Business Manager in Albuquerque, New Mexico at National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in studying the universe. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Observatory is a hub for technological and scientific collaboration, operating state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. The Observatory has been instrumental in the study of black holes, galaxies, and the early universe.

NRAO is seeking a Business Manager to support New Mexico operations and provide business, administrative, and operational leadership in support of NRAO's New Mexico activities.

The Business Manager serves as the senior business and administrative partner to New Mexico Operations leadership and works closely with the Chief Administrative Officer and enterprise functions including Financial Planning & Analysis, Contracts & Procurement, Facilities & Infrastructure, Human Resources, Environmental, Safety & Security, and Management Information Systems.

The position leads local business operations and administrative services while ensuring alignment with Observatory-wide policies, standards, controls, and processes. The Business Manager operates with substantial independence and delegated authority and is expected to demonstrate strong management, judgment, communication, collaboration, and accountability

The position supports activities at the Domenici Science Operations Center (DSOC) in Socorro and NRAO's Albuquerque office. This is an in-person management position requiring regular presence at NRAO’s New Mexico locations. The normal weekly expectation is at least two days in Socorro, with the remainder of the workweek based at the Albuquerque office, VLA, or other New Mexico locations as operational needs require. Meetings, business priorities, and other operational requirements may require a different location distribution in a given week and take precedence over the normal schedule.

What You Will be Doing:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead and coordinate business and administrative operations supporting NRAO's New Mexico activities.
• Serve as a senior business partner to New Mexico Operations leadership, providing analysis, recommendations, administrative support, and implementation of approved decisions.
• Ensure local business activities comply with Observatory policies, delegated authorities, internal controls, and enterprise processes.
• Coordinate with FP&A on budget development, forecasting, variance analysis, resource planning, and financial reporting.
• Conduct business and operational analyses, evaluate alternatives and impacts, and provide recommendations to appropriate decision-makers.
• Exercise delegated financial and administrative authority within established policies and approval thresholds.
• Coordinate with Contracts & Procurement on acquisition requirements, vendor relationships, and contract administration.
• Provide management oversight for assigned visitor services, travel support, retail/Gift Shop operations, and other administrative services.
• Serve as the primary New Mexico business interface with Facilities & Infrastructure and support local facilities requirements, leases, utilities, landlords, maintenance coordination, and implementation of approved projects.
• Manage relationships with New Mexico Tech, contractors, vendors, utilities, government organizations, and other external partners as appropriate.
• Identify opportunities to improve administrative services and business processes and lead implementation of approved changes.
• Prepare management reports, analyses, and planning information.
• Supervise, coach, develop, and evaluate assigned staff; establish clear expectations and accountability for performance; and build staff capability and continuity within the New Mexico Business Office.
• Build productive relationships across New Mexico Operations and enterprise functions.
• Perform other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position.

In addition to fulfilling the responsibilities of the position, the Business Manager is expected to demonstrate NRAO Administration’s behavioral competencies:

• Reliability and Ownership

Demonstrates consistent follow-through, accepts responsibility for assigned work, owns outcomes, and corrects issues without unnecessary prompting.

• Prioritization and Judgment

Uses sound judgment to assess urgency, sequence work appropriately, make decisions within role authority, and escalate issues at the right time and level.

• Focus and Execution

Maintains focus on priority work, follows tasks through to completion, manages interruptions effectively, and produces timely, complete, and usable work products.

• Communication

Communicates clearly, proactively, and professionally so stakeholders understand status, risks, decisions, expectations, and next steps.

• Collaboration and Service Orientation

Works constructively with colleagues, site partners, functional teams, and stakeholders to provide effective service, improve handoffs, and support Administration’s enterprise operating model.

Work Environment

The Business Manager will work with a high degree of independence. While performing the duties of this job, the employee typically sits at a desk, uses a personal computer, telephone, and other standard office equipment.

Work-from-home opportunities are limited and occasional, subject to operational needs and supervisor approval, and are not part of the position’s regular weekly work arrangement. The position also requires periodic travel to other NRAO locations.

Who You Are:

Education

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Experience

• Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in business operations, administration, finance, institutional operations, or a closely related field.
  • Minimum of three years of direct supervisory or management experience
  • Demonstrated experience managing multiple business, administrative, or operational functions.
  • Experience analyzing business or operational issues and developing recommendations.
  • Demonstrated experience managing employees, setting expectations, providing feedback, and addressing performance issues.
  • Experience using an Enterprise Resource Planning system or comparable enterprise business system.

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment within delegated authority.
• Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships across organizational and functional boundaries.
• Ability to interpret and apply organizational policies, procedures, regulations, and internal controls.

Additional Requirement

• The selected candidate must successfully pass a post-offer, pre-employment background check which includes both credit history and criminal, as a condition of employment.
• Must have a driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
• Ability to travel regularly among NRAO New Mexico locations and periodically to other NRAO sites.
• Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B Visas for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a federally funded research organization, higher education, government, national laboratory, research institution, or similarly complex organization.
• Experience with government property, procurement, contract administration, fleet operations, logistics, or asset management.
• Experience leading organizational change or process improvement.
• Experience working in a matrix organization with both local and enterprise functional responsibilities.
• Advanced degree in business administration, management, finance, public administration, or a related field.

Total Rewards:

Compensation

The starting salary of this position is between $114,000 and $138,000. Factors that may affect starting pay include education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits:

Associated Universities, Inc (AUI) offers a comprehensive benefits package addressing the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment, subject to eligibility requirements. AUI provides:

• Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)
• Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment.
• AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution.
• Click Total Rewards for more information.

Application Instructions:

Select the “Apply” button above. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit https://public.nrao.edu/careers/. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to resumes@nrao.edu. PM20