Associate Director of Finance and Operations

APPLICATION MATERIALS:

Please submit a cover letter and resume. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

BASIC FUNCTION:

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Associate Director of Finance and Operations will oversee the financial, operational and administrative functions of the Center for Journalism and Democracy (the Center). The Assistant Director of Finance and Operations will also serve as a key member of the Center’s staff and will ensure that programs offered by the Center fulfill its mission: To bolster the field of journalism in service of our multiracial democracy by supporting the teaching and practice of historically informed investigative reporting at Howard University and across the constellation of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The Center provides academic and financial support to students, faculty and news organizations located at Howard University and the nation’s largest journalism programs located at HBCUs.

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:

Responsible for providing limited supervision for one or more functions within a department.

Formally plans, assigns, directs, and coordinates the work of these functions. Typically, responsible for performing some non-supervisory duties in addition to supervisory responsibilities.

May perform staff evaluations and make recommendations regarding pay and/or performance.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Internal contacts include executives, administrators, faculty, students, and staff of the university at large.  External contacts include alumni, consultants, representatives from other colleges and universities, visitors, and the general public.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Oversee all financial and operational procedures for the Center
• Lead budget development and forecasting in collaboration with directors of strategic pillars and create annual reports
• Monitor Center’s institutional funds including revenue from donations, awards and grants
• Ensure maintenance of the Center’s location and facilities, space planning, and capital asset management
• Ensure compliance with university finance policies
• Ensure funds made available to the Center through grants, contracts, gifts and funds are applied appropriately according to prescribed contract requirements
• Liaise with university finance departments and other appropriate units on budget creation and compliance with policies
• Liaise with development office on fundraising strategy
• Advise and consult with strategic pillar leads and program manager regarding implementation of their initiatives, including estimating revenues and expenditures
• Supervise program manager and administrative/communications assistant
• Foster an inclusive and productive team culture
• Perform other duties as assigned

CORE COMPETENCIES:    

• Knowledge of budgetary principles, practices and methods for Budget and Fiscal management
• Ability to lead and coordinate a complex annual planning process and ensure its successfully implementation
• Ability to anticipate and provide information and analysis needed to support Center decisions
• Skill in oral and written communications with the ability to explain complicated, fiscal, and budgetary processes to lay persons
• Ability to both create and work within established frameworks, policies, and practices
• Strong strategic thinking and project management skills
• Ability to interact at the most senior levels of an organization and to work collaboratively across functions, levels, and departments towards shared objectives
• Experience navigating policy requirements at an academic institution
• Ability to provide and receive direct and constructive feedback
• Passion for and familiarity with HBCU student populations and culture  

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred, preferably an MBA or similar graduate degree

At least 6-10 years of relevant experience in finance, budget implementation, and operations