position is located at the Reno campus. Occasional travel to DRI’s Las Vegas campus may be required.

The Business Manager reports to and works closely with the Executive Director of DHS as part of a division leadership team. The Business Manager also works directly with faculty, staff, and administration to coordinate the development of grant proposals and contract bids; assists faculty in responding to RFP guidelines; creates budgets; reviews proposal packages for accuracy and compliance; and authorizes and submits final proposals. This position is responsible for pre- and post-award administration of research grants and contracts for the division, and reviews and negotiates their terms and conditions in compliance with DRI and NSHE policy. Project accounts are set up in a grants and contracts database, and expenditures for each project are tracked and authorized by the Business Manager. The position requires preparation and monitoring of sub-awards, requesting contractual amendments from sponsors, and developing recharge rates for specialized service centers as needed. The deadline driven nature of some of the Business Manager’s responsibilities will occasionally require work outside normal business hours.

In addition to sponsored research duties, the Business Manager ensures that divisional operations run efficiently by assisting the Executive Director and division faculty with hiring and employment policies; prepares fiscal year budgets; tracks and authorizes expenditures; and provides analyses, trends, and metrics for division budgets.

The position currently supports approximately 35 faculty members who submit 50+ proposals per year and administers approximately 170 internally funded accounts and 150 externally funded research project accounts with fiscal-year sponsored project expenditures of $21M (for all of DHS). The Business Manager works collaboratively with a DHS Business Manager located in Las Vegas, the Business Managers of the other research divisions, the Sponsored Projects Office, the Human Resources Office, the Financial Services Office and other Administrative Departments to help drive success. The Business Manager supervises the Reno division business staff, which includes a team of 3 employees (Senior Research Administrator and two Program Specialists).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• •Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• •Five (5) years of full-time relevant experience in a sponsored-research environment or business environment, including government, university, or private-sector positions or four (4) years of experience in sponsored research administration with an MBA degree.
• •Excellent interpersonal, organizational, management, and supervisory abilities
• •Strong oral and written communication skills
• •Experience with state and federal governmental grant or contract business administration
• •Experience in cost estimating and budget development and tracking
• •Demonstrated proficiency in Word, Excel, and automated accounting systems
• •Evidence of ability to prioritize and complete multiple tasks within competing time constraints
• •Knowledge of OMB Uniform Guidance and Regulations

• •Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment, while supporting multiple-proposal deadlines and schedules
• •Customer service-oriented leader that thrives in a team environment

• •Two years of direct supervision, including hiring, performance development, and assigning work
• •US Citizenship per sponsor funding requirements

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• •Bachelor’s degree in business administration or accounting or graduate education or certifications in business related fields (e.g., MBA, CRA)
• •Experience with various electronic proposal submissions, including Grants.gov, Research.gov, NSPIRES, etc.
• •Business experience in non-profit or university research environments
• •Proficiency using business management, project tracking, and analysis software (e.g. ARGIS, Workday)
• •Experience with Gantt charts, subaward monitoring, and budget/financial reporting

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• •Due to restricted programs oversight, access, and locations, ALL applicants for this position MUST be citizens of the United States and the incumbent will be subject to work status verification through E-Verify.
• •Employment is contingent upon a successful completion of a background check.
• •Must be able to travel to other DRI and NSHE locations.

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

Since 1959, DRI has stood at the forefront of understanding Earth's complex environmental systems, promoting preservation of diverse ecosystems, advancing responsible natural resource management, and improving human health and welfare throughout Nevada and around the world. Research at DRI calls on the expertise and methods of multiple scientific disciplines. More than 500 highly skilled scientists, engineers, technicians and students are collaboratively focused on understanding and answering critical questions about global climate change, water quality and availability, air quality, sustainability of desert lands, life in extreme environments, and more.

Reno is located at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, just 45 minutes from Lake Tahoe and 4 hours from San Francisco. Reno has four seasons, abundant sunshine, and low humidity. Reno was recently rated one of the best small cities in the US for overall quality of life. Reno offers reasonable commute times, no state income tax, diverse artistic and cultural events, and plentiful opportunities for outdoor recreation.

SALARY

The expected minimum starting salary is $100,000 per year, but is negotiable based on education and experience. This position is eligible for DRI’s benefits package and relocation assistance. See this link for a Faculty benefits overview: https://www.dri.edu/careers/

Exempt

Yes

Full-Time Equivalent

100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

APPLICATION / REVIEW PROCESS

Qualified individuals interested in this position must apply online through DRI’s career page. To ensure full consideration, your application package must include:

• •Completed online faculty application
• •Cover letter detailing how your experience and professional qualifications prepare you to succeed in this DRI role
• •Current resume
• •Contact information for three (3) professional references, to be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process based on applicant permission

Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately and provide all required attachments to receive full consideration. Failure to address each required qualification in the materials will disqualify the candidate from further consideration.

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