Business Services Principal Professional

Position Details
University of Colorado | Denver
Official Title: Business Services Principal Professional
Working Title: Business Services Principal Professional
FTE: Full Time 1.0 100% FTE | Hybrid
Salary Range: $73,100 - $76,100
Position #00846559- Requisition #39650
Join the University of Colorado Denver

About the University of Colorado - Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We're the state's premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top ranked bachelors, master's, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners-at any stage of their life and career-for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state's largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $800 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.

Job Description
* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers *

The Business Services Principal Professional will manage all aspects of day-to-day operations of the University of Colorado Denver Center for Psychedelic Research (UCDCPR) and ensure smooth operation, including supervising the center's part-time staff and student workers. This position will support the clinical research programs, develop processes for efficient operations of the programs, and support research assistants. The position will provide fiscal support to manage the department finances, including operating budgets, auxiliary accounts, gift accounts, and clinical research accounts. The Principal Professional will also participate with center leadership in strategic planning, institutional research, risk management, and community outreach.

This is a four year, limited-term position, with potential for extension dependent on gift funds.

Business Services Principal Professional
What you will do:

Department Operations

• Apply, disseminate, and lead the implementation of policies to guide faculty, staff and student employees in office, HR, Finance, and procurement processes; provide training to the center's faculty and staff regarding university policies and center procedures.
• Develop and maintain department training materials and guides. Maintain detailed and accurate knowledge and records of the center's operations and processes.
• Develop processes for managing the center's office operation, improves organization of the center's office. Consult and notify constituents of changes that would affect them before the changes happen (if possible)
• Supervise research assistants and office staff. Hire, onboard, train, and direct research assistants and staff. Ensure all research assistants and staff have the training and system access they need for delegated responsibilities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for questions from faculty, research assistants, staff, research participants, and the public. Direct inquiries to the appropriate university office and act as liaison to resolve issues when needed.
• Meet with center leadership, particularly the Associate Director, to provide operational updates, discuss personnel or process concerns, and recommend solutions.
• Develop short- and long-range strategic plans that align operations with projected needs and future growth.
• Respond to in-office emergencies by determining an appropriate course of action and promptly contacting needed support.
• Manage and maintain the center's website and social media content, including postings, newsletters, and internal communications.
• Liaise with the CLAS Dean's Office and other campus partners such as Procurement, Advancement, and HR.
• Oversee the center's IT needs, including troubleshooting issues and coordinate with CLAS IT for support, hardware setup, maintenance, and equipment updates.
• Manage all rooming requests both proprietary and EMS request.
• Coordinate with facilities, security, maintenance, and housekeeping on floor needs.
• Maintain the departmental Access Matrix, manage access procedures and records, and oversee key distribution. Handle floor incidents and work with appropriate university offices to ensure resolution.
• Oversee purchasing and inventory for supplies, furniture, and equipment.
• Plan and coordinate center-sponsored events such as celebrations, orientations, symposia, poster sessions, prospective donor lunches, and new hire meals.

Department Budget Management and Fiscal Operation

• Analyze and project the center's annual budget based on program costs and operational needs. Review findings with center leadership, set the annual operating budget, and allocate expenses accordingly.
• Track and manage additional department budgets, including grant and gift budgets.
• Process stipend and insurance support payments for funded research assistants.
• Reconcile monthly budget activity and line items. Prepare annual and end-of-project financial reports. Identify errors or concerns and collaborate with CLAS Finance to make corrections and reallocate funds.
• Advise center leadership on financial compliance requirements. Develop and update center financial guidelines and create resources to support consistent practices.
• Process and track payments using SPOs, Payment Vouchers, Non-Catalog Forms, etc. This includes payments to independent contractors, honorariums, and other goods and services not available through CU Marketplace.

Clinical Research Support

• Provide operational support to the center leadership on clinical research.
• Maintain research assistant records and required documentation.
• Coordinate logistics and operations for orientations, training, and risk management.
• Assign and manage office space for research assistants.
• Coordinate research assistant appointments.
• Serve as a key contact for clinical research inquiries from students, faculty, staff, and the public. Direct questions appropriately and coordinate issue resolution with university offices when needed.

Department Development

• Foster a workplace culture where people feel respected, supported, and valued, and where varied perspectives strengthen the center's work and mission.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Bachelor's degree in health/behavioral sciences, business, business administration, finance, accounting, education, social sciences, healthcare administration, public administration, communications, information systems, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
• Three (3) years of professional level experience managing, administering, or coordinating department-level office and business operations in a research and higher education environment, which includes managing, tracking, analyzing, and reconciling multiple budgets.

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications)

• Master's or terminal degree in health/behavioral sciences, business, business administration, finance, accounting, education, social sciences, healthcare administration, public administration, communications, information systems, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
• Experience as manager, supervisor, work leader, staff authority or project/program administrator.
• Experience developing and implementing work processes.
• Experience with HR/payroll processes and using HCM or similar human resources management systems.
• Experience with CU Data or similar budgeting/data information systems.
• Experience with compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Experience sharing programmatic updates via websites, newsletters, and other public facing documentation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Demonstrate a commitment to providing outstanding customer service skills.
• Demonstrate an exceptional understanding of access and engagement with a commitment to developing equitable practices.
• Ability to perform duties independently without guidance and direction from other professionals.
• Ability to articulate the University's mission and the importance of the strategic plan.
• Ability to manage ambiguous situations and/or information and translate them into results.
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional management and leadership qualities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously while maintaining a high attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively plan and establish program goals and objectives.
• Demonstrate progressive supervisory qualities.

Conditions of Employment

• This position follows a hybrid work structure where employees can work remotely or from the office, as needed, based on demands of specific tasks or departmental work preferences. Working from the office is encouraged when working on tasks that require a high degree of collaboration.

Mental, Physical, and/or Environmental Requirements

• This position may be performed in a hybrid or remote environment, requiring the ability to work effectively in a remote setting. This includes maintaining a dedicated workspace free of excessive noise or distractions, reliable internet connectivity, and the ability to participate in virtual meetings for extended periods. Employees must be able to independently manage time, remain stationary for prolonged computer-based work, and transport necessary equipment (such as a laptop and peripherals) between their remote work location and the office as needed.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at workplaceengagement@ucdenver.edu.

Employment Sponsorship
Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the future for visa sponsorship.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $73,100 - $76,100.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation. Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted until Apr 22, 2026, 11:59:00 PM. Preference will be given to complete applications received by April 22, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Required Application Materials:
To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:

• A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications
• A current CV/resume
• List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references)

Questions should be directed to Michelle Comstock, Search Committee Chair, at michelle.comstock@ucdenver.edu.

Background Check Policy
The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.