Business Support Specialist

Join a Mission-Driven Team Shaping the Future of Health Sciences

At Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences (DMU), every role contributes to a bigger purpose: advancing medicine, health sciences, and the communities we serve. We’re seeking a Business Support Specialist (BSS)—a highly motivated professional who thrives on variety, independence, and meaningful collaboration. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President & CFO, this position plays a pivotal role in supporting core business and finance operations, while also coordinating projects that touch everything from facilities management and dining services to the campus store.

The BSS is more than just support—it’s a strategic partner. You’ll work closely with the Executive Leadership Team offices, manage communications with external stakeholders, serve as administrator for the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees, and provide key backup for contracts and insurance functions. This role requires a sharp, proactive thinker with strong organizational and communication skills, ready to navigate complex issues and help drive DMU’s mission forward.

What you’ll do:

• Assist CFO in management of contracts for services including facilities management, dining services, and campus store functions. Management includes university procedures, projects, and internal/external website content.
• Manage daily operations of dining services and campus store on operational efficiencies and needs and to bridge external corporate leadership and DMU leadership resulting in quality services to campus including regular meetings with the on-site directors. Monitor day-to-day operations, communications, and reports in accordance with contracts, including annual subsidy. Shall serve as the contact for DMU employees to assist with problem-solving and efficiencies, and provide assistance as liaison between facilities management, dining services and campus store staff and DMU employees.
• Shall serve as liaison between campus store staff and DMU employees. Manage to assure apparel, branding, and campus store on-line presence aligns with Marketing and Communications’ initiatives and branding guidelines. Manage budget related to equipment and apparel for academic programs.
• Serve as liaison for furniture purchases, office redesigns, and repairs.
• Serve as the administrator for the Business and Finance department.
• Independently coordinate projects assigned by CFO and collaborate with project team members. Includes serving as project manager for Business and Finance department projects.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field required.
• Three (3) years of administrative experience in a professional environment required.
• Three (3) years of experience as an executive administrator or experience in a financial/accounting environment a plus.
• Management experience a plus.
• Project management skills a plus.
• General financial/accounting experience a plus.
• Project leadership and/or project management certificate a plus.
• Work extended and/or flexible hours as required or requested approximately ten percent of the time.

*To see the full job description go to Position Description at the bottom of this posting.

Total Rewards:

Our employees are what make DMU special, so we treat them well!  Our Total Rewards reflect this commitment. Qualified faculty and staff enjoy a generous employer contribution towards the medical plan, 10% retirement match, flexible work arrangements, community service time, tuition assistance, professional development funding, and access to wellness facilities with programs that promote a well-balanced lifestyle. Visit www.dmu.edu/employment to learn more about our benefits. 

DMU is proud to offer employees generous benefits and perks, paid time off, free use of wellness facilities, and a host of employee engagement and recognition programs throughout the year.

The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $85,000, depending on experience.

About:

Founded in 1898, Des Moines University is a premier medical and health sciences institution comprising three colleges– College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, and College of Health Sciences – offering ten graduate degree programs.

Our mission is to improve lives in our global community by educating diverse groups of highly competent and compassionate health professionals.

It is an exciting time to join DMU. In 2023, we relocated our primary academic and operational offices to a new 88-acre campus in West Des Moines, Iowa