Assistant Director of Finance

This is a 100% career position located within the Department of Public Health Sciences, a large, complex teaching, research, and clinical department with 5 divisions, 5 centers and programs, over 50 faculty, 250 staff, and 300 student employees. The department has grown by nearly 10% in total FTEs since 2022 and by 21% in Faculty FTEs over the same period, with NIH funding doubling in three years to $28 million annually and total extramural awards exceeding $75 million annually.

About the role

The Assistant Director of Finance serves as the senior financial leader in the Department of Public Health Sciences, providing oversight for departmental budget development, financial reporting, contracts & grants, gifts/endowments, funds flow, reserve management, financial agreements, accounts payable, and contract administration. This position delegates work to the Contracts and Grants Supervisor 2 and manages a team of Finance and Research finance analysts to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial operations for the department.

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, this role requires expertise in financial analysis and planning, including managing complex grants and contracts with state and federal agencies. The position provides strategic financial guidance to the Department Chair, Division Chiefs, and Center Directors, playing a critical role in fiscal planning for the department’s $60M+ operating budget.

This position provides department-level financial oversight and leadership across all fund types, with direct responsibility for budgeting, reserve strategy, accounts payable operations, funds flow, and financial agreements with internal and external partners. The role guides high-level decision-making and fiscal stewardship for the entire Department of Public Health Sciences.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership (35%): Offer guidance to department leadership on fiscal planning, financial health, and long-term sustainability.
• Oversee budget development and management (35%): Lead the creation, monitoring, and reporting of the department’s $60M+ operating budget, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Supervise and manage a finance team (20%): Direct the work of the Contracts and Grants Supervisor 2 and a team of Finance and Research finance analysts, including performance management and professional development.
• Manage contracts, agreements, and compliance (10%): Oversee financial agreements, contracts, and grants, ensuring compliance with university, state, and federal regulations.
• Ensure accurate and compliant financial operations: Oversee accounts payable, funds flow, reserve management, and financial reporting for the department.
• Analyze financial data and provide recommendations: Use financial data to identify trends, anticipate challenges, and develop effective solutions.
• Collaborate across the organization: Work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and external partners, to support the department’s financial goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or equivalent experience/training.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in finance, accounting, or financial management, including experience in budgeting, reporting, and analysis.
• Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff, including providing guidance, performance management, and professional development.
• Experience working with fiscal policies, procedures, and regulations applicable to university, healthcare, or research administration environments.
• Experience managing contracts, grants, and sponsored projects, including pre- and post-award financial administration.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills to independently coordinate and complete complex projects in a matrix organizational structure.
• Ability to work with minimal direction, take initiative, and solve problems quickly while managing changing priorities and demanding workloads.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proficiency in spreadsheet and database applications for financial analysis, fiscal management, and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and accounting policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of federal financial guidelines as stated in Uniform Guidance.
• Knowledge of state and foundation grant/contract budgeting, financial reporting, and fund use policies.
• Understanding of research administration guidelines for federal and non-federal sponsors in a publicly funded university.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements for research administration, including financial conflict of interest.
• Client service orientation with strong listening, communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across the organization at all levels.
• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Experience in a university or academic medical center setting, particularly in research finance or departmental administration.
• Familiarity with extramural funding requirements (NIH, NSF, other federal/state agencies).
• Experience with budget forecasting, FTE planning, and long-range financial planning.
• Experience with Aggie Enterprise (Oracle Financials) or similar financial systems.
• Experience supervising multiple functional areas (e.g., research administration, purchasing, contracts and grants, revenue, accounts payable, accounts receivable).
• Knowledge of University financial and data systems such as Aggie Enterprise, Aggie Expense, Cognos, UC Path, Tableau, and related business practices, policies, and procedures.
• Expert ability to communicate complex findings and recommendations verbally and in writing.
• Expert interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across the organization at all levels, including interacting with diverse populations.
• Expertise in internal control practices and implementing controls that strengthen the organizational control environment.

Skills

• Supervising employees and managing performance.
• Budget preparation, analysis, reconciliation, and forecasting.
• Controlling complex budgets and anticipating potential problems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or ability to learn new finance, accounting, and research-related applications.
• Knowledge of organizational policies and procedures related to procurement, travel, and expense management.

Pay

Monthly salary range: $8,775.00 - $17,375.00. Annual salary range: $105,300.00 - $208,500.00, with a budgeted salary up to $165,000 annually.

Schedule

Full-time (100%) career position with a work schedule of 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. This position is hybrid, involving a mix of on-site and remote work.

Benefits

• High-quality, low-cost medical plans for employees and their families.
• UC-paid dental and vision coverage for employees and their families.
• Retirement plans, including Pension and other Retirement Savings Plans.
• Supplemental insurance options, including life, disability, pet, legal, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Paid leave, including pregnancy and parental leave, family & medical leave, adoption assistance, and pay for family care and bonding.
• Lactation Support Program and family care discounts.
• Employee Well-being resources and programming.
• On-site Employee Assistance Program with free mental health services.
• Generous paid holidays and paid time off/vacation/sick time as outlined in UC policies.
• Continuing Education allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees.
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Standing: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Walking: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Sitting: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Lifting/Carrying (0-25 lbs): Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Pushing/Pulling (0-25 lbs): Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Bending/Stooping: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Squatting/Kneeling: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Twisting: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Reaching overhead: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Sustained attention and concentration: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Complex problem solving/reasoning: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Ability to organize and prioritize: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Communication skills: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Numerical skills: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Constant interaction: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Customer/Patient Contact: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Multiple concurrent tasks: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.