Job Details

University of Colorado System Administration

Senior Business Operations & Travel Specialist

Position Number: 7125051
Location: Denver, CO
Position Type: Business - Other Business

Senior Business Operations & Travel Specialist

Senior Business Operations & Travel Specialist - 39792 University Staff

Description
Join Our Team and Make a Difference in Higher Education!

At the System Administration office at the University of Colorado, we are dedicated to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our office is committed to fostering a culture where employees find community, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our mission and purpose.

By joining our team, you'll have a direct impact on shaping the future of higher education. In addition to the Office of the Board of Regents, the University of Colorado's system administration includes 19 units that provide essential services to CU's campuses in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver, as well as the Office of the President. While not a part of any one campus, we are proud to serve in the centralized office for the University system. Together, we ensure CU continues to deliver outstanding education, groundbreaking research, and valuable service to our communities.

We believe in creating an environment where the unique experiences and perspectives of everyone are embraced, enriching the work we do and the strategic outcomes we pursue. If you're passionate about making a difference, contributing to a dynamic team, and supporting a mission that matters, we encourage you to apply and be part of our journey. . Learn more about CU System Administration.

Position Summary:

The Budget and Business Operations team is a branch of the Office of the Vice President for Budget and Finance, and Chief Financial Officer at the University of Colorado's System Administration offices. The Budget and Business Operations team provides essential budget, financial, and service functions to all departments and centrally houses the expertise for accounting, procurement, and building operations.

The Senior Business Operations and Travel Specialist provides comprehensive financial and operational support to System Administration departments. This position is responsible for delivering specialized expertise in travel coordination, procurement, and expense management in accordance with University of Colorado, state, and federal policies and guidelines.

The role has two primary areas of responsibility. First, it partners closely with the Board Engagement Events Coordinator to provide guidance, coordination, and support for travel arrangements for the University's nine Regents. Second, the position serves as the System Administration subject matter expert for procurement, travel, and expense policies and reimbursements, and functions as the primary liaison between departments and CU's Procurement Service Center (PSC).

The Senior Business Operations and Travel Specialist works with a high degree of independence and discretion and must maintain a comprehensive understanding of departmental procedures and of university-wide, state, and federal regulations to ensure accuracy, compliance, and effective service delivery.

The Senior Business Operations and Travel Specialist reports to the Assistant Director of Finance and Business Operations and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified Staff System.

Where You Will Work:

Applicants must be Colorado residents or able to relocate to Colorado within a month of starting employment with University of Colorado System Administration.

This role will work one day a week from home and 4 days (Monday-Thursday) in the office at 1800 Grant St, Denver, CO.

Please note, leadership may adjust in-office work requirements with a minimum of three months' notice before any change can be implemented.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

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.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Board of Regents
Acts as the primary fiscal point of contact for the Office of the Board of Regents by coordinating travel arrangements and managing and processing all expense reports and reimbursements, ensuring alignment with the Office of Budget and Finance. Serves as the department's principal authority on CU travel policy and per diem regulations, providing end-to-end technical support for travel logistics and reservations throughout the Regent travel lifecycle.

Executes travel reservations for regents' business travel (including flights, hotel reservations, and car rentals), managing technical travel-related communications, and developing detailed itineraries.
Serves as a liaison and advisor, facilitating collaboration among the Board of Regents, offices within the Office of the President, and campus staff to ensure effective, cohesive working relationships.
Acts as the primary policy interpreter and problem-solver for complex or ambiguous travel issues, exercising independent judgment to interpret policy, resolve gray areas, provide recommendations, and escalate only the most exceptional cases beyond established protocols.

Expense Reimbursement Support:

Provides strategic guidance and oversight to departmental staff utilizing the Concur Travel & Expense System, ensuring thorough documentation review and strict adherence to CU policies; leads training and process improvements to enhance efficiency and compliance.
Leads the resolution of complex travel and expense reimbursement issues by collaborating with employees and cross functional partners and implementing quality assurance controls.

Budget and Finance Business Operations
Fiscal and Operational Support:

Provides comprehensive financial and operational support to System Administration departments by overseeing purchasing, accounting, and related financial transactions; independently resolves issues through policy research, procedural analysis, and coordination with the Procurement Service Center (PSC).
Ensures that all financial transactions are accurately documented and recorded in accordance with CU policies during month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes; identifies discrepancies and prepares corrective journal entries as necessary.
Maintains expert-level knowledge of institutional, state, and federal fiscal and procurement policies and procedures and ensures appropriate routing and execution of budget and financial processes.
Initiates and prepares journal entries for monthly, quarterly, and annual transfers between departments and campuses, as directed by senior finance leadership.

Procurement Support:

Processes purchasing requests from requisition through PO creation and invoice payment, ensuring documentation accuracy and compliance with CU procurement requirements.
Oversees specialized procurement activities for the Office of the Board of Regents, including official printed materials, ensuring cost effectiveness, quality, and adherence to institutional standards.
Serves as a procurement subject matter expert (SME) for the Budget and Finance and Board of Regent offices, providing advanced guidance, mentoring, and policy interpretation to departmental staff and fostering strong collaboration with the Procurement Service Center (PSC).
Establishes and maintains monitoring controls for all active standing purchase orders (SPOs), ensuring timely renewals, appropriate closures, ongoing risk assessment, and uninterrupted operational continuity.
Manages procurement activities in the Office of the Vice President for Budget and Finance and Chief Financial Officer using a procurement card; ensuring compliance with transactions, researching best value options, and completing timely reconciliation and reporting.

