Director of the Agriculture Shared Service Center

South Dakota State University (SDSU) Division of Finance and Budget is offering an exciting career opportunity as Director of the Agriculture Shared Service Center.

The Director is responsible for managing the operational functions of the center providing transactional Finance and Grants Post Awards needs of four agriculture related areas (College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Experiment Station, SDSU Extension, and Animal Disease, Research & Diagnostic Laboratory). This is a 12 month, full-time, benefit-eligible position. This position is supervised by the Vice President for Finance and Budget.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant mission of access.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for the overall management of the Agriculture Shared Service Center (AgSSC) that supports the missions of the units served and meeting the expectations of all customers.
• Accountable for the AgSSC staff upholding policies, procedures, and compliance in Finance and post award activities.
• Meets routinely with unit leadership and Central HR, Finance & Business, and Grants & Contracts Administration leadership.
• Utilizes resources and information available for analysis of business trends to determine the optimum mix of services and employees within the AgSSC to provide efficient and cost-effective support; works with leadership to make long-range plans to consider design changes in services or processes to meet changing priorities, requirements, and/or fiscal concerns.
• Supports the continued development of best practice processes and standard operating procedures in Finance and post award support to be implemented in the AgSSC; reviews all new issues or initiatives affecting operations within the AgSSC; discusses policy changes and overall impact on operations; recommends changes to existing policy when necessary to create efficiencies.
• Supervises AgSSC staff and responsible for evaluation of personnel.
• Monitors key performance indicators for the AgSSC, working with AgSSC staff to overcome identified performance gaps.
• Responsible for cultivating a culture of customer service in the AgSSC and building a strong team culture internally that instills a sense of pride and provides motivation to employees.
• Monitors actual performance in relation to budget and prepares periodic comparisons and analysis for review with Deans.
• Performs special projects and assignments, including preparation of financial forecasts and analysis, especially as required in implementation of new programs and courses.
• Assists Deans and Directors in identifying, designing, and implementing procedures to improve budget efficiencies within the units served.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a closely related field completed by start date;
• At least one year of experience in an area related to the job functions;
• At least one year of experience in leading a team and supervising personnel;
• Demonstrate a high level of analytical skills to interpret data;
• Experience creating financial reports and projections;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work as a contributing team member;
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field;
• At least 3 years’ experience in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field;
• Greater than 1 year of supervisory or leadership experience;
• University or state/local government experience or fund accounting experience;
• Understanding of or experience with grants and sponsored programs;
• Experience related to agriculture, animal science, plant science, food science, or a similar field applicable to the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences, Agriculture Experiment Station, SDSU Extension, or Animal Disease, Research & Diagnostic Laboratory (does not need to be university related);
• Demonstrated working knowledge of GAAP and accounting practices;
• Demonstrated experience with process development, process improvement, creating standard operating procedures, or LEAN principles.

SALARY:

Commensurate with qualifications.

BENEFITS:

South Dakota State University offers a wide range of benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.

UNIVERSITY AND THE BROOKINGS COMMUNITY:

South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with more than 200 programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students.

SDSU offers a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities and research, innovation and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation, and the world. Its employees embrace the university’s core values of being people-centered, expanding knowledge through creativity, embracing organizational and personal integrity, commitment to diversity, and excellence through continuous improvement.

As the state’s 1862 Morrill Act land-grant institution, the work of the university is carried out on its main resident campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across South Dakota.

SDSU was recognized as one of 54 institutions in the United States as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities in 2014. The university’s total research expenditures are greater than $60 million. SDSU is the state’s first High Research Activity institution as classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Jackrabbits Athletics competes as an NCAA Division I member with membership in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Summit League and the Big XII for wrestling.

Brookings is home to approximately 24,000 residents and is located 60 miles north of Sioux Falls and 200 miles west of Minneapolis. Livability.com rates Brookings as an ideal community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees. It considers Brookings among the safest and most vibrant cities in South Dakota.

The Brookings Public School District educates approximately 3,300 K-12 students and ranks among the state’s highest academic achieving school districts. The district includes three elementary schools, an intermediate school for fourth and fifth grade, one middle school and a high school.

The city also boasts an abundance of attractions and activities, including the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Dakota Nature Park, South Dakota Art Museum, McCrory Gardens, South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, Outdoor Adventure Center, and the Brookings Summer Arts Festival.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Position is open until filled with full consideration given to applications received by April 11, 2022.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

SDSU accepts applications through an on-line employment site. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.” This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, resume, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process. 

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment. It is university policy to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14. 

For questions on the position, contact Kacie Richard at 605 688 6254 or Kacie.Richard@sdstate.edu.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits discrimination on, the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identification, transgender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status that may become protected under law against discrimination in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007, 605-688-4128.