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Arizona State University

Manager Finance & Operations - Research

🇺🇸 Hybrid - Los Angeles, CA 🕑 Full-Time 💰 $85K - $105K 💻 Finance 🗓️ March 13th, 2026

Edtech.com's Summary

Arizona State University is hiring a Manager Finance & Operations - Research. The Manager will oversee multiple funding streams, budgeting, forecasting, procurement, and human resource coordination to support the research office expansion at the ASU California Center in Los Angeles. They will collaborate with leadership and operational staff to advance research activities within the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, ensuring financial compliance and managing departmental operations.

Highlights
  • Manage multiple funding streams including local, gift, and grant accounts for faculty labs.
  • Oversee budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, procurement, and compliance monitoring.
  • Coordinate faculty, staff, and student recruitment and manage HR-related processes.
  • Utilize financial management systems with preference for Workday and Adaptive Planning.
  • Experience with grants administration, account reconciliation, and sponsor policy adherence required.
  • Manage departmental purchasing card, scholarships, awards, and travel approvals (knowledge of Concur and ASU travel policies).
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business with at least three years of relevant experience.
  • Strong skills in Excel and Microsoft Office suite; problem-solving and customer service skills emphasized.
  • Supports research activities for schools within the Herberger Institute including ASU FIDM Fashion, The Design School, and the Sidney Poitier New American Film School.
  • Position salary ranges from $85,000 to $105,000 depending on experience.

Manager Finance & Operations - Research Full Description

Job Profile:Administrative Operations Manager 1
Job Family:Administrative Operations
Time Type:Full time
Max Pay - Depends on experience:$105,000.00 USD Annual
Apply before 11:59 PM Arizona time the day before the posted End Date.
Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Job Profile Summary:
Manages the routine operations of a department within the division. Monitors budget, implements strategic priorities, and prepares reports for senior management.

Job Description:
The Research Advancement team in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts (HIDA) is looking for a Manager, Finance and Operations to support the research office expansion in Los Angeles at the ASU California Center. In this role, the Manager, Finance and Operations will be responsible for a wide range of duties which include but are not limited to managing multiple sources of funding for large income/faculty labs, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, procurement, oversight of student awards, and human resource coordination. Additionally, this position will oversee coordinate with leadership and other operational support staff to meet the goals of the Research Advancement Office and the Institute.

The successful candidate will be a self-starter, excellent customer service and communication skills, exceptional work qualities, an ability to coordinate multiple tasks autonomously and someone who can exercise sound judgment in decision-making. This position will be a contributing member of the Research Advancement Team in HIDA.

The Herberger Institute's presence in Los Angeles currently includes the School of Art (ASU FIDM - Fashion), The Design School, and The Sidney Poitier New American Film School. The Manager, Finance and Operations will support all research activities in LA and report to the Associate Director of Research Advancement in Tempe, AZ.

Position Salary Range:
$85.000 - $105,000; depending on experience within

Essential Duties:
  • Manage multiple funding streams which may include local, gift and grant accounts for large income faculty/labs providing strategic insight and decision-making to maximize HIDA funding and expand research deliverables.
  • Responsible for account monitoring and reconciling, expense transfers, effort reporting and be a resource on sponsor policies and regulations regarding the administration of award funds; monitor compliance issues and assist in resolution, and account close out.
  • In conjunction with and in support of ORSPA, provides assistance and support securing additional information during negotiations as necessary; reads award documents to determine restrictions and other pertinent information; assists ASU research investigators with renewals and periodic reports for grant agencies
  • Works in conjunction with ORSPA and ASU research investigators to ensure timely and accurate post-award accounting of grants and contracts; reviews reconciliation of accounts for compliance of charges in accordance with sponsoring agency/contract conditions and requirements
  • Prepares or participates in the preparation of financial and administrative reports, analyzes and interprets statistical financial and management planning data for decision-making and strategic planning.
  • Maintains knowledge of ASU practices and policies in order to provide daily policy guidance and direction to HIDA staff and faculty in order to ensure compliance to all fiscal matters
  • Ensures the day-to-day successful execution of all assigned fiscal duties.
  • These may include purchasing, processing Workday documents, overseeing employee travel, approving Workday transactions, planning, and account/P-Card reconciliations for numerous accounts.
  • Routinely meets with RA leadership and/or HIDA leadership to review budgets, reforecast accounts, provide guidance and assist in navigating complex purchasing requests.
  • Manages all quarterly forecasting, annual budget submissions and other similar tasks for assigned accounts within required timeframes
  • Coordinates faculty, staff, and student recruitment. requiring familiarity with federal, state, and ASU employment practices.
  • Processes payroll and personnel actions in accordance with HIDA policy and procedures.
  • Manages hiring, offer letters and other HR procedures
  • Coordinates facilities and IT tickets to local operational support teams outside of HIDA
  • Provides tactical administrative and managerial advice to leadership and evaluates related proposed solutions.
  • Manages, supervises and trains assigned staff and/or student workers and monitors work in progress.
  • Reviews job performance consistent with department and university goals.
  • Communicates with other departments and university administrators; resolves or assists with the resolution of problems and sensitive issues.
  • Performs other functions designated by RA leadership or the HIDA Dean's Office.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Evidence of a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business, including knowledge of principles, practices and methods of accounting and budgeting
  • Experience using a financial management system in a higher education environment (Workday, preferred)
  • Experience with Adaptive Planning, ASU's budgeting system
  • Experience preparing, managing and forecasting multiple budgets
  • Experience reconciling accounts
  • Experience in advising on financial management issues, and when appropriate resolves complex problems with stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of grants and contracts procedures and administration of awards.
  • Experience in utilizing knowledge of research administration to identify solutions to issues.
  • Experience in being a problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Concur and ASU travel policies and procedures
  • Experience managing a departmental purchasing card and reconciliations
  • Experience processing and approving scholarships and/or awards
  • Experience assisting in the operation of a fiscally sound environment
  • Experience hiring, writing offer letters, and following HR procedures
  • Familiarity with California employment regulations
  • Evidence of effective customer service skills
  • Experience working in a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines
  • Experience in creating detailed and complex numerical computations and spreadsheets within Excel
  • Experience with Microsoft Office (i.e.. Word, Excel, and Outlook)

