Business Operations Manager

About USC and Residential Education

Situated in the dynamic heart of Los Angeles—where innovation, culture, and history converge—USC stands at the crossroads of global influence, soon to host the LA 2028 Olympics and other world-renowned events. The Residential Education staff at the University of Southern California plays a vital role in shaping the student experience for over 9,500 residents living within USC Housing.

Within this energetic and prestigious environment, the Business Operations Manager serves as a full-time professional who helps transform residential spaces into thriving communities. The Business Operations Manager is essential to fostering connection, support, and leadership among students, while cultivating a sense of purpose and pride in Trojan life. As a proud member of the Big Ten, USC’s rich traditions, spirited culture, and expansive opportunities provide a powerful backdrop for the Business Operation Manager’s work—impacting lives, building community, and advancing the values that define the Trojan Family.

Job Summary:

The Business Operations Manager performs a variety of administrative services critical to the operations for the Office for Residential Education (ResEd). As part of the ResEd Leadership team, this position reports to the Director of Residential Education and supervises the Administrative Assistant and ResEd student workers. Additionally, this position supports the financial operations for Campus Activities, which includes Undergraduate Student Government, Graduate Student Government, Late Night ‘SC, and Recognized Student Organizations.

The Business Operations Manager will oversee the administrative operations of a multi-faceted department including fiscal management and office management.  This position is responsible for the budget planning process and budget projections along with the administration and management of fiscal resources to meet the day-to-day needs of the department. Regular/recurring responsibilities will include processing and approving purchase orders, requisitions, travel reimbursements, and tracking and analyzing expenditures of the Residential Education staff.  The incumbent manages our main and satellite offices’ operations, including the supervision of the Administrative Assistant who helps coordinate the office equipment, spaces, technology, resources, and overall customer service.

Job Accountabilities:

• Develop, monitor, and manage departmental budget in the USC Financial Management Platforms, Workday and Concur. Reconcile expenses against monthly statements and track payments of invoices, purchase orders, and requisitions.  Identify new vendors and negotiate rates for Residential Education materials, event rentals, and space reservations.
• Manage the operations of the main office and satellite offices within USC Housing communities. 
• Management of technology including an inventory of cell phones, desktop computers, laptops, tablets, a conference room television/webcast system, and operationally specific pieces of equipment, and software systems.
• Hire, train, and supervise one full-time staff and approximately 5-7 student workers.  Monitor reported work hours and reconcile against budgeted and expensed hours.
• Supervise, train, and provide guidance to staff regarding fiscal operations. Monitor work and performance related to managing fiscal operations.
• Maintain compliance records, ensuring that all staff have completed any required university and division training or certifications.
• Manage the Administrative Assistant’s responsibilities when they are out of the office.
• In addition, the successful candidate will demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree
• Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Field of Expertise

• Experience in supervising administrative operations of multi-faceted department, preferably within a university setting
• Office management experience combined with specialized knowledge of university policies and procedures, preferably those of USC
• Office management combined with experience in budget administration
• Experience within a student affairs, residential life, or university housing office
• Familiarity with Workday Financial platforms

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree
• Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience

• 5 years
• Experience in supervising administrative operations of a multi-faceted department, preferably within a university setting

Salary Range: The annual base salary range for this position is $98,721.31–$121,706.62. When determining an offer, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate’s experience, education, training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual requirements, grant funding, and market conditions.

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Required Education: Bachelor's degree - Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Required Experience: - Five years - Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum experience