"Operations Manager"

Overview

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Administration for the Department of Economics, the Operations Manager will oversee a The Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics and the Center for Algorithms, Data, and Market Desing. They will serve as a strategic partner to the center directors and act as the chief financial steward and leader of administrative support services for the groups they support. They will have considerable latitude for exercising discretion and independent judgement to ensure that faculty, students, and staff in the departments receive high quality administrative support in a manner compliant with university policies and procedures, and marshal and leverage available resources (financial or otherwise) to help advance the mission of the departments and institutes within their portfolio. This position is responsible for providing day-to-day business operational support to the group; supervising, training, and developing staff within the department business office and administrative support team.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Well-developed managerial, decision-making, planning, organizational, problem-resolution, and leadership skills. Ability to inspire high-performance and manage time and resources effectively.
2. High-level analytical and quantitative skills with a strong background in finance. Advanced proficiency in MS Excel and experience with financial systems and database management.
3. Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to adapt communication style to address various audiences throughout the University.
4. Demonstrated ability to manage relationships and influence outcomes, ensuring effective collaboration and customer service.
5. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to handle multiple projects and meet competing deadlines.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. MBA or master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
2. Experience with University financial and administrative systems (e.g., Workday) and knowledge of relevant processes and policies.
3. Proven experience in higher education administration, interacting with faculty, staff, and other departments.
4. Experience with sponsored awards financial management and grant writing.
5. Strong proficiency in database reporting and the introduction of new financial tools and operating procedures.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Administrative Services Manager: Provides efficient and effective delivery and integration of all administrative services (academic, financial, research and/or clinical) for which (s)he is accountable. Serves as the unit's point of contact to/from service providers (e.g. Facilities, HR, IT, Procurement, Student Services and Faculty Affairs), ensuring that providers are apprised of unit needs and relevant information, taking action where needed. Monitors the adequacy of service delivered by outside providers. Escalates issues or concerns related to administrative and operational services to the LA.
2. Financial Analyst and Manager: Partners with the LA to build financial plans for the unit. Provides comprehensive financial information, analysis and reporting to monitor and evaluate the application of the unit’s financial resources, e.g. performance against budget. Recommends adjustments; takes action as appropriate. Oversees daily financial monitoring; authorizes transactions per policy. Provides support to unit's Dean/Director/Chair for financial inquiries. Identifies available financial resources (current/future); recommends how to deploy efficiently to support unit objectives. Prepares all funds budgets, including gathering historical information, providing analysis and quality control. Helps the unit, including faculty, research and analyze funding challenges and opportunities and presents possible options with LA.
3. Risk Manager: Implements and maintains strong internal controls in areas of assigned responsibility to provide reasonable assurance of effective and appropriate resource use, accurate financial information, and adherence to contractual obligations and agreements, policies, procedures, and external regulatory requirements. Takes corrective action in order to protect Yale’s assets, resources, information and reputation. Identifies, communicates, and addresses issues/concerns in a timely and appropriate manner. Ensures all faculty and staff are knowledgeable of the regulations, policies, procedures and Yale requirements as they pertain to their scope of activity. Escalates issues to the LA as appropriate.
4. University Citizen: Connects the unit and University through communication, alignment of priorities, implementation of initiatives, and active engagement in University administrative priorities. Engages in initiatives generated by the LA and the University. Represents unit needs, challenges, and opportunities at the LA and/or University level. Creates opportunities to enhance the image and value of the unit. Shares knowledge and best practices with others.
5. Talent Manager and Developer: Utilizes effective practices for attracting, retaining, and developing high quality Business Office talent and other unit non-faculty personnel. Works with HR partners to participate in selection, performance management and career development processes, as well as to address employee relations issues in line with University guidelines and contractual agreements. Partners with the LA in the assessment of current unit non-faculty personnel and future talent needs. Makes recommendations for the movement of administrative talent and the development of Business Operations staff. Cultivates a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives in the unit.
6. Strategic Resource: Partners with the LA (and, when appropriate, with the Dean/Director/Chair) to shape the unit's administrative and operational priorities and support strategic planning process. Translates unit strategy into actions. Recommends resources needed to achieve short-term and long-term goals; identifies any factors that may impact the unit’s ability to successfully meet its mission and goals. Assesses level of financial and non-financial resources available for the unit to achieve its goals, e.g., funding, space, technology, staff capabilities and capacity. Recognizes and raises potential issues, ideas and solutions to LA.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and minimum three years of related experience including demonstrated leadership, project management and/or supervisory experience; or equivalent combination of education and related experience. Thorough working knowledge of accounting, financial reporting and analysis, preferred: fund accounting. Experience preparing budgets, forecasts and financial plans; experience integrating multiple pieces of financial information to identify themes, trends, and issues.