DIRECTOR OF FINANCE - University of Washington

Req #: 240591 Department: UW FACILITIES: FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Appointing Department Web Address: https://facilities.uw.edu/unit/finance-administration Job Location Detail: UW Tower; open to hybrid work schedule (combination in-office + remote) Posting Date: 10/30/2024 Closing Info: Open Until Filled Salary: $15,833 - $20,900 per month Shift: First Shift Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230119\_a11y.pdf) As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. UW Facilities (UWF) is one of the largest and most diverse administrative units on the Seattle campus supporting a large urban university. UWF manages the University's buildings, infrastructure, and land, with more than 1,100 employees in a variety of fields. Our teams can be organized into six main groups: Finance & Administration, Asset Management, Operations, Real Estate, Campus Energy & Utilities, and Business Intelligence & Technology. UW Facilities Finance & Administration provides strategic and comprehensive financial management, procurement and sourcing, human resources and training, communications, and UW capital budgeting leadership to all of UW Facilities (UWF). Finance & Administration has an outstanding opportunity for a **Director of Finance** . The UWF Director of Finance is a senior financial leader in the organization and reports directly to the Associate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Finance and Administration (AVP/CFO) of UWF. The Director of Finance position requires a senior financial professional with experience in sophisticated and complex financial management for large and complex business operations, possessing the full range of financial management, leadership, strategic, budgeting, accounting, and analytical skills necessary to direct the budgetary vision, financial strategic planning, and comprehensive financial management and reporting for the entire UWF organization. The Director of Finance works closely with the AVP/CFO and the other leaders in UWF and provides comprehensive financial management and ensures resource alignment to achieve UWF strategic goals. Position Complexities The Director of Finance is an integral member of the UWF Finance & Administration team and the overall UWF leadership team. A collaborative team-oriented approach is essential, paired with a proactive and positive business approach focused on strategically meeting current and future needs and problem solving. The Director of Finance must develop strong and effective partnerships with leaders and staff across the entire organization. The Director of Finance manages an overall annual operating budget of approximately $285 million and annual capital spend of approximately $600 million with over 400 different operating and capital cost centers. The complexities of multiple funding sources, cost allocations and many business units require a financial professional who can quickly understand complex business operations in order to strategically manage financial resources. The Director of Finance provides financial management leadership, promotes flexible processes and effective uses of resources, and identifies opportunities for alternative solutions to complex financial challenges. The Director of Finance leads the Finance Team in the development of comprehensive financial reporting including all sources and uses of funds and budget vs actual reporting on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis for all UWF units. An important component of the job is to develop customized and sophisticated financial analyses and projections that align with strategic plans. This position participates in and leads senior level budget discussions and facilitates decision making. The Director of Finance must be able to communicate complex financial information to audiences at all levels. The Director of Finance manages a team of four Assistant Directors of Finance and an Executive Assistant. The complex financial management of UWF is divided among and managed by the four Assistant Directors of Finance. These financial areas include multiple operational units, capital projects, public private partnerships, real estate, utilities, and customized financial analyses. The wide variety and depth of responsibility requires excellent management and leadership skills, resourcefulness, sound judgment, and flexibility. The ability to lead and mentor staff, manage problems and employee challenges, and excel in conflict resolution is an imperative skillset. Position Dimension and Impact to the University The Director of Finance must develop strong, effective, and collaborative relationships with business officers, administrators, executives and financial personnel throughout UWF and UW. The Director of Finance is the primary financial contact between UWF and the university financial community. UWF is one of the largest and most diverse administrative units on the Seattle campus supporting a large urban university campus. While there are many formal policies to be followed, there are many new and uncharted areas requiring creative problem solving and highly developed critical thinking skills while balancing risk and return to UWF and the University. It is essential to provide in-depth analyses with quick turnaround times to wisely advise the UWF AVP/CFO, Vice President of UWF, and other senior leaders. The Director of Finance fosters an environment of teamwork and collaboration to support the mission and vision of the AVP/CFO, UWF, and the University. **Primary Duties and Responsibilities** Financial