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Position Title:Business Administrator III - Procurement

Job Group:Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field.

Experience with budgeting, financial reconciliation, or financial analysis in a higher education, governmental, or similarly complex organizational environment.

Background with procurement processes, supplier management, or accounts payable practices.

Demonstrated experience preparing journal entries, managing worktags/cost centers, or working within enterprise financial systems (e.g., Workday).

Experience overseeing operational processes such as equipment inventory, asset disposition, permit renewals, or space/facility coordination.

Job Description:

Iowa State University’s Procurement Services unit is seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized Business Administrator III to support efficient, compliant, and customer-focused procurement operations across the university. This position plays a critical role in financial management, operational oversight, and the coordination of key departmental processes that ensure smooth and effective daily operations.

The Business Administrator supports a broad range of financial and operational activities, including developing and monitoring budgets, reconciling complex financial accounts, tracking supplier rebates and technology fees, and partnering with Finance and the Treasurer’s Office. The role also manages departmental assets and equipment, oversees sponsored email accounts and permit renewals, assists with space and building-related needs, supports Open Records processes, and ensures smooth onboarding for new employees and student workers. Success in this position requires strong analytical abilities, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities include:

+ Reconciling departmental accounts and ensuring budget accuracy.

+ Reviewing supplier payment files, investigating discrepancies, and coordinating with banking partners on corrections or resubmissions.

+ Recording cash sales from rebates and payments.

+ Preparing journal entries and adjustments, including determining when new worktags are needed.

+ Reconciling credit card clearing accounts totaling several million dollars.

+ Recording annual credit card rebates and reconciling gift card payments and credits.

+ Managing financial projects and reporting that support budget decisions and future planning.

+ Providing financial analysis to support decisions related to budgets, salary increases, and technology renewals.

+ Monitoring financial and operational systems and verifying expenditures for accuracy and compliance.

+ Coordinating the disposition of surplus equipment, furniture, and other assets.

+ Coordinating onboarding for new employees, including system and building access.

+ Assisting with student hiring and onboarding processes.

If you thrive on variety and enjoy a role where your responsibilities span financial analysis, operational coordination, and employee support, you’ll find this position both engaging and rewarding. You will join a strong, collaborative team that values professionalism, continuous learning, and mutual support. Procurement Services offers excellent work–life balance, flexibility in how work gets done, and a culture that prioritizes growth and development. You will be encouraged to pursue opportunities that expand your skills, including relevant conferences, webinars, and training that enhance your expertise. Join us and take part in work that is both meaningful and deeply valued across campus.

Please provide a cover letter describing your experience related to the duties of this role.

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.

Leveling Guidelines

• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals

• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude

• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action

• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices

• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff

• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)

• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist

• Provides guidance to students

Appointment Type:Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:PS809

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: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485. Why Choose ISU? 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 • Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

Original Posting Date: November 25, 2025

Posting Close Date:December 7, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R18172

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.