Manager of Business Strategy, Athletics

Job Description This position is a key contributor within the Athletics Business Office, focusing on expense management and reporting. The Manager of Business Strategy will be responsible for serving as the financial unit manager for assigned areas within Athletics and Student Recreation, while also having oversight of various areas within the business operation including but not limited to contract management, capital planning, and sport camp financial operations.   

About the Work Unit

Vanderbilt University’s Athletics Department prepares student-athletes to become leaders and champions in life by placing the highest values on integrity, character, sportsmanship and victory. Vanderbilt is a charter member of the Southeastern Conference and is the conference's only private school. The university fields 17 varsity teams (6 men's teams and 11 women's teams), 15 of which compete in the Southeastern Conference.

  Duties and Responsibilities
 

• Review and approve purchase orders, internal transactions, and expense reports for the department.
• Specialize in contract management, serving as the university procurement liaison to direct contract requests appropriately while ensuring university compliance, as well as maintaining proper documentation.
• Play a key contributor role to capital planning and capital spend tracking.
• Serve as primary financial manager of Athletics department camps.
• Build and maintain effective and collaborative relationships with stakeholders throughout the Athletic Department, as well as external partners, including banks and third-party vendors.
• Collaborate with university and department units to develop processing efficiencies and business continuity; identify and pursue opportunities to optimize effectiveness.
• Understand strategic financial plans, including annual operating budgets and capital plans, and the overall impact on Athletics financial, strategic, and operational planning.
• Promote an environment of collaboration, transparency, approachability, and support.
• Consistently anticipate the needs of business partners, collaborating and communicating potential solutions to emerging issues.
• Utilize advanced functions of spreadsheet, database, and presentation software applications.
• Other duties as assigned by the Athletics Chief Business Officer

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with five years or more experience is necessary.
• MBA or related Master’s degree is preferred.
• Prior experience in an Athletics business office is preferred.
• Thorough understanding of NCAA and GAAP accounting systems including purchasing, accounts payable, inventory control, accruals, cost accounting and reporting is strongly preferred.
• Ability to form productive alliances effectively and persuasively with financial and non-financial administrators at all levels of the organization is necessary.
• Exceptional ability to bridge gaps and problem-solve to reach solutions that address the needs of stakeholders is necessary.
• Ability to balance competing priorities is necessary.

 

Key Characteristics of a Successful Team Member in this Work Unit

• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills – collaboration, partnership and change management skills.
• Sophisticated mental agility and the ability to work and/or manage up in a fast-paced, fluid environment.
• Humility and collegiality in the face of adversity and challenge.
• Strong written and oral communications skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with staff, peers, and other university and outside contacts.

 

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

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