Business Administrator II

About the role

Job Group: Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and 2 years of related experience

About the role

The College of Design seeks a qualified Business Administrator II to oversee the business affairs and operations of assigned departments.

The Departmental Partner plays a pivotal role within the Administrative Services Office (ASO) of the College of Design. This position provides a unique opportunity to apply a variety set of skills and significantly influences the operation of our departments. The ASO values the unique contributions of each team member and encourages an atmosphere that nurtures growth and professional development.

This role reports to the college's Fiscal Officer and collaborates closely with chairs, faculty, and students. It involves a range of administrative duties crucial to the success of our academic efforts. It requires an adaptable, collaborative, and communicative individual proficient in multitasking.

Examples of Duties

Budget and Financial Management

• Manage departmental cost centers, budgets, and financial transactions using Workday, including state, course fee, and foundation funds.
• Prepare and analyze budgets and financial reports; advise department chairs on expenditures tracking, budget comparison, and financial decisions.
• Approve expenses, reconcile accounts, and ensure compliance with university financial policies and procedures.

Administrative and Departmental Support

• Coordinate course scheduling, room assignments, and faculty/instructor records in Workday Student.
• Support department chairs with meeting coordination and follow-up on departmental matters.
• Facilitate departmental voting and provide guidance on college and university policies and procedures.
• Process graduate student hiring, assistantship appointments, scholarships.
• Support Department faculty searches through job postings, candidate travel, scheduling, and logistics.

Faculty and Student Support

• Serve as a resource for faculty regarding departmental policies, procedures, and administrative matters.
• Coordinate faculty promotion and tenure documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Experience in financial management, including monthly account reconciliations, budget oversight, expense monitoring, and financial reporting.
• Proven ability to ability to explain and interpret financial information, policies, and procedures to faculty, staff, and other stakeholders to support informed decision-making.
• Experience in a higher education or similarly complex organizational environment, with the ability to learn and navigate financial, academic, and administrative policies and procedures.
• Experience providing administrative support in an academic or organizational setting, including personnel and student employment processes, scheduling and course coordination, scholarship or financial assistance administration, and faculty support.

Additional information

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email, or call or Toll Free:.

• Appointment Type: Regular
• Number of Months Employed Per Year: 12 Month Work Period
• Time Type: Full time

Pay Grade

• PS808
• Original Posting Date: November 9, 2026
• Posting Close Date: November 19, 2026
• Job Requisition Number: R20151

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.