← Search all jobs

Business Manager - Environmental Health and Safety - UTK

University of Tennessee System

Knoxville, TN · Posted October 16, 2026

See every open role at University of Tennessee System

More in Tennessee job market · Education & EdTech · Operations jobs

About the job

The University of Tennessee Knoxville, Public Safety, Department of Environmental Health and Safety, invites applicants to apply for the position of Business Manager. This position will be expected to provide complex accounting/budgeting support for the department. Additionally, the position manages and has approval authority over business, financial, budget, and other administrative functions within the Departments of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and Office of Emergency Management (OEM) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. "Department" below refers to the Departments of EHS and OEM. This position assures policy, procedure, and legal compliance in financial, human resource, and contract operations. Position manages and oversees all business operations within the unit and creates internal systems for improving process efficiency and effectiveness. This position supervises two non-exempt Administrative positions.

The job duties include, but are not limited to:

Financial

Department budget development, preparation, management, and reconciliation

Manages accounts and financial functions for the EHS & OEM departments

Manages recharge center, recoveries, and supplemental budget requests

Analyzes, evaluates, and reconciles the general ledgers, revenues, expenditures, budget reports, and balances

Coordinates the compilation and preparation of operational and financial reports and analyses that summarize progress, challenges, and appropriate recommendations

Reconciles monthly ledgers and prepares financial reports

Manages the procurement card reconciliations

Prepares, controls, justifies, analyzes, and interprets department budgets for the EHS program leaders

Review, reconcile, and act as payroll approver proxy for electronic timesheets

Departmental Operations

Manages the daily business operations of a department, accounts receivable, accounts payable, procurement and human resources

Serves as a resource and advisor of campus administrative procedures and UTSA policy for department leadership (Director; Assistant Director; Program Leaders; supervisors)

Develops internal procedures and guidelines for department for continuous improvement

Participates in the creation and implementation of short- and long-range business goals that support the departmental mission

Acts as liaison with all levels of administration, faculty, and external constituents to coordinate departmental business, accomplish goals, and facilitate the resolution of concerns

Supervises, trains, and/or mentors staff including onboarding new personnel for timesheets and personnel actions

Performs procurement management tasks for department to include contracts management and purchases

Human Resource Management

Develops or supports development of position descriptions, job advertisements and salary research

Assists in coordinating all hiring actions including scheduling of interviews and interview support actions

Primary liaison between HR and EHS for topical issues

Develops annual professional development plans with direct report

Attends and participates in required educational programs and staff meetings

Conducts other related tasks, requests, and duties as assigned

Provides work direction, supervises, and evaluates performance of the non-exempt Administrative positions; may also supervise student workers as needed

Performs other related HR duties as assigned

Contract and General Office Management

Directs the creation of requisitions/contracts for memberships and subscriptions as well as service contracts for the department

Ensure contracts and managed accounts follow the appropriate review process per policy and procedures

Ensure all departmental purchases meet campus procedures, UT policies, and documentation requirements

Performs inventory and assets management functions

Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Experience

Four years of relevant, progressively responsible experience in any, all or combination of financial, administrative, human resources and/or operations

Experience in budget development, and management

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications:

Supervisory experience preferred

Minimum of 2-5 years working in a university environment

Technical training on Oracle platform, payroll/personnel system and Taleo

WORK SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday, with occasional overnight travel.

W ORK LOCATION: Knoxville

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!