MISSISSIPPI BASED RESTORE ACT CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (MBRACE) BUSINESS MANAGER
: Job Details :

Mississippi Based RESTORE Act Center of Excellence (MBRACE) Business Manager

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Mississippi Based RESTORE Act Center of Excellence (MBRACE) Business Manager.

Position Details

LocationGulf Coast Research Laboratory

703 East Beach Drive

Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 39564

United States

Division Coastal Sciences

Position Type Staff

Employment Status Full Time

Grant Funded Yes

Salary Range 48,177.00 - 56,679.00

Pay Grade

E10

Posting Close Date Open until filled

Job Summary

The Mississippi Based RESTORE Act Center of Excellence (MBRACE) is a research grants program and the state of Mississippi's Center of Excellence under the RESTORE Act Center of Excellence Research Grants Program. MBRACE was designated in 2016 and its mission is to seek sound comprehensive science-and technology-based understanding of the chronic and acute stressors on the dynamic and productive waters and ecosystems of the northern Gulf of Mexico, and to facilitate sustainable use of the Gulf's important resources. As a grants program, MBRACE funds research to support its mission, and to date, the Center has funded more than $7M in projects to understand oyster reefs and their sustainability and water quality along the Mississippi coast. MBRACE is hiring a Business Manager to oversee all budgetary and business-related matters of the Center, manage daily financial activities, and support long-term financial success of the Center.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

+ Direct all financial management for the Mississippi Based RESTORE Act Center of Excellence (MBRACE), including MBRACE's operating budget, accounting, purchasing, and business planning and management, management of pre- and post-award processes and coordination with MBRACE organizational units, financial coordinators, PIs, research administration staff at MBRACE-funded institutions, and the funding agency. Oversee all personnel and contracting processes for the MBRACE directorate. Track spending of MBRACE awarded research projects, including several subcontracts and internal peel-offs.

+ Provides program/project management, with specific tasks including, but not limited to: providing budgetary reports to the MBRACE Director and other members of MBRACE staff, managing and tracking payroll, reconciling and projecting budgets, time and effort reporting and assist with financial reporting coordinating equipment purchases to include sole source and bid packages, assisting principal investigators with travel arrangements and reimbursements.

+ Coordinates procurement activities for the research programs including procurement card and purchase order purchases for faculty and staff. Coordinates Personal Services Agreements and other contractual agreements to meet project/program objectives.

+ Communicates internally with the Office of Research Administration (ORA), externally with state, federal and private agencies, and subaward institutions on current standing of assigned projects.

+ Coordinate and collaborate internally with USM ORA to review and approve proposal budgets, amendments, budget revisions, subaward invoices, agency pay request, no cost extensions, and assisting in other project management paperwork as needed to ensure financial processes meet sponsor requirements and align with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

+ Coordinate with other entities internal to USM concerning budgetary matters, and coordinate with external clients such as State partners and the Center's Advisory Groups such as the External Advisory Group (EAG) and the Executive Steering Committee (ESC), prepares and negotiates professional service contracts for the Center activities.

+ Oversee all financial records for internal peel-offs and research subawards by reconciling and balancing financial records and coordinating invoicing for all research subawards.

+ Participate in development, implementation, and maintenance of policies and short- and long-term planning for the Center, and evaluate and provide recommendations to improve Center operational efficiency.

+ Assist with proposal budget development for long-term growth of the Center.

+ Remains current on federal grant and contracting compliance requirements and participates in the MBRACE Directorate and Coastal Ops Finance Administration meetings.

+ Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or a related field from an accredited college or university with at least 4 years of experience in related to the duties required, or any combination of education and experience approved by Human Resources. The successful candidate should be interested in working at the interface of science, management, and policy, and with a variety of stakeholders to support the advancement of research.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

+ Strong organization skills and detail oriented

+ Able to effectively manage their time

+ Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative, group setting

+ Proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite, including Teams and OneDrive, familiar with different types of conference software such as Zoom and Google Meet

Preferred Qualifications

An M.A. or M.S. degree or higher from an accredited college, and interest in working at the interface of science, management, and policy, and with a variety of stakeholders to support the advancement of research.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Since our founding in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation's leading research institutions.

Southern Miss is known for pioneering work in polymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringing language to children with communication disorders. We are also a national leader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography, nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.

We produce graduates ready to enter fields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs such as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We're developing the next generation of business leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages by producing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition of excellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nation accredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, our student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion and persistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer/Americans with Disabilities Act institution, The University of Southern Mississippi encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.