Manager, Business Affairs WDET

Manager, Business Affairs WDET

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Manager, Business Affairs WDET at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Essential functions (job duties):

Job Purpose

Manage day-to-day financial, administrative and human resource activities for WDET, Wayne State University’s public radio station and Detroit’s National Public Radio affiliate. Work with WDET leadership and representatives of other University departments to accommodate station needs, support Wayne State University’s mission and ensure compliance with University, Federal Communications Commission and Corporation for Public Broadcasting policies and procedures.


Essential Functions

Prepare and manage all WDET budgets, including grant budgets, in accordance with allocation provisions and budget policy and regulations. Oversee processing of all incoming funds including payments, gifts, contributions and grants. Assist with the development of short and long range financial plans. Oversee/prepare/review financial and administrative reports for submission to sponsoring agencies. Forecast revenues and expenditures and conduct needs assessments recommending reallocation of funds as necessary. Provide financial reporting information to assist management in planning and decision making; develop detailed statistical analyses and reports outlining financial activities.

Oversee the day-to-day financial management of WDET’s Corporate Underwriting Department. Manage all aspects of underwriting payments in Marketron (Traffic Management System) to ensure the timely and accurate entry and processing of corporate underwriting contracts, billing and receivable collection. Use system to analyze, interpret and report on data.

Oversee the day-to-day financial management of WDET’s Membership/Philanthropy Department. Manage all aspects of contribution payments in Allegiance (donor database system) to ensure the timely, accurate entry and processing of contributions. Use system to analyze, interpret and report on data.

Maintain internal control systems to ensure integrity of financial transactions to prevent errors, omissions and possible fraudulent activity. Facilitate the annual, federally mandated outside audit of WDET. Prepare the Annual Financial Report, Station Activity Survey, supporting legal forms and additional documents and requirements as requested by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Assure WDET compliance with University policies and procedures and those of sponsoring agencies and other contractual agreements. Manage all activities required to ensure that WDET complies with all rules and requirements of the Federal Communications Commission, Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other pertinent external agencies and University policies.

Manage, authorize and oversee all personnel and payroll related processes and transactions; reconcile Human Resource system data to Financial Management System data. Coordinate divisional personnel operations and procedures. Assist with the following: recruiting; merit and salary planning; performance management; FMLA, HR operations, programs and procedures; transaction management; unit communications; employee relations; onboarding; support staff training, development and reporting.

Manage and review the procurement or purchasing processes for WDET. Contact vendor representatives and related University personnel to determine procurement options and contractual agreements. Recommend equipment needs for management and staff. Negotiate purchase and service agreements. Assist with building facilities project development and implementation including preparation of facilities budget forecasts, negotiation of vendor contracts and approval of required construction/renovation plans to ensure appropriate financial and budget requirements are met.

Assist with the development of short and long-range strategic plans to achieve the organization’s mission. Represent General Manager to other University personnel, vendors, external clients and outside professional organizations and groups. Attend or serve on University committees or task forces. Participate in special projects which may impact WDET and/or the University at large.

Oversee office operations and manage the daily activities of support staff to ensure accurate and timely service delivery. Ensure compliance with University policies and procedures. Recruit, hire, onboard, train, direct daily activities, discipline and develop staff. Assign tasks and communicate time lines for completion, provide training and oversight as needed. Responsible for WDET equipment and technology management, inventory and space control.

Perform other related duties as assigned.


WORK CONTEXT

Job Reports to: Director.

Leadership Accountability: Develops strategic plans and interprets policy.

Supervisory Accountability: Supervises associates below supervisory level.

Organizational Accountability: Manages work group within a sub-unit of a department.

Financial Accountability: Manages operating budget.

Customer Accountability: Interfaces with customers outside the S/C/D.

Freedom to Act: Subject to general input from supervisor.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor's degree.

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a preferred concentration in Business, Finance and/or Accounting. Master’s Degree preferred.


Experience

Specialist (minimum 5 years of job-related experience).

Minimum of five years of financial, budget and supervisory experience, preferably in higher education, public media or a medium-sized non-profit organization. Considerable experience with accounting principles and procedures. External and internal audit experience is preferred. Experience with Cognos (University Financial Management System), Allegiance (Donor Database System) and Marketron (Station Log System) preferred.


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Possess an understanding of finance management and administrative systems, preferably in a higher education environment or a large/complex organization. Demonstrates a high level of understanding of public media business operations or possesses the equivalent professional experience in supporting the business operations of a unit/organization in the academic, non-profit or corporate sector. Possesses keen business judgment and insight. Demonstrates broad knowledge and perspective and is future oriented.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply analytical and logical thinking to gathering and analyzing information. Makes valid and reliable evaluation of information. Proposes and evaluates alternative solutions to achieve organizational goals. Capable of analyzing large volume of data and summarizing results. Ability to compare, contrast and quality check work with a keen attention to detail.
• Analyzes the impact of potential actions. Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner. Anticipates the implications and consequences of situations and takes appropriate action to be prepared for possible contingencies.
• Knows how to get things done both through formal channels and the informal networks. Demonstrates the ability to work effectively with senior leadership to establish and accomplish WDET’s mission, strategic plans, goals and objectives.
• Ability to work independently while establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with wide variety of constituents within and outside station and University. Knows how to translate financial concepts to programing and fundraising colleagues who may not have backgrounds in finance. Ability to work through others and make appropriate interventions to ensure work flow is efficient and adequate resources are available. Encourages collaboration and seeks feedback. Demonstrate an ability to share organizational knowledge and translate financial concepts to peers to support their personal development.
• Ability to shift priorities and multi-task on various projects. Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals. Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks and projects. Realistically estimates time and resource requirements on projects.
• Dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers. Establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect. Proactively identifies customer issues and quickly and effectively resolves customer problems.
• Possesses high ethical standards. Respects the confidentiality of information or concerns shared by others. Interprets and understands University policies and applicable laws and regulations to ensure personal and unit compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate of clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. Demonstrates the ability to plan and deliver oral and written communications that are impactful and persuasive including making presentations to university management and committees.

School/College/Division:

H72 - WDET

Primary department:

H8703 - WDET

Employment type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Staff/Administrative

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Hourly rate:
• Salary minimum: $55,000
• Salary hire maximum: $85,000

Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No
• Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
• Prior posting/requisition number:

Background check requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.

Equal employment opportunity statement:

Wayne State University provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. The university encourages applications from women, people of color and other underrepresented people. Wayne State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.