Travel and Budget Specialist

Monday - Friday; 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks that include numerous retail and restaurant discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates for performing arts events.

The Study Abroad Office ( SAO) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the primary unit charged with study abroad program development, oversight, and advising. SAO creates transformative global learning experiences for all students to pursue their Carolina education at sites around the world. UNC Chapel Hill is a national leader in study abroad participation and ranks in the top 20 among all U.S. higher education institutions for annual study abroad enrollment. Based within the College of Arts & Sciences, the office oversees study abroad and domestic study programs that enroll students from the College as well as other UNC Schools. Programs include student exchange, direct-enroll, partner provider, and UNC faculty-led programs, and educational opportunities that encompass traditional courses, internships, research, service and virtual programs. The SAO employs a staff of approximately 20 fulltime professionals and manages a recharge center and total budget of $30MM, consisting of $15MM in cash and an additional $15MM in expense transactions. The Study Abroad Office serves approximately 2000 outgoing undergraduate students plus over 300 incoming students from UNC's global partners. The College has articulated a goal of increasing outgoing undergraduate participation to 50 percent. To accomplish this goal, the office collaborates with academic and administrative units throughout the College, as well as with other UNC schools in support the University's global mission. The Office is affiliated with UNC Global and is located in the FedEx Global Education Center. Though based within the College of Arts & Sciences, the office serves as a resource for the entire Carolina community.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

The primary purpose of this position is to support and oversee budget planning, travel compliance, and reconciliation for a diverse portfolio of study abroad programs managed by the Study Abroad Office. This position collaborates with Program Directors and faculty to build, maintain, and analyze program budgets that determine student billing amounts for faculty-led programs. The position also assists in reconciling faculty-led program budgets and investigating financial discrepancies, ensuring transactions are appropriately classified and compliant with University policies. This role supports all domestic and international travel for faculty, staff, and students by assisting with travel requests and expense reports in compliance with University, State, and Federal guidelines. The position serves as the office's subject matter expert for the Concur travel system, coordinating training sessions, providing one-on-one support to travelers, and advocating for Study Abroad travel needs in campus-wide travel forums. The position plays a key role in internal process improvement efforts, including the creation and maintenance of travel and budget standard operating procedures. It serves as a resource for Study Abroad staff, offering policy guidance and budgetary insight to support accurate, efficient, and compliant financial operations across the office's global programming.

High school diploma or equivalency and one year of experience in accounting work; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
Strong attention to detail, organization, and documentation.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to create and manage moderately complex spreadsheets (ie, formulas, lookups, etc).
Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain and interpret financial policies and procedures.

Knowledge of UNC financial policies, chartfield strings, travel policies, and procedures.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.