About the Job

The Finance Director serves as the senior technical accounting, finance and budget lead for the College of Design (CDes), responsible for ensuring the operational integrity, policy compliance, and fiscal health of the college. Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Strategy and Advancement, this role directs daily financial operations, manages the comprehensive annual budget planning process, and oversees resource allocations across all academic departments and units.

As a vital strategic partner, the Finance Director provides executive-level data analysis, trend reporting, and forecasting to support the Dean, Assistant Dean, department chairs, and other collegiate leadership, in critical decision-making. The position combines hands-on technical expertise and authority - serving as the ultimate college-wide system approver for financial transactions - with leadership, directly supervising a team of finance professionals and representing the college's fiscal interests to central university administration.

Position Overview

• Job Code: 9783FG (Fin Anlst 3-Fin Gnrlst)
• Salary Range: $130,000 - $170,000
• Reports To: Assistant Dean
• Supervision: Oversees collegiate finance team
• This position is expected to work in the office, on the Twin Cities campuses, a minimum of 4-5 days per week.

Primary Responsibilities

Budget Reporting and Process Management (40%)

• Manage the collegiate budget and financial planning process, including the preparation of the annual budget and the allocation of resources to academic departments and units.
• Lead financial research and provide high-level data and analyses, dashboards, and forecasting needed to ensure the effective use of collegiate resources.
• Collaborate in the preparation of the annual collegiate compact; serve as the primary contact for generating the spreadsheets used in the annual budget meetings.
• In partnership with student services and the academic units, determine annual collegiate and course fees and entry into EFS.
• Distribute ICR grant funds in collaboration with senior research leadership.

Technical Support and Strategic Collaboration (25%)

• Serve as the senior technical resource to the Assistant Dean, department chairs, and unit administrators regarding financial strategies and operating budgets.
• Support the Assistant Dean in developing strategies to improve financial performance and efficiency.
• Provide executive-level analysis and interpretation of information pertaining to the financial performance of the college.
• Identify trends and changes in resources and expenditures that may require action.
• Ensure strategic projects are feasible and meet funding parameters.
• Explore emerging technologies (ex. AI) for use in the development of efficiencies for the collegiate finance team.

Financial Oversight and Compliance (20%)

• Ensure the college operates with integrity, internal controls, and sound business practices in compliance with law and university policy.
• Maintain effective accounting practices and procedures, ensuring appropriate accountability and timely reporting of financial data.
• Oversee all financial transactions for compliance with University, State, and Federal policies.
• Maintain budget forecasts and provide them to the Dean on a regular basis.
• Initiate process improvement efforts and identify areas for continuous improvement, particularly in areas where there is opportunity to leverage emerging technologies.
• Manage the processing and auditing of accounting and grants management including serving as the final approver in EFS and sign-offs for PRFs.

Staff Management and Leadership (10%)

• Supervise and direct the work of the collegiate finance team.
• Ensure appropriate training and development of staff and provide ongoing performance feedback.
• Foster a workplace environment committed to respect, inclusivity, continuous improvement, and teamwork.
• Serve as an advisor and coach to unit administrators and team members.

University Liaison (5%)

• Represent the college to central administration and other University units on budgetary and fiscal matters.
• Maintain contact with central offices, including the Office of Budget and Finance, the Controller’s Organization, and Sponsored Project Administration.
• Participate in University-wide committees or task forces as required.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education/Experience: BA/BS degree plus at least 10 years of relevant experience.
• Technical Expertise: Recognized as a technical expert within the organization regarding financial indicators and business insight.
• Problem Solving: Ability to manage complex, nuanced, and sometimes contradictory information to solve unique financial problems.
• Independence: Ability to act based on own judgment while adhering to policy and operating procedures.
• Communication: Ability to communicate to stakeholders at varied levels in the organization, and in multiple formats, current financial realities and financial decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

• U of M Certified Approver status, or ability to obtain within 12 months
• Experience supervising or leading a team of professional accountants