Assistant Dean of Administration & Finance, Girard School of Business

Merrimack College is a selective, private college in a beautiful, residential setting — just minutes from Boston, Massachusetts.

Position Overview

The Girard School of Business at Merrimack College is searching for an Assistant Dean of Administration and Finance to join their team starting May 1, 2023. The Assistant Dean for Administration and Finance reports to the Dean, serves as a key strategic advisor to the Dean for non academic matters, and serves as the Dean’s deputy for administrative affairs, operations, finance, and the systems that support those functions and services.

Position Summary

The Girard School of Business at Merrimack College invites applications for an Assistant Dean of Administration and Finance who will be responsible for managing the administrative operations of the school, including personnel and human resources, contracts and grants, budgetary and financial management, and facilities. The Assistant Dean works closely with the Dean to develop and coordinate the school’s annual academic and operating budget planning process, forecasts and predicts resource requirements for new and existing programs, and develops funding strategies.

Merrimack College is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek candidates with a demonstrated ability to work with students across a broad range of social and personal identities and perspectives. We particularly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Responsibilities include:

• Manage processes and flow of operations related to human resources, fiscal, and contract approvals for the Girard School of Business to support the school and college in achieving its goals.
  
  
• Oversee all school-wide financial processes, maintain financial records, manage contracts and special compensations, and approve payments, in collaboration with the Provost’s Office, Business Office, Human Resources, and College Counsel.
  
  
• Responsible for maintaining a sound financial environment and good business practices and work closely with individuals/units who process and record financial transactions to ensure timely and accurate financial information, to monitor accounts and resolve problems, to ensure compliance, and to safeguard resources and reduce risk.
  
  
• Provide the Dean with analytical reports and strategic options in key areas such as fiscal planning under routine and changed economic circumstances, new programming, and both short-term and multi-year planning.
  
  
• Serve as a resource and strategic partner for the Dean and provide advice and data driven analysis on a wide variety of issues.
  
  
• Coordinate and collaborate with school’s department chairs, and assistant/associate deans, and staff in areas of planning and management.
  
  
• Oversee the school’s information technology operations, assuring acquisition of appropriate hardware and software.
  
  
• Design and implement efficient business systems to foster faculty research initiatives, and support research and sponsored projects. Ensure compliance with requirements of funders and regulatory agencies.
  
  
• Serve as the school’s liaison to the Provost’s Divisional Business Officer in order to coordinate planning and facilitate operational effectiveness and efficiency across all schools.
  
  
• Represent the Dean and/or serve as college liaison to college units, committees, and task groups in areas of job responsibilities.
  
  
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Business Administration or related field required.
  
  
• Minimum five years related experience, preferably in a college environment.
  
  
• Thorough knowledge of business, financial reporting and analysis, accounting, and human resources principles and practices.
  
  
• Experience preparing budgets, modeling, forecasting and financial planning and ability to develop and implement such systems.
  
  
• Experience integrating multiple sources of information to identify themes, trends, and issues.
  
  
• Advanced Microsoft skills essential (e.g., vlookup, pivot, etc.).
  
  
• Working knowledge of student information systems.
  
  
• Grant management experience is desirable.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, under pressure, using good judgment, with an appropriate sense of priorities and the ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism.
  
  
• Ability to communicate technical information to a non-technical audience.
  
  
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the higher education community, including its policies, procedures, practices, and culture is preferred.
  
  
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality in sensitive situations. Ability to use tact, diplomacy and discretion with emphasis on flexibility and professionalism.
  
  
• Proven ability to function effectively in an evolving and high-performance environment.
  
  
• The position requires political acumen and the capacity to handle a large number of assignments with sensitivity to priorities, shifting demands, and to consequences.
  
  
• Deep commitment to inclusion and ethical values. Experience and/or commitment to working with a diverse community of students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
  
  
• Willingness to continue to learn and develop as a professional.
  
  

About the Girard School of Business

The Girard School of Business takes a unique approach to business education including a strong foundation in the liberal arts and Augustinian values. Our faculty are committed to providing students with a strong foundation of business knowledge and skills in an environment having a high degree of student-faculty interaction. It has approximately 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students and offers a BSBA degree with ten concentrations, MS degrees in Management and Accounting, as well as an online MS degree in Business Analytics.

Review of applications will begin immediately. Subsequent review will continue on a rolling basis until qualified/suitable candidates are identified.

Application materials should include:

• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission, our values, and our desire to be a more diverse, equitable and inclusive institution of higher learning.
  
  
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
  
  
• Names and contact information for three (3) references.
  
  
• This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.
  
  

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Vaccinations and Remote Work

This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.

The COVID-19 vaccine and booster for which an individual may be eligible are highly recommended for students, faculty and staff. Merrimack College does not require proof of COVID vaccination for enrollment, employment or to be a guest on our campus.

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building a culturally and racially diverse community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to Merrimack’s Augustinian mission and values and advance our work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups. All candidates should describe in their application previous experience related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as how they will engage in fostering a culture that supports our Augustinian mission, our Catholic faith and our values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

About Merrimack College

The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 5,000 undergraduates and graduate students from 32 states and 37 countries, and comprises schools of liberal arts, science and engineering, health sciences, education and social policy, and business. The College’s 260-acre campus is approximately 25 miles north of Boston in North Andover and Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges & Universities/Medium Programs institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, coming in 46th out of 170 schools ranked in the Regional Universities North category in 2020. Merrimack is also listed as one of the top 10 most innovative schools and placed 35th for best undergraduate teaching programs among schools in the U.S. News category.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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