Business Operations Specialist

Business Operations Specialist

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by May 4, 2026. The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.

The Grants Operations team within the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences supports college-wide research, grant, and contract efforts, and promotes interdisciplinary efforts within and external to our college/university community. The Grants Operations team oversees all extramural funding (grants and contracts) for the McCausland College, and external funding has increased significantly in recent years. The Grants Operations team provides pre-award and post-award administrative services for all sponsored grants and contracts and also serves as a liaison with the university offices of Sponsored Awards Management (SAM) and Grants and Funds Management (GFM).

The Business Operations Specialist will manage business operations and human resources for the Grants Operations team (this includes 35 academic units and designated centers/service units). Due to the recent growth of extramural funding, this position is critical for the continued successful business operations. Under general supervision of the Grants Operations team, the Business Operations Specialist will be responsible for completing grant-related HR actions, administrative, budgetary, and logistics support for assigned programs or departments within the college. The position will perform professional administrative and managerial functions to support the timely, efficient, and successful operation of assigned areas. Other key components of this position may include, but are not limited to, serving as a liaison to university departments, coordinating travel, purchasing, working with applicable internal and external vendors, and monitoring compliance in coordination with Grants Operations team members. This position will be based in Columbia at the USC McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. The Business Operations Specialist position is a 12-month, full-time FTE position with benefits as a part of the Grants Operations team.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience - Requires a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities - Understanding of basic accounting and financial management principles. Organizational skills and time management skills needed to meet deadlines. Analytical skills needed to identify areas in which spending can be reduced and efficiencies achieved. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Required to conduct business lawfully and ethically by consistently adhering to compliance policies, procedures, and regulations. Knowledge of basic computer software, including Microsoft Office products as well as Adobe and other web-based applications.

Job Duties

Job Duty - Manage human resources for the Grants Operations team. Will complete all grant-related HR and hiring actions for assigned units to include the full hiring life cycle from creating the position to onboarding the employee. Hiring actions may include, but are not limited to, summer compensation, supplemental pay, actions for staff, faculty and students as well as annual reappointments for Research Grant Positions (RGP) and temporary staff hires/rehires. Will process position status changes and separations/terminations; and other HR related actions as needed.

Essential Function - Yes

Percentage of Time - 40

Job Duty - Payroll: Monthly review and distribution of effort and payroll reports for accuracy, taking action to research and correct any errors. Assist the Grants Operations team with bi-annual time and effort reporting and the annual HERD survey. Initiate/process compensation, salary increases, account changes, and payroll retro funding changes. Assist with payroll projections to ensure grant funds are spent in alignment with the approved budget and end dates.

Essential Function - Yes

Percentage of Time - 30

Job Duty - Support and contribute to the Grant Operations team's fiscal management activities, tracking performance according to annual goals and budget allocations. As needed, track project expenditures with assigned grant staff, Grants and Funds Management office, and other appropriate university departments to ensure compliance with purchasing and procurement procedures. Maintain a purchasing and travel card to assist with purchases and travel arrangements for assigned projects or units including compliance, monthly verification and routine training. Reconcile all purchases and procure and track all invoices for processing in a timely manner. Monitor and see purchasing issues through to resolution.

Essential Function - Yes

Percentage of Time - 25

Job Duty - Other duties as assigned to support the Grants Operations team.

Essential Function - Yes

Percentage of Time - 5

Position Attributes Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive - No

Hazardous weather category - Non-Essential

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies - 2

Desired Start Date

Job Open Date - 03/20/2026

Job Close Date - 05/04/2026

Open Until Filled - No

Special Instructions to Applicant - Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by May 4, 2026. The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to: Health and Life Insurance Retirement Programs Paid Tuition Dependent Scholarships Annual Leave Sick Leave 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday) Paid Parental Leave Professional Development Opportunities Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.

Quicklink for Posting -

EEO Statement - The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.