Management (50%) Work directly with the AVP/CFO in the management of daily operations for business, finance, and accounting operations. - Provide leadership for development of all UWF departmental and unit budgets. - Provide monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting. - Oversee the UWF financial team in developing the UWF annual budget and all related materials for FPB. - Oversee financial management of self-sustaining and operations units, including rate development. - Oversee financial management of capital projects. - Develop maintenance, operating, and renewal annual costs for new capital construction. - Oversee financial management of real estate finances. - Oversee rate development for recharge areas. - Manage all internal and external audits and serve as lead liaison for auditors. - Direct and oversee the management and accounting functions of multiple cost centers. - Oversee development of annual forecasts for the university's fuel, electricity, water and other utilities budgets. - Maintain ethical and sound financial administration practices for UWF. - Ensure fiscal health for UWF. - Interpret policies and government regulations, using consistent treatment at all times. - Provide clear, timely communication and accurate information management. Collaborative Management (30%) The Director of Finance works collaboratively with the UWF CFO, VP and all AVPs, Directors, Managers, and staff throughout UWF. The Director of Finance must employ a consultative management approach and sound judgment to direct and advise units in effective resource management, as well as establishing approaches to allow transactions to be performed easily and efficiently, while proactively keeping staff informed regarding the status of resources affecting their units. This position is an integral member of the UWF Finance & Administration team and must be adaptable, flexible, and able to manage competing priorities for themselves and their teams. The position requires an innovative, strategic, highly motivated, team-oriented individual. - Directs and advises on budgetary, personnel, and resource allocations to ensure UWF goals and objectives are achieved. - Provides budgetary leadership promoting ethical, compliant, flexible, transparent processes and effective use of resources. - Demonstrates effective problem solving and identifies opportunities for alternative solutions that bring stakeholders together. - Demonstrates exceptional negotiating skills used to foster a team environment among finance personnel and executives for all UWF areas. - Facilitates financial and resource allocations within UWF. - Develops and provides comprehensive, as well as targeted and specific, financial analyses and reporting for decision-making, including all sources and uses of funds. - Other duties as required. Staff Management (20%) - Manage four Assistant Directors of Finance and one Executive Assistant and oversee teams of approximately 25 finance and accounting staff. - Coordinate delegation of work to staff based on skill set, bandwidth, and opportunities for growth. - Provide mentoring and staff development opportunities. - Set priorities, manage staff workloads, and resolve issues and problems. **Core Competencies** - Demonstrate personal integrity and trustworthiness. - Manage stressful situations and changing priorities effectively. - Anticipate, recognize and resolve problems. - Be responsible and accountable. - Be collaborative and enjoy working in a team environment. - Use organizational skills and pay attention to details. - Maintain a positive, optimistic and success-oriented attitude. - Exercise professionalism, which includes being tactful and courteous. - Exhibit a professional work ethic. - Continuously promote a safe work environment. **Requirements include:** - Master's degree in business administration, finance, accounting or another related field. - Eight or more years' experience in financial management and administration in higher education or private industry. - Demonstrated experience managing staff. - Possess extensive experience in financial management, analysis, and reporting. - Possess extensive experience with a large, complex financial ERP, preferably Workday. - Demonstrated experience in presenting complex financial information to audiences of all levels. - Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, and analysis skills. - High degree of professionalism, integrity and accountability; must be customer-committed and results-oriented. - Demonstrated ability to think strategically, analyze data; produce clearly articulated reports, projections, and financial forecasts. - Ability to lead and work in a team environment and build consensus with strong negotiating skills based upon a "win-win" approach. - Flexibility, multi-tasking ability, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines with multiple interruptions are a must. Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration. **Desired:** - Experience working with external auditors and overseeing audit reports. - Familiarity with a variety of UW systems and policies, especially related to finance. - 5 years of staff management experience. - Working knowledge of UW financial systems, especially Workday. - Excellent written and oral communication skills. **Conditions of Employment:** - Must be able to work in a non-smoking environment. - Regular and predictable attendance is required. Application Process: The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. **Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.** University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.