Building Operations Coordination:

Provides oversight of building management, including key control, parking access coordination, and repair and maintenance requests, and other duties.
Oversees the preparation, review, and reconciliation of monthly invoices and journal entries for rent and building services, ensuring accuracy and compliance with financial policies.
Serves as the primary Fire Warden and leads emergency preparedness initiatives for System Administration by developing, implementing, and coordinating comprehensive safety, evacuation, and response strategies.
Manages the surplus and disposal program for office supplies and furniture, including process improvements and policy development to support efficiency, compliance, and sustainability goals.

Performs other duties as assigned to support the Office of the Vice President for Budget & Finance and Chief Financial Officer and the Board of Regents office.

What We Offer:

Salary: The anticipated hiring range has been established at $83,000 - $85,000.

CU System Administration takes into consideration a combination of the selected candidate's education, training and experience as it relates to the position, as well as the position's scope and complexity, internal pay equity and external market value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Benefits: With our unparalleled range of benefits, including top-notch healthcare, comprehensive wellness programs, enriching professional development, and a dynamic work-life balance, we ensure your holistic growth and happiness.

No-cost or low-cost medical & dental plan options, some inclusive of IVF assistance.
Disability, Life, Vision Insurance options.
Multiple retirement planning options including a mandatory 401(a) plan where CU contributes 10% of your gross pay, a 401k or 403b plan and a 457 deferred compensation plan.
Pre-tax savings plans, such as Health care and Dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Embrace a healthy work-life balance with ample sick and vacation leave, along with at least 12 paid holidays. This includes a dedicated week off for winter break.
6 weeks of parental leave to adjust to the joys of parenthood.
A tuition benefit program for you and/or your dependents.
Free RTD EcoPass and free onsite parking at our 1800 Grant Street Office.
Many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Additional taxable fringe benefits may be available.

For more information on benefits programs, please review our Comprehensive Benefits Guide.

Access our Total Compensation Calculator to see what your total rewards could be at CU. (This position is a University Staff position)

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Please include all relevant experience in your resume to be accurately assessed against these qualifications. You must meet all minimum requirements at the time of application to be considered for this role.

Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, public administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and progressive professional experience.
Four (4) or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in business operations, procurement, travel, expense management, or financial administration.
Experience serving as a primary resource or liaison for business operations functions, including coordination with central service units or shared service centers.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain policies and procedures to a wide range of audiences.
High level of proficiency with business and financial systems and related technology tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working in a public higher education or governmental environment with complex regulatory and compliance requirements.
Familiarity with University of Colorado policies, systems, and tools, including procurement and travel platforms (PeopleSoft Finance, PeopleSoft HCM, Concur, and Cognos software)
Demonstrated expertise supporting executive-level or board-level stakeholders, including responsibility for high-visibility or mission-critical travel coordination.
Advanced knowledge of procurement, travel, and expense policies, including reimbursement compliance and exception handling.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the business, financial, and organizational structure of CU.
Knowledge of and the ability to utilize PeopleSoft Finance and HR, Concur, and Cognos.
Knowledge of Finance, Accounting, and Procurement best practices.
Customer service skills include actively listening, addressing customer needs, defusing tense situations, and maintaining an open, flexible, and friendly demeanor.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other University personnel, and the public.
Ability to work independently, under pressure, manage multiple concurrent tasks and responsibilities, and deal with changing priorities while maintaining personal effectiveness.
Computer skills, including utilizing Microsoft Office programs (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) with advanced skills in Microsoft Excel.
Ability to learn and experiment with new software and systems.
Skilled in written and oral communications, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Ability to navigate a complex political environment.
Ability to handle and maintain sensitive and confidential material.
Ability to follow procedures.

How to Apply:

For full consideration completed applications must be submitted by Monday, May 11, 2026. Please attach the following as separate documents to your application:

A cover letter identifying the job specific qualifications you possess and interest in the position.
A resume including all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against the qualifications listed in the posting.

Please ensure you check the "Job Specific Attachments" box next to each document on the "Required Documents" page of the application for the appropriate documents to be attached.

Per the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, you are not required to provide your date of birth, dates of school attendance, or dates of graduation on your resume or cover letter. If an application requires additional materials, such as a transcript or certification, you may redact identifying information relating to your date or birth, dates of school attendance, or dates of graduation.

Reference checking is a standard step in our hiring process. You may be asked to provide contact information, including email addresses and phone numbers, for up to five references as part of the search process for this position.

*Please note: All application materials must be submitted through CU Careers; emailed materials will not be considered.*

Sponsorship Statement:

We are unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that a verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

ADA Statement:

We are committed to an inclusive and barrier-free search process. We provide accommodations for applicants requesting accommodation through the search process such as alternative formats of this posting. Individuals with disabilities in need of accommodations throughout the search process should contact the ADA Coordinator at: systemhr@cu.edu.

Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV

Job Category: Finance and Accounting

Primary Location: Denver Department: S0001 -- System Administration - 50021 - Budget and Finance

Schedule: Part-time

Posting Date: Apr 30, 2026

Unposting Date: May 12, 2026, 5:59:00 AM Posting Contact Name: System HR Recruiting Posting Contact Email: SystemHR.Recruiting@cu.edu Position Number: 00705595

To apply, visit https://cu.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=39792&lang=en