Business Coordinator

Job Description Summary & Additional Information

Organization's Summary Statement:

The Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) in the University of Maryland School of Public Policy is seeking a highly organized and service-oriented Business Coordinator to join its Finance team.

The Business Coordinator provides comprehensive business and financial administrative support to CGS, with primary responsibility for coordinating domestic and international travel and supporting the business needs of faculty, researchers, students, and project teams.

The Business Coordinator serves as CGS’ primary coordinator for business travel, assisting travelers throughout the process—from travel planning and University pre-approvals through expense documentation, reimbursement, and reconciliation. The position helps ensure that transactions are completed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with University, sponsor, and funding requirements.

Beyond travel, the Business Coordinator supports a diverse portfolio of business activities associated with CGS’ research and programs, including procurement, purchase orders, vendor transactions, service agreements, reimbursements, research-related purchases, external conferences and workshops, and financial transactions associated with facilities and operational needs.

This position reports to the Assistant Director of Finance/Director of Finance and works collaboratively with CGS faculty, researchers, project teams, Finance and Operations staff, School of Public Policy administrative offices, central University offices, and external vendors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary coordinator for domestic and international CGS business travel, including travel requests, pre-approvals, arrangements, expense reports, reimbursements, and required documentation.
• Provide responsive guidance and support to faculty, staff, researchers, students, and other travelers navigating University travel requirements.
• Coordinate purchasing and procurement activities supporting CGS research projects and programs, including purchase requisitions, purchase orders, research-related goods and services, and vendor transactions.
• Coordinate with vendors and research teams to obtain quotes, scopes of work, invoices, agreements, and other documentation required to complete business transactions.
• Support service agreements, vendor agreements, honoraria, and other non-employment business arrangements.
• Process and monitor employee, faculty, student, guest, and other authorized business reimbursements.
• Provide financial, procurement, contracting, and payment support for external CGS conferences, workshops, research convenings, stakeholder meetings, and research dissemination activities.
• Support purchasing and financial transactions involving capital and non-capital assets, operational materials, facilities services, space-related needs, and other authorized business expenditures.
• Track transactions from initiation through approval and payment, proactively following up on outstanding documentation, approvals, invoices, and other actions.
• Maintain organized, complete, and audit-ready business and financial records.
• Assist with developing procedures, checklists, templates, trackers, and other resources that improve the efficiency and consistency of CGS business processes.
• Work collaboratively with CGS Finance and Operations, research teams, the School of Public Policy, central University offices, and external vendors to resolve business and transaction issues.

About the Center for Global Sustainability:

The Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) is a research center within the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. CGS conducts research and analysis focused on climate, energy, and sustainability challenges and works with partners across academia, government, civil society, and other sectors.

The Business Coordinator will join CGS’ administrative team and support the business infrastructure that enables faculty, researchers, students, and project teams to carry out the Center’s research and programmatic activities.

Preferences:

• Experience working in higher education, a research organization, government, nonprofit, or similarly complex administrative environment.
• Experience coordinating domestic and international business travel.
• Experience supporting sponsored projects, grants, contracts, or externally funded research activities.
• Experience with procurement, purchase orders, service agreements, vendor transactions, and reimbursements.
• Experience supporting faculty, researchers, or research/project teams.
• Experience providing business support for conferences, workshops, or other externally facing events.
• Familiarity with enterprise financial, procurement, expense, or travel management systems.
• Experience with University of Maryland administrative systems and business processes.
• Experience maintaining financial documentation in an audit- or compliance-focused environment
• The successful candidate will demonstrate strong organizational and time-management skills, attention to detail, and an ability to independently manage multiple transactions from initiation through completion.
• The position requires strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to explain administrative requirements clearly to individuals with varying levels of familiarity with University processes. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to responsive customer service and the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, researchers, staff, students, vendors, and administrative partners.
• The successful candidate must also be able to exercise sound judgment, appropriately handle confidential or sensitive information, maintain accurate and audit-ready documentation, and effectively use or learn financial, procurement, travel, expense, and administrative systems.

Licenses/ Certifications: N/A

Physical Demands: 

• This position is primarily performed in a professional office environment and involves extensive computer and administrative work. The employee must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods; frequently operate a computer and other standard office equipment; and communicate effectively in person and through telephone, video conferencing, and electronic communication.
• The position may require occasional movement throughout University facilities to attend meetings, coordinate business activities, or support events and may occasionally require moving or transporting documents, supplies, event materials, or other business-related items weighing up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Information: UMD will not sponsor the successful candidate for work authorization in the United States Now or in the future.

Required Application Materials:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• References

Best Consideration Date: October 23, 2026

Posting Close Date: N A

Open Until Filled: Yes

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: One (1) year of professional human resources, payroll, finance, accounting, procurement, or travel coordination experience.

Other: Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
Knowledge of human resources policies and procedures, and federal, state, and other applicable human resources related laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office and Google Suite products.
Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.

Job Risks

Not Applicable to This Position

Department

PLCY-Center for Global Sustainability

Worker Sub-Type

Staff Contractual (C2) (Fixed Term)

Salary Range

$58,800 - $70,560

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization.  Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

Resources

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