Division Business Manager

Business Manager

The Desert Research Institute (DRI) seeks a highly motivated, well-organized person for the position of Business Manager in the Division of Hydrologic Sciences (DHS); DHS is one of three research divisions at DRI. DRI is the non-profit environmental research campus of the Nevada System of Higher Education with campuses located in Reno and Las Vegas. This on-site position is located at the Reno campus. Occasional travel to DRI's Las Vegas campus may be required.

The Business Manager reports to and works closely with the Executive Director of DHS as part of a division leadership team. The Business Manager also works directly with faculty, staff, and administration to coordinate the development of grant proposals and contract bids; assists faculty in responding to RFP guidelines; creates budgets; reviews proposal packages for accuracy and compliance; and authorizes and submits final proposals. This position is responsible for pre- and post-award administration of research grants and contracts for the division, and reviews and negotiates their terms and conditions in compliance with DRI and NSHE policy. Project accounts are set up in a grants and contracts database, and expenditures for each project are tracked and authorized by the Business Manager. The position requires preparation and monitoring of sub-awards, requesting contractual amendments from sponsors, and developing recharge rates for specialized service centers as needed. The deadline driven nature of some of the Business Manager's responsibilities will occasionally require work outside normal business hours.

In addition to sponsored research duties, the Business Manager ensures that divisional operations run efficiently by assisting the Executive Director and division faculty with hiring and employment policies; prepares fiscal year budgets; tracks and authorizes expenditures; and provides analyses, trends, and metrics for division budgets.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Five (5) years of full-time relevant experience in a sponsored-research environment or business environment, including government, university, or private-sector positions or four (4) years of experience in sponsored research administration with an MBA degree.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, management, and supervisory abilities
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Experience with state and federal governmental grant or contract business administration
• Experience in cost estimating and budget development and tracking
• Demonstrated proficiency in Word, Excel, and automated accounting systems
• Evidence of ability to prioritize and complete multiple tasks within competing time constraints
• Knowledge of OMB Uniform Guidance and Regulations
• Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment, while supporting multiple-proposal deadlines and schedules
• Customer service-oriented leader that thrives in a team environment
• Two years of direct supervision, including hiring, performance development, and assigning work
• US Citizenship per sponsor funding requirements

Organization Summary

Since 1959, DRI has stood at the forefront of understanding Earth's complex environmental systems, promoting preservation of diverse ecosystems, advancing responsible natural resource management, and improving human health and welfare throughout Nevada and around the world. Research at DRI calls on the expertise and methods of multiple scientific disciplines. More than 500 highly skilled scientists, engineers, technicians and students are collaboratively focused on understanding and answering critical questions about global climate change, water quality and availability, air quality, sustainability of desert lands, life in extreme environments, and more.

Reno is located at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, just 45 minutes from Lake Tahoe and 4 hours from San Francisco. Reno has four seasons, abundant sunshine, and low humidity. Reno was recently rated one of the best small cities in the US for overall quality of life. Reno offers reasonable commute times, no state income tax, diverse artistic and cultural events, and plentiful opportunities for outdoor recreation.