Job Description Summary
Position Overview and Key Responsibilities:

The Department of Economics at the University of Maryland is seeking a detail-oriented Business Manager to oversee a wide range of administrative, fiscal, and operational functions. This key role supports approximately 150 active appointments, including faculty, staff, graduate assistants, student employees, visitors, and affiliated scholars. The Business Manager ensures compliance with University policies, coordinates complex payroll and immigration processes, and provides strategic operational support to enhance departmental efficiency.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

Manage employment, payroll, and benefits for all appointment types. Draft contracts, maintain accurate records, and serve as the primary liaison for immigration services. Oversee coordination of J-1, H-1B, and Permanent Resident applications, in coordination with the Office of International Students & Scholars.

Serve as liaison to the Office of Extended Studies for Winter/Summer Term courses, Freshman Connection, and the Professional Master’s of Applied Economics programs. Develop budgets, track instructor contracts, process payroll, and ensure compliance with employment regulations.

Process and track student awards and University Dean’s Fellowship payments.

Act as departmental subject matter expert for the University’s travel system (CONCUR). Process travel requests and expense reports, review submissions for accuracy, serve as a travel cardholder, and serve as backup to the Administrative Coordinator for visitor travel and departmental seminar series.

Provide front-office support, including greeting visitors, answering phone calls, and performing routine office tasks. Cross-train with the Assistant Director of Administrative Services (ADAS) to develop knowledge of departmental business functions such as foundation reimbursements, purchase orders, and pre/post-proposal research activities.

Physical Demands:

Spend long hours sitting and using computers. Light lifting of materials and supplies. Some walk to the courier to deliver documents on campus. Ability to bend and lift chairs for room setup.

Licenses/ Certifications: N/A

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Three (3) years of professional human resources, payroll, finance, accounting, procurement, or travel coordination experience.

Other: Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of human resources policies and procedures, and federal, state, and other applicable human resources related laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.

Additional Job Details

Job Risks
Not Applicable to This Position

Financial Disclosure Required
Yes

Department
BSOS-Economics

Worker Sub-Type
Staff Regular

Salary Range
$74,000 to $88,500