Director of Division Budget & Operations

About the role

The Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration serves as a strategic leader responsible for the financial stewardship, planning, and operational administration of the Texas Academy of Mathematics & Science (TAMS) and the Honors College. This position provides executive oversight of budgeting, financial analysis, forecasting, reporting, and resource allocation to ensure effective and efficient use of college resources. As a key member of the Dean’s leadership team, the Assistant Dean collaborates closely with academic and administrative leaders to develop and implement annual operating and academic budgets, assess resource needs for existing and emerging initiatives, and identify sustainable funding strategies that support the department’s mission, priorities, and long‑term financial health.

Responsibilities

• Report budgetary, fiscal, and personnel status and department activities to administrators; make projections and reports on budget status.
• Direct and oversee Finance and Administration operations, ensuring efficient, responsive, and customer‑focused service delivery while fostering positive relationships with faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as the College’s Compliance Officer by interpreting and communicating university, college, and administrative policies and procedures; provide accurate, timely guidance and ensure compliance.
• Direct and perform financial, operational, and cost analyses; collect and interpret data; prepare reports, forecasts, and recommendations to support strategic planning and sound budget management.
• Act as primary liaison to university and system offices, external agencies, and other stakeholders, ensuring timely communication and effective coordination.
• Manage competing demands and changing priorities while maintaining productivity, accuracy, and responsiveness; lead the work of others and implement new responsibilities, processes, and initiatives.
• Oversee administration of scholarship programs, implementing processes, coordinating award activities, providing guidance, and ensuring accurate, equitable, and timely distribution of funds.
• Maintain oversight of departmental spending and budget performance by tracking expenditures, evaluating budget utilization, and implementing appropriate controls.
• Lead process‑improvement initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, strengthen service delivery, reduce administrative burden, and improve user experiences.
• Identify, evaluate, and support opportunities to strengthen TAMS and Honors College’s financial position through new funding sources, revenue‑generating initiatives, and strategic resource development efforts.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in accounting, finance, or business administration.
• Four years of experience in financial administration, sponsored project, or budget management, or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, budgeting, administration, or operations, including supervisory experience.
• Leadership experience within a higher education institution, academic unit, or similarly complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing multi‑million‑dollar budgets and long‑range financial plans.
• Experience with strategic planning, resource allocation, financial forecasting, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
• Knowledge of university budgeting models, state appropriations, tuition and fee structures, grants, and auxiliary funding sources.
• Experience leading operational functions such as human resources, facilities, contracts, procurement, risk management, or business services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and business administration principles.
• Knowledge of higher‑education fiscal, administrative, and operational policies, procedures, and practices, or ability to rapidly acquire and apply such knowledge.
• Knowledge of applicable safety, security, and risk‑management practices related to assigned responsibilities.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and strategic‑thinking skills.
• Proficiency with financial systems, enterprise software, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Skilled in project management, organizational planning, and process improvement.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships and effectively engage diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to lead and coordinate multiple priorities, projects, and personnel in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to analyze complex information, develop sound recommendations, and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential matters with discretion, tact, and professionalism.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and organizational needs while maintaining high accuracy and effectiveness.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across all levels of the organization.

Pay

$95,436 annually

Schedule

Monday‑Friday, 8:00 am‑5:00 pm. This role may require occasional evening and weekend hours to support key events, with advance notice; flexible scheduling options are available.

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.