Director of Finance and Operations, College of Engineering

Job Story

If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t just track a budget you understand what it’s telling you, where it’s going, and how to make it work smarter, this role is built for you.

We’re looking for a financial leader who can operate comfortably at two altitudes: zoomed out, helping shape the long-term direction of the college, and zoomed in, ensuring every dollar, process, and decision aligns with that vision. Not on sitting on the sidelines, you're in the mix, partnering across departments within the college, advising leadership, and making sure strategy and execution actually connect. It’s about building something that runs well, makes sense, and supports the people doing the work.

We’re Looking for Someone Who…

• Thinks like a strategist but executes like an operator, you can build the plan carrying out the Dean's vision and make it work day-to-day, with all the key players.
• You see gaps, anticipate needs, and step in with solutions.
• Is highly organized and detail-driven but never loses sight of the bigger picture.
• Communicates financial information in a way people actually understand (and can act on).
• Builds strong, respectful relationships and is seen as approachable, reliable, and collaborative.
• Comfortable navigating complex systems, funding sources, and competing priorities without getting overwhelmed.
• Understands how higher education operates or is motivated to learn it quickly and thoroughly.
• Takes pride in being the person others trust to “figure it out” and keep things moving.

Job Summary

Provides leadership, expertise and strategic planning for the operations and financial direction of a college. Creates and maintains the financial and operational infrastructure to be responsive to all areas of the college. Creates financial analysis tools to predict future financial revenue and expenditures.

Essential Functions

Promotes operational and fiscal responsibility and efficiency within the college by providing technical assistance and analysis in planning, developing, administering, and monitoring the budget process and operational procedures. Creates financial models based on analyses to support organizational decision making. Gathers data, organizes information, analyzes historical results, makes forecasts and projections, makes recommendations, and creates models, presentations, and reports to support and explain financial strategies. Represents the college on university-level financial and budgeting committees. Assesses how departments within the college are performing and makes recommendations to improve their processes. Provides consulting and oversight for departments in strategic financial planning. May develop budgets and financial reporting best practices for the college. Aligns college and/or department practices with University standards. Performs a variety of professional and administrative duties that facilitate the operational and financial strategies of the college.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business or related field
• Five (5) years of experience in budget, finance or related field