Business Administrator 1

Department: SoC Administration
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Target hiring range for this position will be between $60,000-$65,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Job Summary:

Administers operational, financial, & business functions in support of the area/unit's mission & in coordination with central offices such as HR, Budget, Facilities, IT, & Provost. Implements existing policy & ensures the effective, compliant, & efficient completion of daily administrative operations. May represent business area on internal &/or external administrative affairs by exchanging information.

Please note: Standard office hours. Role may be done in a hybrid environment, with the expectation that they are onsite 3 days per week.

Supervisor provides objectives & deadlines. Work is reviewed for fulfillment of objective & deadlines & overall compliance with policy & procedures. EE completes some activities without direction, informing supervisor only of potentially controversial matters, &/or far-reaching implications.

Specific Responsibilities:

Areas of Responsibility:

• Budget & Financial
• Facilities & Safety
• Faculty Support
• Human Resources
• IT Services

Work Complexity:

• EE uses some judgment to adapt an advanced knowledge of skills, methods, practices, policies &/or procedures & a moderate degree of innovation, analysis & reasoning to complete work that is somewhat project oriented & involves some complex problems &/or decisions.
• EE administers policy.

Budget & Financial

• Directly responsible for payroll, purchasing, travel & entertainment (T&E) transactions & requesting new chart strings using NU protocol.
• Ensures prompt payment of invoices, researching errors/delayed transactions.
• Monitors open encumbrances & deficit chart strings.
• Level I NU Financials approver.
• Reviews & reconciles actual expenses to budget per NU Audit guidelines

Facilities & Safety:

• Monitors area facilities conditions & directs requests to Facilities Management using FAMIS
• Brings requests for building & space improvements to attention of management.
• Completes appropriate section of annual SIMS survey following NU protocol.
• Participates in communication of area safety plan.

Faculty Support

• Initiates HRIS appointment paperwork.

Human Resources:

• Maintains excellent working relationship with Office of Human Resources

IT Services:

• Acts as liaison to IT to ensure technology systems are properly installed & maintained.
• Appropriates necessary hardware, software & network infrastructure services from central or internal IT.
• Issues work order requests for maintenance, repairs & upgrades.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, local & NU laws, regulations, policies & procedures

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as business, accounting or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.

• 2 years' administrative experience including budgets, finance, grants, facilities, &/or human resources; or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Communication: Clearly and professionally communicates information verbally and in writing; demonstrates active listening.

• Attention to Detail: Accurately completes tasks, reviews work for errors, and follows established processes.

• Time Management: Prioritizes multiple tasks, meets deadlines, and adapts to changing needs.

• Organization: Manages information, documents, schedules, and workflows efficiently.

• Technology Proficiency: Comfortable using MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook), databases, and enterprise systems.

• Customer/Client Service: Responds promptly and respectfully to faculty, staff, students, and external partners.

• Problem Solving: Identifies issues, gathers information, and collaborates to implement solutions.

• Teamwork/Collaboration: Engages productively with colleagues across units and central offices.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or a related field

• Experience in a university, educational, or not-for-profit environment

• Familiarity with budgeting, financial reporting, procurement, and HR processes

• Experience with working in a cross-functional environment

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Financial Acumen: Understands basic budgeting, reconciliations, purchasing, and expense review. Experience reviewing and reconciling financial activity to ensure accuracy and adherence to institutional policies, audit guidelines, and best practices.

• Project Coordination: Plans and manages small projects, tracks milestones, and ensures completion.

• Process Improvement Orientation: Identifies opportunities to streamline workflows and improve service quality.

• Initiative: Takes proactive steps to address tasks, anticipate needs, and resolve problems independently.

• Adaptability: Maintains effectiveness amid shifting priorities, academic cycles, or operational demands.

• Data Management: Maintains accurate records and uses data for reporting or problem solving.

• Systems Orientation: Experience working with enterprise administrative systems, and the ability to learn new systems quickly.

• Compliance Mindset: Demonstrated experience administering purchasing and procurement processes in accordance with institutional policies and procedures.

• Professionalism & Discretion: Handles confidential information with integrity and judgment.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.