Director of Business Systems, Finance, and HCM

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The Director of Business Systems, Finance and HCM will oversee both the strategic development and day to day work of Mines Workday (Finance and HCM), Student AR, Deposit Systems, and Contract & Research systems including all system elements of security, and reporting. The person in this position will develop relationships and collaborate with stakeholders across all functional areas (e.g., HR, Payroll, Accounting, Finance, ITS, Operations, etc.) to maintain and develop processes that will support best in class operations and an excellent employee experience. The Director reports to the Controller and serves as the lead for the Finance and Administration Systems, Human Resource Information Systems, system security and reporting systems utilized within Finance, Accounting, and Human Resources. The Director is responsible for systems administration, business process development, systems security management, and data analytics and reporting for the Administration and Operations (FA&O) division. This includes developing and delivering training on systems functionality to campus, providing system administration including year-end processes and rolls, optimizing and automating business process development, reporting and analytics, and ensuring data quality. In connection with Information & Technology Services (ITS), this team ensures system uptime. The Director collaborates closely with ITS and the FA&O Department leads to implement upgrades, enhancements, additional systems, and reporting strategies.

The position requires an experienced system professional who understands complex business requirements related to Finance, Human Resources, reporting and data management, while envisioning new and improved in-system business processes and solutions to streamline operations and create efficiency. Our ideal candidate is strategic, has an understanding of how systems can facilitate process efficiency, knowledge and experience with culling data from an ERP system to inform decision-making for an organization.

This is a twelve-month, administrative faculty position with hybrid work options available.

The Department

The Business Systems, Finance and HCM department resides with the Controller’s office at Mines. Following our recent implantation of Workday ERP, the team is growing to include experts in Workday Finance, HR, Procurement and more. This team is comprised inquisitive problem solvers, who collaboratively across campus to find business solutions that satisfy the complex needs of campus. The team is nimble, agile, innovative, and collaborative.

Key Responsibilities

Systems Administration

• Implement the vision of Finance, Administration & Operations and the Controller in collaboration with ITS, HR, and other campus partners, actively engaging in planning, developing and managing FA&O systems.
• Manage the deployment, monitoring, maintenance, development, and upgrades to support Workday and other systems in FA&O for campus; Review upcoming product releases for business functionality and ensure timely training communications to campus.
• Drive continuous improvement and service delivery excellence by ensuring a well-controlled system environment; Contribute to the ITS Change Advisory Board (CAB) to ensure support, security, and interfaces are considered as a part of new releases.
• Provide recommendations to utilize current and new functionalities, and designed business processes, within Workday and other systems in FA&O to advance Institutional strategies;
• Leverage the capabilities of Workday and other financial and HR systems, to maximize system efficiencies and build sound business processes;
• Support system upgrades, testing, and other data management and integration activities; Data import activity/validation/support (mass data updates as needed).
• Provide project management oversight for decentralized projects, programs, and initiatives related to system functionality, reporting;
• Design the process for role-based security administration for users access across campus, with heightened awareness of personally identifiable information, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and confidentiality;
• Ensure in-system business processes are current, and align with regulatory requirements;
• Ensure records and data are appropriately available for reporting according to legal and regulatory guidelines;
• Resolve escalated issues arising from operations, requiring coordination with other departments, including Information Technology Solutions;
• Continuously increase knowledge in technology by serving as an expert on functional capabilities, staying informed on product capabilities and trends, and interacting with the Workday community.

Strategic Leadership

• Provide leadership to a group of teams managing security, system administration, reporting & analytics, and help desk services.
• Understand the strategic initiatives of the University, set transformative department goals to develop and implement ways to support the University’s strategic initiatives.
• Emulate the Controller’s Office service philosophy with all stakeholders

Analytics and Reporting

• Understand metrics and measurements to determine Mines standards for reporting;
• Manage reporting structures for Mines, pulling data for external reporting, and to ensure accurate data for internal reporting departments (ex. Institutional Research).
• Design manager dashboards within systems, to drive activity.
• Identify workforce reporting needs for Mines campus to focus action and achieve results.
• Partner with other data analysis teams to tell the Mines story related to both Finance and Human Resources.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related field.
• Ten years experience leading a team of systems experts, charged with assessing and developing systems to meet an organizations’ business requirements. This experience should include maintaining a high-performing team, including recruiting, training, and mentoring team members, and fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Five years experience overseeing either a core Finance or HRIS system in a large organization.
• Seven years experience in supporting the needs of administrative units through systems, data and information, including experience in developing and executing a strategic plan that aligns with the organization's vision and goals, and anticipating and responding to changes in the business environment.
• Three years’ experience with Workday.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Possess strong leadership skills, including the ability to inspire, motivate, and empower their team members, and to lead by example.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with different stakeholders, including executives, team members, clients, and customers.
• Strong decision-making skills, including the ability to make informed decisions quickly and confidently, and to analyze and evaluate different options and their potential outcomes.
• Strong understanding of financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis, and should be able to make data-driven decisions.
• Possess strong project management skills, including the ability to plan, execute, and monitor projects effectively, and to ensure that they are completed on time, within budget, and to a high standard.

Preferred Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Experience leading ERP systems in higher education.
• 3 years Banner or Workday experience
• Working knowledge of Tableau or like data visualization software.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Workday certification(s) in the relevant domains.
• Banner/Ellucian certification(s) in the relevant domains.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Project Management experience at a complex organization
• Proven ability to translate business needs into effective systems processes

Salary and Benefits

Annual salary rate of $125,000 - $145,000

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Fully paid health and dental premiums
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the on-campus Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more), equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center, the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP), and backup child and elder care. Coming soon is an on-campus daycare center. For more information about benefits at Mines, go to mines.edu/human-resources/benefits .

How to Apply

Applicants are required to:

• Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, references, veteran status)
• Upload a resume or CV
• Upload a cover letter.

This posting will close at midnight, October 1, 2023. No applications will be reviewed after that date.

References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Mines welcomes everyone to our team; in your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc). If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.

Successful Completion of a Background Investigation is Required for this Position.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 38 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2023).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, cultural awareness and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a diverse and inclusive community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequity or concerns for safety.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!