About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region. 

About the UMass Fine Arts Center

Since its founding in 1975, the UMass Fine Arts Center has been a central force in the cultural, social, and academic life of the University, the Five College campuses, and the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. The Fine Arts Center's combination of educational, visual, and performing arts programs not only makes us unique, but it also secures a very vital and necessary position for us to meet the diverse needs of scholars, faculty, students, alumni, and the broader community.

Job Summary

The Business Manager oversees the daily operation of the Fine Arts Center’s business functions and provides management and supervision for the administrative support services of the Fine Arts Center. The position is responsible for financial, purchasing, contracting, and personnel management activities that support the mission of the Fine Arts Center. These activities require initiative, leadership, judgment, and collaboration with departments within and external to the Fine Arts Center. The Business Manager provides advice and guidance to Fine Arts Center staff regarding policy and procedure within the University community.

Essential Functions

Financial Management

• Builds relationships and exercises independent judgment in the role of liaison between the Fine Arts Center and the Controller's Office, Procurement and other campus offices; resolves related problems among internal and external departments as needed.
• Develops, coordinates and administers policy and procedure for the procurement of goods and services for all Fine Arts Center departments.
• Performs PeopleSoft finance operations to interface with Summit A&F system, BuyWays and Concur. Provides supplementary training to Fine Arts Center staff on new University software applications. Oversees OneCard expense processing in Concur.
• Works closely with all Fine Arts Center departments to support and plan the administrative aspects of their projects. Collaborates with these departments to improve and implement processes to align practices within the Fine Arts Center. Develops financial tracking methods to monitor, analyze and report Fine Arts Center financial operations.
• Uses Arts Vision and Salesforce to invoice University and external clients for box office, production and front of house services.
• Makes spending decisions that support department operations and goals.
• Oversees bi-weekly payroll process.
• Supervises Contract and Purchasing Manager; guides them through exceptions in practice when they occur.

Contracting

• Works with OGC and Fine Arts Center department heads to update contract templates each year, including forms for Performing Arts performances, Visual Arts exhibitions, and rental contracts for University and external clients.
• Works with performing arts and visual arts departments to negotiate terms and conditions with artists and agents.
• Oversees creation of approximately 35 contracts annually, incorporating scope of work and guiding negotiation of legal provisions on behalf of the University.

Student Workers/Temporary Faculty Hires

• Together with Contract and Purchasing Manager, hires approximately 200 student workers each semester. Completes and processes hire documentation for international and graduate students.
• Works with Fine Arts Center department heads to collect allocation of student time to rental events.
• Ensures new student hires’ ability to self-report time.

General Management

• Supports and monitors Fine Arts Center personnel in order to ensure compliance with all appropriate University policies and procedures.
• Disseminates, interprets and responds to all inquiries concerning Fine Arts Center and University policies and procedures to the staff.
• Problem solves and advises all Fine Arts Center staff on adhering to financial and personnel policies and procedures.
• Routinely reviews, maintains, updates and implements departmental procedures manual(s).
• Communicates process and system changes to all Fine Arts Center staff, provides training and re-training as needed.

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned. 
• Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration.
• Understands and contributes to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's degree with two (2) years of relevant financial or business management experience OR an Associate's degree with four (4) years of relevant financial or business management experience, OR a HS/GED with six (6) years of relevant financial or business management experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of fiscal management principles, including budgetary and fund accounting procedures and demonstrated ability to prepare periodic reporting.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to lead, advise and train staff and to maintain absolute confidentiality.
• Strong Excel skills.
• Excellent organizational, written and oral communication skills.
• Past supervisory, management, and training skills necessary to coordinate the department's business activities.
• Ability to utilize financial databases and systems to manipulate and analyze financial data for internal and external reporting and management of various types of funds.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Familiarity with UMass purchasing systems.
• Familiarity with UMass HR systems.
• Experience supporting performing arts within higher education.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday–Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
• Required to work some nights and weekends. 

Salary Information

Level 26

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Upload your cover letter and resume, along with your completed application. Our team will check references at the final stage of the interview process. Please be prepared to provide contact information for at least three (3) professional references. This position will remain open until filled or the advertised closing date, whichever occurs first. Early submissions are recommended.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.