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Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, Rensselaer is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and an IBM Quantum One computer - the first university-based quantum computer in the U.S. 

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Job Summary

The Lead Business Administrator will oversee assigned business functions in the School of Engineering. The Lead Business Administrator will be responsible for overseeing financial management of research in the portfolio including building processes and tools to assist faculty and portfolio leadership with planning and forecasting. The Administrator will be responsible for following Institute and sponsor guidelines for spending and budgeting, as well as responsible for preparing complex financial forecasts and reports. The Administrator is also responsible for providing analysis and forecasts for assigned business units, for monitoring education & general, designated, and restricted funds, and for preparation of other specific information, analyses, and reports as required by portfolio leadership and faculty investigators.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance or Accounting
• Five (5) years of professional experience to include 3 years of work experience in the administration, monitoring and management of research and/or other closely related types of restricted funds
• Requires experience with federal and state government regulations as they pertain to research administration

Relevant combinations of education, training and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing the administrative and business functions for a complex university research center or department; including budget preparation, proposal preparation, financial management, and human resources activities 

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of or ability to develop a thorough understanding of Institute and sponsor rules and regulations
• Ability to analyze and interpret reports, documents and statistical data
• Ability to perform budget reporting and forecasting, as well as account reconciliation
• Knowledge of financial software, including spreadsheet, database, and data warehouse applications
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite software applications
• Ability to learn and/or use SCT Banner finance, position control and labor modules or other appropriate applications
• Knowledge of fund-based budgeting in a non-profit setting
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and deadline
• Ability to work as individually or as part of a team
• Attention to detail
• Excellent organizational skills

Shift

Business Hours: Monday - Friday

Starting Salary/Rate

Expected hiring range: $85,000 - 91,500

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Rensselaer is recognized locally and nationally for the depth and breadth of its compensation and benefits program. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).

We welcome candidates who will bring diverse cultural, ethnic, national and international perspectives to Rensselaer’s work and campus communities.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity, Race/Gender/Veterans/Disability Employer.