Business Operations and Finance Manager

The Business Operations and Finance Manager serves as the senior administrative and financial manager for the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this position provides strategic oversight of the Center’s fiscal management, administrative operations, and business systems.

With direction from the Executive Director, this manager leads financial planning, budgeting, and operations to ensure the Center’s growth and long-term sustainability continue. This position also serves as a member of the NCEL executive leadership team, advising the Executive Director and Institute for Public Service (IPS) leadership on fiscal strategy, business operations, compliance, and various performance improvement initiatives.

About the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership

The University of Tennessee’s Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership (NCEL), a division of the Institute for Public Service (IPS), is dedicated to developing, inspiring, and equipping leaders who serve the State of Tennessee. NCEL delivers high-impact leadership development programs to local, state, and federal government professionals and partners with public and private sector organizations to strengthen Tennessee’s leadership capacity across all 95 counties.

• Provide strategic leadership in financial management, forecasting, and long-term fiscal planning.
• Direct and integrate all business operations, including accounting, purchasing, contracting, grants management, human resources coordination, information technology, and logistics.
• Develop and monitor budgets, oversee financial reporting, and ensure compliance with university, state, and federal regulations.
• Supervise and develop staff, fostering a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a key member of the NCEL leadership team, contributing to strategy, resource allocation, and organizational decision-making.
• Provide expert consultation on financial and administrative matters to internal and external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Education:  Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or Consumer Science, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, budgeting, or administrative operations.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 
  • Knowledge of accounting, budget management, and financial analysis.
  • Proven leadership and supervisory skills, with the ability to inspire and develop staff.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Expertise in compliance, reporting, and policy interpretation.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present financial data clearly to executive leadership.
  • Commitment to integrity, collaboration, and the mission of public service.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree  
• Experience: 
  • Experience in higher education, public sector, or nonprofit financial management.
  • Experience managing grants, contracts, and complex budgets.
  • Familiarity with enterprise resource planning systems.
  • CPA, CGFM, or equivalent professional certification preferred.

Work Location:

• Location: Knoxville, TN (UT Institute for Public Service)

The Institute for Public Service (IPS) supports a formal Alternative Work Arrangement program currently in place and more information can be provided if candidate progresses through the recruitment process.

 
Benefits  

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions 

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before September 1, 2026.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References 

About The College/Department/Division 

The UT Institute for Public Service provides outreach and assistance to all of Tennessee. Through our agencies and initiatives, we offer technical assistance, training and consulting on a wide variety of services, including government operations, language services, law enforcement excellence, leadership training, manufacturing excellence, opioid abatement and much more.