Manager of Operations, Campus Business Services

Job Summary

The Business, Finance and Infrastructure division at CU Boulder welcomes applications for the Manager of Operations, Campus Business Services position! Campus Business Services (CBS) is a shared services team within the Business, Finance and Infrastructure unit that provides financial and business support services, guidance, and resources to campus departments. The team supports departments in fiscal administration, business operations, procurement, and expense administration. By providing transactional support and implementing guidelines for crucial financial and business operations, CBS-supported departments can make informed, strategic decisions at every level. This improves impact, upholds fiscal responsibility, and contributes to the university's ongoing success.

This position serves as the operational lead for the CBS team, providing oversight in the management of staff and operations, researching policy and compliance issues, and implementing efficiencies. Through these efforts, the position supports the continued development and implementation of an integrated shared services model designed to provide comprehensive financial transactional and business support across the campus community.

In addition to day-to-day operational oversight, this position provides higher-level financial management support to departments served by CBS - including budget development, rate development analysis, variance tracking, and spend projection - equipping departments to plan and manage their finances effectively.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

Business, Finance and Infrastructure (BFI) works to ensure the University of Colorado Boulder has a strategic, systematic, and comprehensive approach to all areas of resource planning and management. Our staff provide financial and physical resource support at all levels to advance the University’s mission. BFI is led by the Senior Vice Chancellor for Finance and Business. The senior vice chancellor reports to the CU Boulder Chancellor.

BFI UNITS

• Auxiliary Services: Children's Center | CU Book Store | Imaging Services | Parking and Transportation
• Budget and Finance: Office of AVC Budget and Finance | Budget & Fiscal Planning | Campus Business Services | Campus Controller’s Office
• Business Strategy: Business Strategy Office | Real Estate Services
• Infrastructure and Resilience: Office of VC Infrastructure and Resilience | Environmental Health & Safety | Facilities Management | I&R Business Services | I&R Sustainability | Planning, Design and Construction

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Operational Management and Service Delivery

• Oversees staff execution of financial transaction and business support work, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and compliance across all supported departments.
• Maintains and ensures adherence to CBS's established standards and procedures for financial and business transactions.
• Advises on compliance with university policies and regulatory requirements; serves as point of escalation when compliance issues arise.
• Applies internal control principles to design, implement, and assess CBS processes, identifying control gaps and recommending corrective action.
• Delivers and maintains staff training; manages the day-to-day alignment of work across the team.
• Serves as reviewer and approver of financial and business transactions, including review of journal entries, reconciliations, expense reports, requisitions, and monthly close activities prepared by staff.
• Safeguards the confidentiality and security of critical financial and student data in accordance with university policy and applicable regulations (e.g., FERPA, PCI).
• Provides guidance to staff in the production, analysis, and communication of financial data and processes.
• Maintains successful relationships with campus and system partners and with the campus departments CBS serves.
• Analyzes data metrics to assess departmental and CBS performance, identify areas for improvement, and recommend refinements to existing processes and standards.
• Develops, implements, and analyzes operational goals and customer satisfaction benchmarks for Campus Business Services and reports on these to the Director.

Financial Analysis and Planning Support

• Provides higher-level financial management support to departments, including complex reconciliations, financial analysis, and forecasting.
• Leads the creation of monthly financial reports including the manipulation of data, troubleshooting, analyzing projections and making recommendations to departments.
• Supports budget development by identifying current and future budget needs.
• Monitors financial reports and tracks departmental spending to make sure expenses are within the budgeted allowance.
• Analyzes rate development and tracks variances to advise departmental and CBS budget decisions.

Liaison and Special Projects

• Liaises with the Campus Controller’s Office (CCO) and Budget and Fiscal Planning (BFP) to coordinate training and the implementation of resources across campus.
• Manages special projects ensuring that project deadlines and outcome goals are met.
• Participates in campus-wide committees and working groups as assigned.

Leadership and Supervision

• Provides leadership, supervision, and training for financial professionals including recruitment, employee development, personnel issues and performance evaluations honoring the diverse and demanding needs of very distinct business units.
• Provides cross-training and backup coverage across the team to ensure continuity of approvals and critical functions.
• Actively works to develop and maintain a culture of service, support, innovation, continuous improvement, and employee development.

Professional Development

• Participates in workshops, seminars and training programs to stay current with proven strategies and emerging trends.
• Seeks mentorship and coaching to refine interpersonal and team leadership skills.
• Stays informed about industry trends, regulatory changes, and technological advancements relevant to higher education finance and business services.

What You Should Know

• Hybrid work schedule with 1-2 days in the office per week but can be subject to change.

What We Can Offer

• The annual salary range is $95,000 - $115,000.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be strategic. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• 3+ years of progressively responsible experience in fiscal management, business analysis, and/or financial modeling at a large, complex organization.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
• Financial and administrative systems proficiency.

What You Will Need

• Comfortable working cross-functionally and collaboratively across departments.
• Possess exceptional oral, written, and communication skills.
• Have the ability to address a wide variety of audiences.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to execute on multiple priorities under time constraints.
• Proven ability as a collaborator and problem solver with staff and department partners.
• Demonstrated strong customer orientation.
• Collaborative, team-oriented leadership style, good judgement in recognizing and assessing where day-to-day improvements are needed.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of internal control principles.
• Experience related to financial forecasts and cash flows.

What We Would Like You to Have

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in business, management, public/higher education administration, or a comparable discipline.
• 2+ years of supervisory experience related to finance staff oversight.
• Experience in a higher education, nonprofit, or public organization setting, either directly employed or as a partner/service provider to the sector.
• Ability to evaluate internal controls and understand organizational risk, implementing appropriate policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Experience managing conflict and skills necessary to bring parties with disparate views toward mutually beneficial outcome.
• Demonstrated experience with financial monitoring, compliance, and operational process improvement within an existing system or structure.
• Experience with applicable systems (e.g., Concur, PeopleSoft, Cognos, Anaplan).

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by September 16, 2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu