New

CAGT & ICD Business Manager

University of Georgia

retirement plan

United States, Georgia, Athens

Nov 13, 2026

Posting Details

Posting Number	S16042P
Working Title	CAGT & ICD Business Manager
Department	CAES-Crop & Soil Sciences
About the University of Georgia	Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university ( https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,200 faculty and more than 7,900 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 44,000 students including over 33,000 undergraduates and over 11,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 20 schools and colleges, including the newly established School of Medicine and the Victoria Kay Investor School of Nursing.
About the College/Unit/Department
College/Unit/Department website
Posting Type	External
Retirement Plan	TRS or ORP
Employment Type	Employee
Benefits Eligibility	Benefits Eligible
Full/Part time	Full Time
Work Schedule
Additional Schedule Information	Monday through Friday, 8AM-5PM.
Advertised Salary	Commensurate with Experience
Posting Date	11/09/2026
Open until filled	Yes
Closing Date
Proposed Starting Date	01/01/2027
Special Instructions to Applicants
Location of Vacancy	Athens Area
EEO Policy Statement	The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu).
USG Core Values Statement	The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Position Information

Classification Title	Business Services Pro III
FLSA	Exempt
FTE	1.00
Minimum Qualifications	Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience
Preferred Qualifications	Sponsored programs experience: pre- and post-award administration on federal grants, including allowability, cost share and closeout, preferably in a university research setting. UGA or higher-ed systems knowledge: working knowledge of UGA's financial, HR and payroll systems and CAES policies, plus experience managing more than one fund type (state, Foundation and sponsored). Building and leading a business office: experience setting up workflows and internal controls from scratch, and supervising or training business staff.
Position Summary	The CAGT & ICD Business Manager establishes and manages the business and sponsored programs function of the Center for Applied Genetic Technologies ( CAGT) and the Institute for Crop Design ( ICD). ICD is a new institute planned to reach the size of the Center for Applied Genetic Technologies. The nascent Institute of Crop Design ( ICD) will initially house five tenure track faculty lines, each carrying associated lab and research staff and non-tenure-track Research Scientists, and roughly 78 people at full staff. The Center for Applied Genetic Technologies ( CAGT) HR department carries 78 people - supporting 9 tenured and tenure-track faculty whose appointments sit in three home departments: Crop and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology, and Horticulture. This role carries both CAGT's and ICD's own business operations including startup significant funds management, faculty onboarding, non-sponsored activity and awards outside of the Peanut Innovation Lab. This role holds approval authority for its transactions. It works to the standards set by CAES and the Business Support Leader for Research Centers and Institutes and directs the work of business staff.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies	Knowledge of sponsored project administration, including proposal development, award management, compliance, and financial reporting. Knowledge of university financial operations, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic resource planning. Ability to interpret and apply university, state, federal, and sponsor policies, regulations, and procedures. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage complex operational priorities in a dynamic research environment. Ability to develop, implement, and assess operational processes and internal controls. Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with faculty, staff, students, sponsors, and external stakeholders. Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills, including the ability to coordinate staff operations and manage personnel functions. Ability to exercise sound independent judgment and maintain confidentiality in sensitive administrative and personnel matters. Proficiency in enterprise financial and administrative systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications. Advanced knowledge of UGA systems including OneUSG Connect, UGAmart, OneSource, GradStatus, CAPA, and Banner. Ability to set and manage priorities for the center's business operations, balancing multiple competing deadlines while directing staff workload to keep work accurate, compliant, and on time.
Physical Demands	Typical office environment Prolonged periods of sitting or standing
Is driving a responsibility of this position?	No
Is this a Position of Trust?	Yes
Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?	Yes
Does this position require a P-Card?	No
Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?	No
Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?	No
Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)	Yes
Credit and P-Card policy	Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
Background Investigation Policy	Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Establishment and Maintenance of the Institute's (ICD) and Center's (CAGT) Business Function

Establish the Institute's business function from the ground up: set up department IDs, transaction workflows, approval thresholds, recordkeeping and reporting practice, utilizing the Center for Applied Genetic Technologies practices as a starting point.
Maintain and refine existing business practices within the Center for Applied Genetic Technologies
Maintain the financial and operational reporting for CAGT's and ICD's Director which they rely on for financial and programmatic decisions, including startup fund tracking, equipment purchases, event cost management, and commitment reporting. Maintain current reporting practices for CAGT Director and faculty.
Work with the CAGT Director, ICD Director, department heads, unit directors and the CAES Business Office to establish the practice by which responsibility for faculty accounts transfer into the Institute from faculty home departments and carry out those transfers.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Financial Management of the Institute (ICD) and Center (CAGT)

Manage ICD's and CAGT's day-to-day financial operations across legislative, state, Foundation and sponsored fund types.
Prepare the annual budget with the Directors; monitor spending rate, adjust allocation and oversee yearend closing.
Hold approval authority for the Institute's transactions: review and approve expenditures, requisitions, payroll actions and purchasing card activity.
Monitor, review and administer all ICD and CAGT accounts and ensure the accuracy of system financial data.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Sponsored Programs Administration

Administer pre- and post-award activity for CAGT and ICD faculty on awards outside the Peanut Innovation Lab: proposal budgets and justifications, award setup, spending and period-of-performance monitoring, cost share and closeout at the direction of the Business Support Leader for the Research Centers and Institutes along with CAES Contracts and Grants.
Determine allowability and allocability on Institute transactions, referring policy interpretation to the Business Support Leader of the Research Centers and Institutes.
Coordinate with the Peanut Innovation Lab Project Administrator, who carries that award's sponsored administration, so that the Institute's portfolio is reported as one whole to the Director.
Produce sponsored reporting for the Directors of CAGT and ICD, including expiring funds exposure.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Faculty and Staff Onboarding and Growth

Support faculty onboarding as the ICD grows toward its planned complement: account setup, startup fund tracking, transfer of existing awards, and establishment of accounts for the lab and research staff and nontenure-track Research Scientists attached to each new faculty line.
Maintain current onboarding and staff hiring and records within CAGT.
Determine the staffing structure and reporting lines required to support the Institute at full complement and recommend their creation against funding.
Report defined workload indicators to the Business Support Leader, Research Centers and Institutes each quarter - faculty count, active award count, annual sponsored expenditure, proposal volume and transaction volume.
Establish assigned faculty and laboratory portfolios and ensure HR, payroll, purchasing, financial, and travel transactions are completed accurately and timely.
Provide input on hiring and participate in the recruitment and selection of Center and Institute business staff.
Train staff on unit procedures, UGA financial and HR systems, sponsored project requirements, and applicable policies.
Provide guidance and oversight for student and temporary employee hiring, payroll, position management, and termination actions processed by Center staff.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Human Resources and Payroll Administration

Manage HR and payroll administration for CAGT and ICD's benefited staff and postdoctoral employees.
Consult with faculty and the Directors regarding staffing needs, position funding, salary commitments, appointment periods, and the financial feasibility of new or continuing positions.
Initiate, prepare, review, and process position actions and hiring proposals for benefited staff and postdoctoral positions.
Manage employment actions involving compensation, payroll funding, transfers, extensions, reappointments, supplemental pay, and terminations.
Monitor payroll distributions and funding end dates for benefited staff and postdoctoral employees and coordinate adjustments needed to prevent payroll errors or inappropriate charges.
Coordinate with CAES Human Resources, University Human Resources, Payroll, and other central offices to resolve employment and payroll matters.
Oversee employment-related immigration processes and coordinate with the Office of Global Engagement regarding international employees and visiting research scholars.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Standards, Compliance and Supervision

Apply the standards, procedures and internal controls set by the CAES Business office and University and maintain staff awareness within CAGT and ICD of standards and updates.
Advise the Director and faculty on changes in University, College and sponsor policy.
Direct the work of Institute business staff as positions are created and establish delineation of duties as the function grows beyond one person.

Percentage of time