Job Description Summary
Organization's Summary Statement:
The Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC) business office is looking to fill a Business Manager positions. The Business Manager is responsible for assisting the Director of Finance and Administration and the Assistant Directors with day to day operations of the ESSIC federally sponsored awards (Grants and Cooperative Agreements) financial oversight, proposal preparation, and administrative support. The Business Manager will work as a liaison to the management of the ESSIC Business Office, funding agencies, Partners outside of the University as well as the units throughout campus, including the Office of Research Administration.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Efficiently manage and maintain 30+ sponsored award (UMD as Prime) activities for department, including initiating Task Account setup process, performing monthly tracking of all contract and subaward invoicing and payments, modifications and close-outs for all sponsored projects and
contracts.
Reconcile all non-sponsored accounts monthly, providing budget reports to administrative leads and meeting with these leads to answer questions, update projections and help with funding concerns as appropriate.
Process cost transfers for assigned grants.
Process financial transactions; including, but not limited to, setting up of purchase orders, processing vendor payments, creating and sending invoices, processing reimbursements, procurement goods, etc.
Ensure proper recording of expenses and e-filing of transaction documents for appropriate account reconciliation.
Manage grants, creating new budgets when needed, closing old accounts when appropriate.
Manage the Procurement and Travel Card request processes by reviewing all P-Card and T-Card transactions, ensuring compliance with deadlines and regulations, and maintaining accurate and complete documentation.
Track grant deadlines for grant lifecycle and reporting. Coordinate grant review meetings between the PI and Business Manager for external funding meetings.
Responsible for initial worktag set up and modifications, setting up budget in BA Priority system, and creating digital and/or paper grant folder.
Preparation of sponsored research proposals for the department, working directly with the Proposal Manager and Professional Track Faculty (PTK) to develop research proposals, including preparing budgets and other cost estimates, collating subaward documents, and handling non-technical
documents.
Ensure all aspects of proposal development and budgets comply with sponsor, federal, and UMD regulations.
Enter proposals into electronic submission platforms, including but not limited to Kuali Research, NSPIRES, and Grants.gov Workspace.
Support the Proposal Manager in maintaining internal proposal tracking systems and communications with the Office of Research Administration (ORA).
Meet regularly with supervisor to maintain and communicate ongoing updates. Other duties as assigned.
Physical Demands:
Office environment setting with majority of time spent working at a computer. Ability to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Repetitive motions, which include substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Required close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing computer terminals, extensive reading. Light lifting of materials and supplies, less than 10 lbs. Ability to move about campus to attend meetings/events.
Licenses/ Certifications:
N/A
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience: Three (3) years of professional grants, finance, or accounting experience.
Other: Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
Knowledge of grants related policies and procedures, and federal, state, and other applicable related laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace products.
Ability to multitask and prioritize assignments.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
Additional Job Details
Preferences:
- Experience with Priority BA, Workday and Concur.
- Familiarity with UMD administrative systems, policies, and procedures is desired.
- Experience with Workday or similar enterprise resource planning systems preferred
- Prior experience in higher education, particularly at the University of Maryland, is strongly preferred
- Knowledge of grant writing, administration, and compliance with sponsor requirements
- Experience with budget management and financial reporting
- Experience with procurement systems and purchasing procedures
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in financial record-keeping
- Interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse constituencies
Required Application Materials:
1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. List of Three (3) Reference Contacts
Best Consideration Date: April 10, 2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
Job Risks
Financial Disclosure Required
Yes
Department
CMNS-Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center
Worker Sub-Type
Staff Regular
Salary Range
$75,680 - $80,500
For more information on Regular Exempt benefits, select this link.
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment Eligibility
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
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