Administrative Business Manager/S

Position Summary

The Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences (PSM) at Michigan State University is seeking a dynamic, team-oriented leader with creative energy to help foster a culture rooted in community, inclusion, excellence, and strategic growth. The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated expertise in academic business operations and strong communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across a diverse range of individuals, including students, administrative professionals, faculty, and external partners. This individual will be open-minded, forward-thinking, and collaborative in addressing the evolving needs of a department that offers a large undergraduate major, three graduate programs, expanding online graduate and entrepreneurial certificate programs, and a robust externally funded research enterprise. As a key member of the department’s leadership team, the successful candidate will provide high-level administrative support and serve as the administrative staff team leader, directly supervising four staff members and working alongside a team of 12. This position oversees the operational activities of a moderately large and complex academic unit, with responsibility for both short- and long-term planning of fiscal and administrative procedures. The scope of work spans at least two of three core functional areas: human resources, finance, and general business operations.

Key Responsibilities:

General Business Operations

• Serve as a senior management team member, contributing to departmental goals, policies, and procedures.
• Plans, directs and manages budget processes, personnel activities and other administrative functions including exercising responsibility for the management authorization of expenditures and personnel transactions of the department.
• Oversees and coordinates with both human resource team and finance team for the unit.
• Supervise fiscal and human resources staff; conduct annual performance reviews.
• Develop and implement staffing plans; support onboarding and professional development for administrative team members.
• Coordinate workflow and task distribution among main office staff and student employees to ensure efficient operations.
• Meet regularly with administrative staff to assess support needs and recognize areas of excellence.
• Hire, coach, evaluate, and direct professional and support staff.

Finance Operations

• Lead a wide range of fiscal, administrative, and operational matters for the department.
• Serve as the unit Fiscal Officer and financial representative; attend college fiscal meetings and disseminate relevant information to faculty and staff.
• Administer annual budgets across General Fund, AgBioResearch, and MSU Extension funding lines.
• Direct the preparation of University and governmental budget and fiscal reports.
• Provide written reports and presentations on departmental financial health; support budget development and financial reporting needs.
• Collaborate with the college business office and other units to prepare financial and ad hoc reports and projections that meet Federal, State, University, and departmental requirements.
• Monitor and reconcile unit accounts; oversee post-award grant accounts and faculty start-up, royalty, Fee for Service, faculty search reimbursements, and Project GREEEN accounts.
• Act as a resource for financial information and guidance within the unit.
• Disseminate grant funding opportunities to faculty and academic staff, including federal, state, and commodity sources.
• Assist faculty in preparing pre-award budgets and grant application packages, including contracts and gifts.
• Coordinate with the Office of Sponsored Projects to submit proposals, amendments, and no-cost extensions.
• Oversee effort reporting, departmental infrastructure, and equipment requests.

Strategic Planning and Operational Support

• Administer allocations for teaching, research, and outreach activities.
• Serve as unit security administrator to manage access to University electronic systems.
• Coordinate maintenance and renovation of physical facilities.
• Provides guidance and recommendations on promotional activities for the department.
• Conduct case and pilot studies to evaluate business issues using cost-benefit analysis and data-driven decision-making

Policy Development and Data-Informed Decision Making

• Maintain advanced knowledge of ethics laws, standards, and emerging trends affecting organizational practices.
• Apply data, statistics, benchmarks, and HR/business metrics to inform strategic decisions.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures aligned with organizational values and goals

Working Terms and Conditions

This is a full-time (40-hrs/wk) Administrative Professional staff position with an excellent benefits package and the possibility of a hybrid combination of remote and in-person work.  Work will occur in a standard office setting, with typical business hours of operation.

MSU offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, retirement, and tuition assistance.

About the Department

Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences is a leading academic unit within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), comprising 70 faculty members, 86 postdoctoral researchers and staff, approximately 100 graduate students—the largest cohort in CANR—and over 200 undergraduate and certificate students. As a land-grant institution, PSM is committed to serving Michigan through excellence in research, teaching, extension, and outreach. The department is internationally recognized for its expertise in plant breeding, soil science, microbial ecology, plant pathology, weed science, turfgrass science, and cropping system management, and ranks fourth in CANR for extramural competitive funding, excluding commodity and contract-sponsored research. Academic offerings include a B.S. in Crop and Soil Sciences; minors in Agronomy, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, and Turfgrass Management; and three 2-year certificate programs in Agricultural Industries, Golf Turf Management, and Sports and Commercial Turf Management. Graduate degrees are offered in Plant Pathology, Crop and Soil Sciences, Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology, and Global Plant Breeding (online M.S.). PSM’s research spans ecosystem services, disease management, genomics, and food safety, and is conducted in state-of-the-art laboratories, greenhouses, growth chambers, and field research stations. The department emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration to address complex challenges in food production and security, and values its core missions of teaching, research, extension, international engagement, service, and stewardship. PSM fosters a culture where all members feel valued, supported, and inspired to achieve individual and shared goals, and is dedicated to generating new knowledge about plant biology, plant pathogens, and the roles of soils, water, and the environment in promoting sustainable and economically sound agricultural systems.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in a business-related field such as Finance, Business Analytics, Business Management, Accounting, Management, Business Administration or in a field which corresponds to the particular department of employment; eight or more years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in office procedures and administration, or in performing responsibilities related to the operational activities of the employing unit; experience in a supervisory role, including hiring, coaching and evaluating staff; experience with word processing, database, spreadsheet, presentation software and/or desktop publishing, web page software; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Desired Qualifications

• Completion of Essentials of Research Administration (MSU certificate) or equivalent within one year of hire.
• Demonstrated experience in research administration, including pre- or post-award processes.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, complex, and multi-faceted office environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a diverse academic setting.
• Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail.
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and/or desktop publishing software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, OneDrive).
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines effectively.
• Experience working in a higher education setting.
• Eight years or more of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in financial or accounting practices, overseeing budgets, developing research projects, funding and grant practices and/or experience in a field related to the area of employment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of federal and state research funding agencies (e.g., USDA, NSF, NIH, DOE) and the proposal processes.
• Experience with Microsoft Excel, Word, and TEAMS; EBS including KFS, Business Intelligence and Analytics, SAP, and Planning & Budgets; Concur and Grants.gov
• Ability to expertly manage time and deadlines, and juggle multiple competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to exact a high level of professional judgement, independent decision making, excellent communication skills and customer service, strong organizational abilities, and professional attitude.
• Demonstrated potential to lead others.
• Essentials of research administration

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume/CV

Cover Letter

Contact Information for three (3) Professional References 

Special Instructions

Inquiries about the position can be sent to the PSM HR Team (PSM.HR@msu.edu). Incomplete applications will not be considered.  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Bidding eligibility ends November 11, 2025 at 11:55 P.M.