Department Business Administrator

The Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism seeks to hire an experienced Department Business Administrator to support its schoolwide finance team. The ideal candidate will be a detail-oriented professional with strong analytical and organizational skills, capable of managing complex budgets and ensuring compliance with university policies. This role offers an opportunity to contribute to a dynamic academic environment and play a key part in supporting the financial health and strategic goals of the School.

Job Accountabilities:

• Administers the business function of a large administrative, auxiliary or academic department. Processes daily transactions, prepares financial reports for internal and external distribution. May supervise staff.

• Administers unrestricted account budgets. Plans and develops short and long-term budgets. Provides projections and forecasts and analyzes financial impacts. Analyzes actual versus budget performance to determine variances. Takes corrective action, as required.

• Administers internal financial policies and procedures. Ensures department's compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, as well as university financial policies and procedures.

• Assists in determining that strong internal controls are implemented in such areas as maintaining and reviewing receipts, procurement, disbursements, payroll, etc.

• Administers personnel and payroll functions for department. Coordinates affirmative action, employment, compensation, benefits and employee relations with appropriate Personnel Services staff and department administrators or Dean's Office. Ensures timely and accurate processing of payroll. Coordinates faculty appointments and promotions, as assigned. 

• Assists in strategic planning activities, as assigned. Researches and compiles data required for development of assumptions, projections and strategies. Monitors action plans, implements changes, as required.

• Provides regular and special financial reports, as required for department's operations.

• Develops, enhances and maintains information systems to support financial operations. Ensures that internal systems complement university-wide systems and that information is reconciled on a regular basis.

• Administers contracts, grants, and gifts. Establishes budgets, monitors and reports on expenses. Interacts with university contract administrators and agency 5
  representatives to provide information, resolve questions or problems and coordinate on-site visits.

• Other duties may be assigned at the direction of the supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Workday Finance

Applications should be submitted via the USC Careers page and must include the following:

• Resume or CV
• Cover letter

Additional Information:

• This is a full-time (37.5 hour/week), hybrid, hourly staff position. 

• The hourly range for this position is $45.25 - 46.67. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

• Job openings are posted for a minimum of (5) five business days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.

• USC has excellent benefits, including health and dental benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans; tuition benefits for staff and their family; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, transit subsidy program, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

About the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Located in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California, the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism is a national leader in education and scholarship in the fields of communication, journalism, public diplomacy and public relations. With an enrollment of more than 2,200 students, USC Annenberg offers doctoral, master's and bachelor's degree programs, as