What are the responsibilities and job description for the Business Operations Manager position at Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement?
Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26361 For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Janet Heiss-Arms
jheiss@montana.edu
406-994-3536
Classification Title Admin Assoc IV Working Title Business Operations Manager Brief Position Overview
The Business Operations Manager provides administrative, outreach, and academic support for University Studies.
Position Number 4M0878 Department University Studies Division Office of Academic Affairs Appointment Type Classified Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Non-Exempt Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE FTE 0.75 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary $23.05 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications. Contract Type Classified Salary If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
The Business Operations Manager provides administrative, outreach and communications, and academic support to the Department. Duties include supporting hiring and payroll processes for University Studies programs; developing outreach flyers and ideas; providing budget management and support for the department; assisting the director with enrollment management; and helping coordinate meetings and events.
University Studies is the academic home to exploring and undecided students. University Studies serves over 7000 students each year by providing academic advising to undecided and exploring students as well offering supplemental advising to students within declared majors. University Studies also houses programs and courses that are transdisciplinary and serve students from all majors and colleges. It offers three University Seminar core courses (US 101US, COMX 111US, and HLD 121US) which are taken by over 1500 students each year. Additional academic programs within University Studies include Pre-Law, Health Professions Resource Center, and the Leadership Certificate.
Duties and Responsibilities
Operations Manager
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. The information listed above is representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Position End Date (if temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on April 23, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26361 For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Janet Heiss-Arms
jheiss@montana.edu
406-994-3536
Classification Title Admin Assoc IV Working Title Business Operations Manager Brief Position Overview
The Business Operations Manager provides administrative, outreach, and academic support for University Studies.
Position Number 4M0878 Department University Studies Division Office of Academic Affairs Appointment Type Classified Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Non-Exempt Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE FTE 0.75 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary $23.05 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications. Contract Type Classified Salary If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
The Business Operations Manager provides administrative, outreach and communications, and academic support to the Department. Duties include supporting hiring and payroll processes for University Studies programs; developing outreach flyers and ideas; providing budget management and support for the department; assisting the director with enrollment management; and helping coordinate meetings and events.
University Studies is the academic home to exploring and undecided students. University Studies serves over 7000 students each year by providing academic advising to undecided and exploring students as well offering supplemental advising to students within declared majors. University Studies also houses programs and courses that are transdisciplinary and serve students from all majors and colleges. It offers three University Seminar core courses (US 101US, COMX 111US, and HLD 121US) which are taken by over 1500 students each year. Additional academic programs within University Studies include Pre-Law, Health Professions Resource Center, and the Leadership Certificate.
Duties and Responsibilities
Operations Manager
- Oversees the day-to-day operations of the department.
- Provides administrative support for the Seminar course coordinators, Health Professions Resource Center, Pre-Law Advisor, Leadership Certificate program director, Director, and US faculty
- Oversees property management.
- Provides departmental and program data and implements department head decisions.
- Organizes and coordinates events and meetings, and prepares necessary materials.
- Serves as the first contact person for department hiring and payroll processes.
- Creates and processes various types of appointments for faculty, staff, and students.
- Processes new hire forms, conducts pre-payroll audits, reconciles payroll, and supports timesheet approval.
- Budgets and oversees the state index including main salaries and operations and prepares budgets for departmental programs and initiatives.
- Serves as account manager for purchasing card transactions, including monthly report compilation.
- Serves as departmental liaison with Fiscal Shared Services for the centralized accounting services.
- Makes arrangements for events, conferences, and lectures, including securing facilities, preparing schedules, promoting events, and, where appropriate, arranging for food, lodging, and transportation. This may include participating in events as on-site staff.
- Collaborates with Program Directors to design flyers, share events via online calendars, and post to social media.
- Updates and manages department website.
- Experience with administrative or office management with an emphasis on human resources or budgets, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
- Experience providing customer service.
- Demonstrated competence using personal computers and various software such as word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation, email, and internet. Microsoft Office software preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Skills and experience utilizing software to organize data (e.g., Microsoft Excel), for creative materials (e.g., Canva, Adobe), and/or for student data (e.g., MSU Banner).
- Experience organizing and managing events, and/or prioritizing multiple work assignments, meeting deadlines, and exercising adaptability to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, effective, and professional attitude.
- Experience managing budget records, generating reports, and communicating information effectively to various constituents (student, staff, faculty, executives).
- Knowledge of MSU procedures and policies or previous experience working in an academic department in a higher education setting.
- Possess excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills with the ability to articulate detailed information both verbally and in writing to a wide variety of constituents
- Organize complex workloads, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities
- Work independently and effectively under minimum supervision
- Complete detailed work efficiently while maintaining a high level of accuracy
- Adapt and respond to new situations and administrative needs as they arise
- Manage sensitive situations and complex and confidential information with discretion by applying analytical skills and good judgment
- Work effectively with and appreciate individuals from diverse backgrounds
- Represent University Studies and MSU in a professional and courteous manner
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. The information listed above is representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Position End Date (if temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on April 23, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Salary : $23