Business Manager

Who we are

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ↗︎

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world. 

With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth. 

Job Summary

The Business Manager is responsible for managing the business operations of the Graduate Education portfolio, including finance, budgeting, grant administration, academic support, and policy interpretation. The Business Manager will represent the School on business affairs to the Rensselaer Community and will serve as a resource to faculty and staff to ensure consistent administrative and operational practices that comply with Institute policies. The Business Manager actively participates in the short and long range financial and strategic planning of the portfolio.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in budget administration, monitoring, and management; including, research and/or other restricted funds
  • Experience to include at least two (2) years of management and supervisory experience

Relevant combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
• Experience in a higher education or research setting
• Familiarity with federal and state government regulations as they relate to research administration

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to analyze and interpret reports, documents, and statistical data
• Ability to prepare budget reports and forecasts and perform account reconciliations
• Knowledge of financial software, including spreadsheet, database, and data warehouse applications; proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to learn and use SCT Banner finance, position control, and labor modules, or other comparable systems
• Knowledge of fund-based budgeting in a nonprofit environment
• Demonstrated supervisory skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills

Job Duties

• Monitor all financial activity within the portfolio to ensure financial soundness and compliance with Institute financial and administrative policies. Serve as the central point of contact for all financial and administrative activities within the portfolio.

• Maintain in-depth knowledge of the portfolio’s strategic plans and the alignment between budgets, activities, and the RPI Forward Plan. Supervise the maintenance and reporting of metrics and ensure departmental budgets support approved portfolio and Institute strategic objectives.

• Oversee the preparation and maintenance of operating budgets to forecast financial needs and support planning efforts. Assist the Dean in planning and managing all funds, including endowment, gift, designated, and capital project funds. Provide oversight to ensure gifts, endowments, and grants are expended in accordance with applicable requirements.

• Provide Institute and portfolio leadership with timely financial information regarding fund balances prior to commitments. Evaluate the appropriateness of expenditures based on fund restrictions and ensure all funding limitations are clearly communicated and adhered to.

• Utilize enterprise-wide systems to develop, manage, analyze, and control budgets and other complex financial data to enhance forecasting and strategic business and operational planning. Use systems to support surveys and reports related to graduate