Director of Finance and Operations

About the role

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is seeking a Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) to partner with the department faculty and staff to achieve continued growth, innovation, and excellence in research and teaching.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the department faculty and staff to achieve continued growth, innovation, and excellence in research and teaching.
• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the operations, administration, and finances for the department.
• Ensure sound management of the department and work with the chair and faculty leaders on new and existing programs and initiatives to enable the department to achieve its strategic and operational goals.
• Serve as the liaison to the school and university in all business matters for the department with a consolidated budget of more than $20 million annually.
• Ensure close collaboration and coordination with the leadership of the Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials where many of the department’s faculty conduct research.
• Provide leadership and direction for all financial and administrative functions, including budgeting and financial management, strategic planning, human resources, student services, faculty affairs, information technology, development, facilities/space planning, compliance, and safety.
• Manage department operations, establish the department's organizational structure and environment, and oversee administrative policies and procedures in the department.
• Direct staff and provide leadership to achieve goals and vision of the organization and the day-to-day operations.
• Hire and retain staff, coach employees, and be accountable for their performance.
• Guide faculty supervisors in the interpretation and implementation of human resources policies, procedures, and programs.
• Develop business plans and infrastructure to support research and teaching.
• Provide analysis and review of multi-year plans, including providing alternative methods for achieving goals when necessary.
• Partner with faculty leadership on specific recommendations for current operation and for future development of the organization and lead process improvement.
• Interpret, implement, and ensure compliance with university academic and administrative policies and procedures within an operating unit.
• Recommend new internal policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Oversee and/or manage the finances across all sources for the annual budget cycle, including developing, monitoring, analyzing, forecasting, and reporting.
• Represent the department’s business and academic operations within the school and university.
• Represent the organization to external constituencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience in administrative and financial management, or combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills including conflict resolution.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong financial expertise in accounting, budget planning, and financial forecasting.
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong expertise in business and management computer applications and databases.
• Strong knowledge of industry standards and/or regulatory requirements.
• Subject matter expertise for area(s) of responsibility.
• Ability to multi-task and manage deadlines.