Director of Finance-CHS

Summary:

The VCU College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) invites applications for the Director of Finance. A vibrant place to work, where discovery and creativity go hand-in-hand, the university and CHS play an integral role in the vitality of its home city of Richmond, Virginia. VCU and CHS are focused on achieving equity through policies and practices that support diversity in race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and other characteristics.

The Director of Finance will be responsible for providing leadership and oversight for the financial planning and fiscal operations of CHS, including operating budget, sponsored programs, endowment, and auxiliary services. This position provides strategic advice to the Dean and Associate Deans regarding initiatives and program objectives. This role also provides administrative oversight to ensure that CHS is in compliance with various university, federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. This position also supervises a team of financial analysts and specialists.

The Director of Finance will provide operational management for a team of finance professionals or a significant financial program with institutional impact. This leader will impart policy and legal compliance, manage other professional staff, and share responsibility for planning, policy formation, and strategic implementation of programs or services. Directors collaborate with internal and external constituents to achieve overall strategic goals. They have a significant impact within the department, influencing service delivery and operational goals. Under the direction of senior leadership, they exercise independent judgment for complex issues to ensure departmental objectives are met. They typically report to executive leadership. Senior Directors are responsible for long-range strategic planning and must possess a comprehensive knowledge of the service or functional area. They advance the service or functional areas strategic goals through innovative new programs, services, or practices. Senior Directors assume a higher level of responsibility and authority in compliance and legal matters.

Typical Duties

Other general responsibilities include:
•Working collaboratively across multiple academic departments to understand needs, priorities, and funding opportunities.
•Utilizing data to inform decision-making and allocation of resources.
•Serving as the primary liaison with the University Budget Office in the exchange of information regarding updates to the RCM budget model and the impact on the College.
•Providing oversight of procurement activities whilst ensuring a consistent, positive, partnership-focused response approach in all interactions.
•In conjunction with the Associate Dean for Research, supporting the CHS grants administration team, particularly in the areas of salary savings and indirect cost agreements to departments, centers, and institutes.
•Maintain and strengthen relationships at the university level that are critical to the success of the school.
•Serving on committees or task forces as appropriate related to the position.
•Provide exceptional leadership and support staff and faculty in order to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Typical Education and Experience

Minimum Standards :
•Bachelor’s degree and at least five (5) years of relevant experience in financial management and administration.
•Experience developing and coordinating strategic plans, multi-year financial plans, annual operating budgets, database analysis, fiscal operations management, and administration.
•Ability to problem-solve and develop creative solutions and a track record of developing innovative administrative and financial programs.
•Experience in financial systems, financial modeling, and sophisticated analysis
•An engaging team-oriented management style that encourages consensus-building and cooperation.
•Proven supervisory experience and the ability to create an inclusive environment in which all people are valued and supported.
•Ability to work collaboratively and develop trusted cross-functional relationships to produce results within desired timelines, scope, and budget.
•Demonstrated commitment to being a visible, accessible, positive presence in the work environment.
•Commitment to retaining a culturally diverse group of employees that will support initiatives that help faculty, staff, and students flourish.
•Ability to turn insights into impact using strong oral and written communication skills
•Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member of VCU.

Preferred Standards :
•Master’s in Business or Public Administration, or a related field.
•Significant experience in financial management and administration in a university or comparable setting.
•Demonstrated ability to manage the financial activities of a diverse array of academic programs typical of a liberal arts school or college.
•Experience working with sponsored programs and university foundation accounts.

Job Specific Physical and Cognitive Requirements

Light Lifting (<20 lbs.)
Standing
Sitting
Repetitive Motion
Walking
Reaching
Bending
Fast Pace
Multiple Stimuli
Intense Customer Interaction
Frequent Change
Memory
Reasoning
Hearing
Reading
Analyzing
Logic
Verbal Communication
Written Communication

Salary Range: $140,000 to $160,000



Position Details:

Department: Office of the Dean, College of Humanities and Sciences
Employment Type: EX - Exempt Salaried Other
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 100
Exemption Status: Exempt

Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) Eligible: Yes



Contact Information:

Contact Name: Danielle Hairston

Contact Email: dnhairston@vcu.edu

Contact Phone: 804-827-1991