Working Environment:
  • Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding and manipulating a computer mouse.
  • Frequently required to stand for varying lengths or time and walk moderate distances to perform work.
  • Regular activities require ability to quickly change priorities which may include and/or are subject to resolution of conflicts.
  • Ability to clearly communicate to perform essential functions.
  • Use office equipment such as a calculator, telephone, computer (monitor, keyboard and mouse), printer, fax and copier.
  • This position receives regular review of objectives.

Department Statement:
The Herberger Institute comprises six schools: ASU FIDM; the School of Art; The Design School; The Sidney Poitier New American Film School; The GAME School; and the School of Music, Dance and Theatre; as well as the ASU Art Museum and the ASU FIDM Museum. With programs ranked top 20 and more than 135 degree and certificate options in art, architecture, dance, design, fashion, film, gaming, media arts and sciences, music, and more, plus expert faculty, state-of-the-art immersive media facilities, notable performing arts venues, and national and international partnerships, the Herberger Institute is a powerhouse of art, culture and design and a model of inclusive excellence.

In a rapidly changing world, design and the arts aren't luxuries—they're essential. At the Herberger Institute, we harness the transformative power of creativity to solve real-world challenges and shape a more compassionate, connected future.

Our students work across disciplines—combining science, engineering, design, storytelling and the arts—to create solutions that benefit people and the planet. We're expanding access, removing barriers and providing the resources students need to thrive, because the talent to shape the future is already here.

Together, we're designing not just new careers, but new systems of care, connection and possibility.
Why work at ASU - https://cfo.asu.edu/why-work-asu: Total compensation at ASU is defined as more than the salary paid for the valuable work performed to support the success of our ASU students. It includes:
  • Salary and wages paid
  • Comprehensive package of affordable benefit plans and programs
  • Access to world-class educational opportunities at deeply discounted rates
  • ASU's total compensation estimator shows the approximate value of your overall compensation 
ASU is a diverse enterprise with a wide variety of work and learning modes, locations and a commitment to sustainability, innovation and employee work-life balance. We are determined to maintain our position as an employer of choice in a competitive labor market.
Flexible work options 
  • Alternative work schedules can include four, 10-hour workdays in a workweek; a nine-day, 80-hour schedule over two workweeks for exempt employees only; and staggered start and stop times.
  • Hybrid work is an arrangement where employees spend a minimum of 60% of their regular workweek at their primary ASU work location. Dean or vice president-level approval is required.

Driving Requirement:Driving is not required for this position.
Location:Off-Campus: Los Angeles
Funding:No Federal Funding

Instructions to Apply:
Current employees, student workers seeking staff opportunities, and students applying for student worker positions must apply directly through the Workday Jobs Hub.
Please use the link below to log in using single sign-on.
https://www.myworkday.com/asu/d/inst/1$9925/9925$19245.htmld
To be considered, your application must include all of the following attachments:
  • Cover letter
  • Resume or CV
Multiple documents may be uploaded in the attachments section. Alternatively, applicants may combine all required materials into a single PDF for submission. Please ensure uploaded documents are clearly labeled and include your name.
Please ensure your resume includes all employment information in month and year format, for example 6/04 to 8/14, along with job title, job duties, and employer name for each position. Your resume should clearly demonstrate how your experience and background meet the minimum and desired qualifications for this position. Incomplete applications or missing required materials may not be considered.
Important: Do not withdraw your application to make edits. Once an application is withdrawn, it cannot be edited, reactivated, or replaced with a new submission. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact HR Talent Acquisition before the posting close date to request edits.
Graduate Assistant, Intern and part-time positions are counted as half time for experience equivalency, meaning one year equals six months of experience.
Only electronic applications will be accepted for this position. By submitting an application, you confirm that the information provided is accurate and complete.

ASU Statement:
Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions inclusive excellence, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe. 

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:
In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456. 
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Employment Verification Statement:
ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.
Background Check Statement: 
ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.
Fingerprint Check Statement:This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.