Senior Director, Finance and Administration

Overview

Research, Innovation and Impact (RII) Business Center at the University of Arizona is in search of a Senior Director, Finance & Administration. The Senior Director, Finance & Administration will report to the Vice President for Operations in the office of Research, Innovation & Impact. This position serves as the chief financial and business officer for the college which includes reporting units consisting of museums, university-wide research centers and institutes, and research administration service units with an annual expenditure volume in excess of $80M. The Senior Director leads the Research, Innovation and Impact (RII) Business Center consisting of a team of business professionals that provide budget/account management and financial analysis support to RII Leadership, RII Centers, Institutes, Museums, Core Facilities, and administrative service units.

In collaboration with RII Executive Leadership the role will be responsible for analyzing and preparing recommendations for financial plans, including annual resource allocation, forecasting, and short and long-term financial planning. In addition to conducting ad hoc financial and/or budget analysis for RII decision-making purposes, the selected candidate will develop, interpret, and implement financial and resource planning systems. The Senior Director will work collaboratively with senior leadership and unit directors and will be entrusted with responsibilities that require a considerable degree of skilled leadership, negotiation, and reporting requirements. The incumbent is expected to manage competing demands and demonstrate an exceptional level of facilitation, coordination, and communication.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

Duties & Responsibilities

• Create, implement, and maintain planning, budget, accounting and reporting systems that are relevant, accurate and flexible, and inclusive of University, Foundation and other funding sources.
• Provide financial and management planning and guidance for RII leadership.

• Lead the comprehensive all-funds planning annual process and other budget modifications for RII and reporting units.

• Advise RII leadership, unit directors, and senior management on complex financial and accounting matters, as well as University, Foundation, and sponsor policy and procedures.
• Prepare, analyze, interpret, and present budget and financial information as needed to support decision making and financial planning by the SVPR.

• Provide direction and oversight for financial and business processes and operations within the SVPRI office and reporting units to ensure compliance with University, state, federal and sponsor requirements.

• Ensure sound system of internal and business controls for financial and business processes.
• Lead, supervise, and mentor staff to achieve performance expectations and contributions to the divisions and units success.

• Responsible for making hiring decisions, manages staff and performance, and recommends staffing changes for the Business Center.

• Manage TRIF funding and reporting to ABOR on behalf of the SVPR.
• Manage RII Research Development Fund and institutional commitments including required cost-share/match, internal funding programs, etc.

• Lead and direct other unit-wide activities such as annual fiscal rollover, budget modifications, salary increase programs.

• Implement appropriate internal controls and effective business practices and perform quality reviews to ensure compliance.

• Represent RII division on university committees.

• Perform special duties and projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of research administration.

• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in accounting practices and reporting.

• Experience leading a high-performing team.

• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to accommodate and respond to shifting priorities and multiple, demanding projects, in a manner that is effective and efficient.

• Ability to work on matters of high sensitivity and confidentiality, which requires both diplomacy and discretion.

• Ability to work under deadlines and adapt to changes with minimum notice.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to establish rapport and gain trust of others and to establish cooperative working relationships with a diverse staff, faculty, administrators, students, and the public.

• Ability to be creative, supportive, and thoughtful in problem-solving, considering the diverse and occasionally conflicting needs and perspectives of the faculty, staff, and institution.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with research, professional, and administrative personnel at all levels, including outside organizations and the public.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment; prioritizing tasks and responsibilities and responding positively to unanticipated changes and meeting deadlines.

• Ability to exercise independent judgment to maintain confidentiality of documents and information in an "open-door" environment.

• Demonstrated knowledge of University of Arizona business, human resources, financial, and research policies, practices and enterprise systems.

• Demonstrated proficiency is Microsoft applications and other financial reporting tools.