Director of UC ANR Business & Financial Services Unit

Job Description

Under the general direction of the UC ANR Associate Vice President of Finance and Capital Planning (AVP), the Director of the Business & Financial Services Unit provides strategic leadership, organizational direction, change management and high-level coordination of administrative and operational services in support of UC ANR Principal Investigators, senior leadership, programs, and units.

The Director leads the integration of previously separate functions into a unified service model, driving organizational transformation, change management, and the design and implementation of the new scalable, customer-focused service delivery structure. The Director recognizes and celebrates talent and develops staff through mentorship and training while modeling and fostering a culture of customer service, accountability, transparency, collaboration, collegiality, and high performance. The Director functions with a high degree of autonomy and is responsible for establishing an effective, scalable, customer-centric service model that delivers services efficiently and seamlessly.

The Director is a team-oriented leader with a high degree of knowledge regarding higher education administration, with recognized expertise in financial management, research administration, organizational development, and change management. This position will lead the development and execution of strategic initiatives and oversee the design, implementation, and continuous refinement of new administrative efforts, new or improved processes, training programs, and service delivery models.

The Director regularly works on complex and sensitive issues where analysis of situations or data requires in-depth evaluation of variable factors for unique problems without precedent and must exercise sound judgment in decision-making, selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to achieve effective outcomes. The Director will operate with a high level of political acumen and tact to build and maintain strong partnerships with central offices and unit Directors. They collaborate with the UC ANR Office of Contracts & Grants, Controller's Office, Resource Planning and Management, Human Resources and other offices to interpret and apply policy, comply with federal, state & private sponsor requirements, and ensure the integrity of financial operations.

Department Summary:

The Business & Financial Services Unit is a newly established shared services center delivering business and fiscal support to UC ANR across county-based programmatic units, Statewide Programs and Institutes, Research and Extension Centers, and administrative units throughout California.

The Business & Financial Services Unit was formed to advance a coordinated, scalable service model that standardizes business operations, strengthens financial stewardship, and enhances customer service delivery across UC ANR's diverse and geographically distributed programs. Core services include financial management (financial planning and reporting, and research administration), and business services (purchasing; travel and entertainment expense processing). The unit promotes consistency, operational efficiency, financial transparency, and strong accountability across all supported functions, enabling programs and units to effectively carry out UC ANR's research and extension mission.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

The home department is the Business & Financial Services Unit. While this position normally is based in Davis, CA, this position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements for applicants living in the State of California at this time. Please note that hybrid flexible work arrangements are subject to change by the University.

Pay Scale: $114,300.00/year to $167,600.00/year

Job Posting Close Date: This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 7/1/2026.

Key Responsibilities:

50% Financial Services Leadership and Management

• Operational Services Oversight
  • Oversee operational services including financial management, budgeting, and fund accounting activities, ensuring integrity of financial operations, reporting, and internal controls.
  • Ensure effective use and optimization of the financial system.
• Research Administration & Grant Management
  • Provide leadership over pre- and post-award financial management, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and private sponsor requirements.
  • Partner with the Office of Contracts & Grants and the Controller's Office to interpret sponsor guidelines and University of California and other institutional policies.
• Policy, Compliance & Financial Controls
  • Collaborate with Central Offices, such as the Controller's Office, Resource Planning & Management and Human Resources, to interpret and apply University of California, local, state and federal policies, regulations and laws. Help facilitate escalation of high-risk or complex issues.

25% Strategic Leadership & Team Development

• Provide leadership and oversight to the Business & Financial Services Unit. Support employee development through mentorship and training plans, advocating for team and modeling and fostering a culture of accountability, customer service, collaboration, and high performance.
• Develop and execute strategic vision for organizational transformation and implementation of new organizational structure, aligned with institutional goals.
• Lead change management initiatives to drive continuous improvement, operational effectiveness, and a focus on customer service.

25% Customer Service & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong partnerships and collaborations with UC ANR central offices, and unit Directors.
• Promote a customer-centric service model, ensuring services are delivered efficiently and seamlessly to enhance the ability of clients to serve the mission.
• Monitor and improve service effectiveness and client satisfaction.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading organizational development and managing a large, independent administrative unit.
• Strong understanding of change management, employee dynamics, labor relations, and employee communications.
• Expert-level people management skills with a track record of coaching and developing teams.
• Subject matter expertise in complex financial management, budgeting, and fund accounting.
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in research administration and grant management with a strong understanding of sponsor requirements.
• Proven ability to build trust and strong working relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, political acumen and ability to work effectively across the organization at all levels.

Preferred Skills:

• Advanced degree in business, public administration, or related field.
• Familiarity with the University of California system or large public-sector organizations.
• Experience working in higher education or the public sector.
• Understanding of California labor laws and regulations in a unionized environment.
• Experience with Oracle applications and systems.