Director, Business Operations (Athletics)

Position Function:

The Director of Business Operations for Athletics provides leadership and management of day-to-day financial operations supporting the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. This position serves as a key liaison for sports and administrative units, oversees financial processing and reconciliation tasks, and manages student and intern staff. The role emphasizes operational oversight, system process improvements, and strategic support of athletic department financial functions in coordination with the Athletic Business Office.

Salary Grade :  15

Please see Staff Compensation Structure for salary ranges.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the preparation and management of budgets for assigned sports and administrative units.
• Oversee ProCard processing and reconciliation, including the development and implementation of automated workflows to improve efficiency and compliance.
• Manage petty cash processing and reconciliation, ensuring proper controls and accuracy.
• Supervise administrative operations for student and intern staff, including hiring, scheduling, and task oversight.
• Lead financial oversight and processing for private jet and charter travel, supporting tracking, reconciliation, and documentation management.
• Serve as the primary financial operations liaison for assigned sports and units, coordinating directly with coaches and administrators.
• Support the Athletic Business Office in budgeting tasks for additional sports and units as needed.
• Enter financial data into the Banner system for assigned areas.

Position Function:

The Director of Business Operations for Athletics provides leadership and management of day-to-day financial operations supporting the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. This position serves as a key liaison for sports and administrative units, oversees financial processing and reconciliation tasks, and manages student and intern staff. The role emphasizes operational oversight, system process improvements, and strategic support of athletic department financial functions in coordination with the Athletic Business Office.

Salary Grade :  15

Please see Staff Compensation Structure for salary ranges.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the preparation and management of budgets for assigned sports and administrative units.
• Oversee ProCard processing and reconciliation, including the development and implementation of automated workflows to improve efficiency and compliance.
• Manage petty cash processing and reconciliation, ensuring proper controls and accuracy.
• Supervise administrative operations for student and intern staff, including hiring, scheduling, and task oversight.
• Lead financial oversight and processing for private jet and charter travel, supporting tracking, reconciliation, and documentation management.
• Serve as the primary financial operations liaison for assigned sports and units, coordinating directly with coaches and administrators.
• Support the Athletic Business Office in budgeting tasks for additional sports and units as needed.
• Enter financial data into the Banner system for assigned areas.
• Assist with fiscal year-end closeout activities for assigned sports/units and provide additional closeout support as needed.
• Assist with the preparation of the EADA, NCAA, and IHL Financial Reports, ensuring accurate data collection and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with NCAA, SEC, University, and State of Mississippi financial regulations in all assigned duties.
• Provide operational support for procurement, travel processing, and financial transactions as part of the Athletics Business Office team.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility
May include supervising student workers and interns.

The above essential duties are representative of major duties of positions in this position. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based upon departmental needs. Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job. Not all of the duties may be assigned to a position.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Administration, Sports Management or other business related field with one (2) years of experience in collegiate athletics, professional sports, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Accountancy, Public Administration, or Sports Administration.
   
2. Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
   
3. Three or more years of related experience.
   
4. Demonstrated ability to explain, advocate, and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner.
   
5. Proven ability to demonstrate strong communication skills, both orally and written.
   
6. Strong interpersonal skills to interact with a diverse group of constituents.
   
7. Strong critical-thinking skills and problem-solving skills.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
   
2. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
   
3. Knowledge of customer service principles, techniques, systems, and standards.
   
4. Skill in budget management and financial reporting.
   
5. Knowledge of accounting procedures involving payroll, procurement, cash management, travel, and/or employment.
   
6. Knowledge of financial/business analysis techniques.
   
7. Ability to develop and maintain recordkeeping systems and procedures.
   
8. Ability to analyze and solve problems.
   
9. Ability to use Microsoft Office suite.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• No unusual physical requirements. Requires limited lifting of files and records and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
• Frequent- External imposed deadlines; set and revised beyond one’s control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; meeting of deadlines and coordination of unrelated activities are key to position; involves conflict-resolution or similar interactions involving emotional issues or stress on a regular basis.
• Job frequently requires walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands.
• Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.

Instructions for Applying:

Please attach your resume and cover letter to the application.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.

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