Senior Business Services Consultant, Office of Strategic Initiatives

The Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSIN) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC).

OSIN is home to the Missouri Institute for Defense and Energy (MIDE) and the Critical Materials Crossroads (CMC), along with other strategic research initiatives. OSIN manages a portfolio of approximately 50-75 active sponsored awards, ranging from small single-investigator projects to large, complex, multi-million-dollar programs. Work is funded by the Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, and other federal, state, industry, and foundation sponsors.

The Senior Business Services Consultant performs and oversees the accounting and financial management of OSIN's sponsored research portfolio and the transactional, personnel, and operational work of the administrative office. The position serves as a central hub between principal investigators and research personnel and the University Research and Innovation, Finance, Human Resources, and other central offices. Working as part of a small administrative team, this position provides day-to-day work direction and quality review for administrative staff, with the potential to assume formal supervisory responsibility.

OSIN is a fast-paced, complex research enterprise. The successful candidate will work under general direction with minimal day-to-day supervision, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant execution of department operations. Because a significant share of the portfolio is funded by defense agencies, some projects carry access or distribution restrictions.

Duties Include:

• Award and Financial Management
  • Manage post-award administration for a portion of the OSI research portfolio in partnership with the Office of Research and Innovation, including award setup, subcontracts, effort reporting, compliance, sponsor fiscal reporting, and closeouts
  • Maintain budget-to-actual tracking, spending projections, and burn-rate information for individual awards and the overall portfolio
  • Monitor and reconcile expenditures, and resolve discrepancies
  • Prepare monthly and annual financial reports and projections across the research portfolio
  • Develop/review complex proposal budgets, including multi-institution and subaward budgets
• Operational Transactions and Logistics
  • Serve as a primary point of contact with the Office of Research and Innovation, Finance, Human Resources, Procurement, and other central offices
  • Process/review purchasing, travel, reimbursement, and invoice transactions
• Personnel and Payroll Support
  • Coordinate/support appointments, onboarding, and personnel transactions with Human Resources
  • Oversee payroll funding for a large staff paid from multiple funding sources
• Event and Special Project Coordination
  • Coordinate/support logistics, budgets, and execution of professional meetings, workshops, stakeholder visits, and other special events
• Office Systems and Staff Support
  • Create, maintain, and improve shared processes and tracking systems for budgets, deadlines, and office operations
  • Provide day-to-day work direction, training, and quality review for administrative staff
• Other duties as assigned.

Expectations Include:

• Demonstrate independent judgment in managing complex administrative and financial activities
• Maintain professionalism and responsiveness while supporting OSI leadership, staff, and stakeholders
• Manage competing priorities across multiple strategic initiatives
• Ensure work is accurate and compliant with university policies and sponsor requirements
• Uphold the confidentiality of personnel, financial, and research information
• Support continuous improvement and organizational growth

This is an on-site, in-person position.

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 5 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Experience:

• Professional experience in business operations, finance, accounting, bookkeeping, and/or research administration within higher education, government, or a similarly regulated environment
• Demonstrated experience supporting large sponsored research portfolios, including federal, state, and industry-funded awards
• Proven experience in post-award grant administration and budgeting, including contracting, compliance, financial reporting, forecasting, effort reporting, and cost share tracking
• Experience working in enterprise financial or administrative systems (PeopleSoft, Workday, Banner, or similar), including running and interpreting reports
• Hands-on experience processing and reviewing transactions (purchasing, travel, reimbursements, and invoices), including knowledge of required documentation and approvals
• Experience implementing operational improvements, process redesign, or system enhancements
• Experience coordinating across multiple stakeholders (faculty, principal investigators, finance, HR, external sponsors)
• Experience coordinating professional meetings, workshops, or conferences
• Experience leading or supervising administrative or operations staff, including performance management and team development

Preferred Skills and Attributes:

• Strong quantitative reasoning and working facility with spreadsheets and budgets
• High attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy and compliance
• Proactive and self-directed, with the ability to set priorities and see work through to completion with minimal oversight
• Ability to manage competing priorities and navigate ambiguity in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism in handling sensitive information
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building abilities across diverse groups

The anticipated hiring range for this position has been established as $65,000 - $85,000 annually

Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the individual's particular combination of education, skills, and experience, as well as organizational requirements.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Grade: GGS 11
University Title: Senior Business Services Consultant
To review the University of Missouri's Staff Compensation Structure you can view the Job Code detail page. Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Review of applications to begin immediately.

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Kansas City offers the best of both worlds-a vibrant, urban community with Midwestern appeal. The city's rich history and its modern-day, innovative thinking come together to create an eclectic group of neighborhoods that offer a little something for everyone. From thriving arts districts, an energetic downtown nightlife, casual to upscale shopping and champion sports teams, you will have no problem making yourself at home. Of course, one of Kansas City's biggest claims to fame is its food, especially its world-famous barbecue. Foodies will delight in the culinary scene found throughout the city. Ranging from award-winning chefs to cozy pizza joints, Kansas City definitely is not lacking any flavor.

UMKC's campuses are conveniently nestled in the middle of all the action. Volker Campus is just minutes from the legendary Country Club Plaza, perfect for shopping or restaurants for lunch or after-work happy hours. Surrounded by hip neighborhoods and eateries, the Health Sciences Campus is located downtown near University Health Truman Medical Center and Children's Mercy Hospital.

UMKC is proud to be "Kansas City's university," and the campus and its people celebrate all the characteristics of the surrounding community. To learn more about life in Kansas City and find more resources, visit VisitKC.com.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.