Director of Finance and Operations

The School of Engineering

Stanford Engineering has been at the forefront of innovation for over a century, creating pivotal technologies that have transformed the worlds of information technology, communications, health care, energy, business and beyond. Our faculty and students are creative risk-takers who pursue excellence across a breadth of disciplines. Our alumni include some of the world's most successful leaders in technology and business. Our staff are critical to enabling Stanford Engineering to accomplish its mission: seeking solutions to some of the world's most urgent challenges and educating leaders who will make the world a better place through the power of engineering principles, techniques and systems.

With its roots in metallurgy, materials science and engineering is a venerable scientific discipline, expanding in recent decades to encompass polymers, ceramics, semiconductors and biomaterials. Virtually all sophisticated products -- computers, batteries, biomedical devices -- require materials manufactured to precise specifications. Increasingly, these specifications are determined at the molecular level. The evolution of advanced products can be hobbled by the limitations of the available materials. Our mission is to break through these limitations to provide the materials needed for unimpeded progress in a wide range of technologies. We are advancing the creation of new materials, from determining optimal base constituents to devising manufacturing processes. Department website: https://mse.stanford.edu/

The department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is seeking a Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) to partner with the department faculty and staff to achieve continued growth, innovation, and excellence in research and teaching. Reporting to the chair of materials science & engineering, with a secondary reporting relationship to the senior associate dean for administration at the School of Engineering, the DFO will provide strategic leadership and direction for the operations, administration, and finances for the department.

As the partner to the chair, this critical leadership position will ensure sound management of the department and work with the chair and faculty leaders on new and existing programs and initiatives to enable the department to achieve its strategic and operational goals. Additionally, the DFO serves as the liaison to the school and university in all business matters for the department with a consolidated budget of more than $20 million annually. The DFO will also ensure close collaboration and coordination with the leadership of the Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials where many of the department's faculty conduct research.

As the operational leader for the department, the DFO provides leadership and direction for all financial and administrative functions, including budgeting and financial management, strategic planning, human resources, student services, faculty affairs, information technology, development, facilities/space planning, compliance, and safety. The DFO manages department operations, and in partnership with the chair, establishes the department's organizational structure and environment, and has oversight for administrative policies and procedures in the department.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with a minimum of 3 days/week working at the Stanford main campus, subject to operational needs.

In this role, you will

• Direct staff and provide leadership to achieve goals and vision of the organization and the day-to-day operations. Responsible for hiring and retaining staff, career coaching, personal development for direct reports and accountable for the performance of employees.
• May independently or in collaboration with human resources managers, guide faculty supervisors in the interpretation and implementation of human resources policies, procedures and programs.
• Develop business plans and infrastructure to support research and teaching. Provide analysis and review of multi-year plans, including providing alternative methods for achieving goals when necessary. Partner with faculty leadership on specific recommendations for current operation and for future development of the organization and lead process improvement.
• Interpret, implement and ensure compliance with university academic and administrative policies and procedures within an operating unit. Recommend new internal policies, guidelines and procedures.
• Oversee and/or manage the finances across all sources for the annual budget cycle, including developing, monitoring, analyzing forecasting and reporting.
• Represent the department's business and academic operations within the school and university. May represent the organization to external constituencies.

Education & Experience (Required)

• Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience in administrative and financial management, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (Required)

• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills including conflict resolution.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong financial expertise in accounting, budget planning and financial forecasting.
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Strong expertise in business and management computer applications and databases.
• Strong knowledge of industry standards and/or regulatory requirements.
• Subject matter expertise for area(s) of responsibility.
• Ability to multi-task and manage deadlines.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently sitting.
• Occasionally stand/walk, writing by hand, use a telephone, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 11-20 pounds.
• Rarely sort/file paperwork or parts, rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat.

*Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Occasional evening and weekend hours.

WORK STANDARDS

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

The expected pay range for this position is $160,294 to $199,273 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

How to Apply

We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the "Apply for Job" button. To be considered, please submit a cover letter and resume along with your online application. The cover letter should briefly describe why you believe you are a good fit for this position.

*The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.*

*Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.*

Additional Information

• Schedule: Full-time
• Job Code: 4132
• Employee Status: Regular
• Grade: K
• Requisition ID: 108944
• Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible