Business Manager

The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace; it is a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well-being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world-class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University’s mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you!

The IDEA Center at the University of Notre Dame serves as the University’s central resource for commercialization and entrepreneurship, supporting innovation from idea development and prototyping to startup formation and student entrepreneurial education.

The Business Manager plays a critical role in advancing this mission by overseeing financial planning, budgeting, and business operations across the IDEA Center, including the ESTEEM Graduate program, Student Entrepreneurship, Innovation Lab, and Innovation Park. This position partners closely with the various directors and the Notre Dame Research (NDR) Finance & Administration team to ensure strong fiscal stewardship, operational excellence, and process improvement.

Budget Oversight

• Partner with directors to lead the annual fiscal year budgeting process and develop comprehensive operating budgets.
• Enter approved budgets into Financial Compass and maintain accurate, up-to-date financial records.
• Monitor and analyze actual expenditures against budget, identify variances, and investigate root causes.
• Collaborate with leadership to implement corrective actions and budget adjustments as needed.
• Develop accurate financial forecasts and maintain timely updates in Compass.
• Prepare financial statements and reports for annual reviews and leadership meetings.

Financial Management

• Provide financial insight and analysis to the various teams to support and guide informed decision-making.
• Identify and implement opportunities to streamline and improve business processes.
• Manage and develop key finance- and business-related relationships with campus partners.
• Oversee all accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.
• Review and approve expense reports, buyND requisitions, and Financial Toolkit payments, ensuring compliance with IDEA Center, NDR, and University financial policies and procedures.
• Process cross-divisional funding transfers and complete year-end reconciliations.
• Serve as backup support for administrative financial functions, including reimbursements, payment requests, vendor management, and other operational needs

Position Support/Staffing

• Collaborate with the NDR Finance & Administration team to support staff position management and workforce planning.
• Assist teams with hiring student interns, contractors, and temporary employees and related financial coordination.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or a related field.
• 3+ years of relevant financial and budgeting experience, preferably in a university or higher education environment.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Skills & Competencies

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong financial management and analytical skills, with advanced proficiency in Excel and/or Google Sheets. They will have experience working with financial reporting tools and dashboards to support data-driven decision making. A high level of attention to detail and accuracy is essential, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills. The ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while collaborating effectively across teams is critical to success in this role.

 

Salary up to $85,000 commensurate with experience.

The position may be offered in a hybrid format, allowing up to two remote workdays per week.

Please include a cover letter and resume when submitting your application.

Applications due by March 15, 2026.  

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.