ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, FINANCE & OPERATIONS, Dean of Students & Division of Students

Associate Director, Finance & Operations Position Summary The Associate Director, Finance & Operations, serves as a key leader in the Division of Student Affairs financial and administrative strategy. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Finance & Administration, this position provides oversight of financial operations, business process improvement, and staff training for multiple Student Affairs units. While closely partnering with the Student Activities Business Office (SABO), this role focuses on divisional alignment, compliance, and efficiency rather than transactional processing. The Associate Director plays a critical role in ensuring fiscal stewardship, operational excellence, and exceptional customer service across the division.

 Essential Functions:

• Financial Oversight & Analysis (30%)
  • Partner with SABO to ensure accurate and timely processing of transactions, reconciliations, and reporting.
  • Monitor divisional budgets, identify variances, and develop monthly and annual projection reports for senior leadership. Recommend process improvements to reduce errors and improve financial compliance.
  • Support preparation of data for audits and year-end financial close.

•  Staff Supervision & Development (25%)
  •  Directly supervise SABO professional staff and student employees, providing coaching, mentorship, and performance feedback.
  • Establish clear goals, accountability measures, and professional development plans for staff.
  • Ensure consistent service delivery, workload distribution, and adherence to financial controls.
  •  Foster a collaborative, customer-focused environment within the business office.

• Business Process Improvement & Systems Management (20%)
  • Lead process mapping and redesign initiatives to improve efficiency across DOS units.
  • Build and maintain financial dashboards, projection templates, and other operational tools.
  •  Serve as the divisions subject matter expert for financial workflows, SAP/BU works reporting, and Power Automate-based solutions.
  • Document and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for financial and administrative processes.

•  Training, Support & Customer Service (25%)
  • Train professional staff and student employees on divisional financial procedures, compliance, and systems use.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for questions regarding procurement, reimbursements, and budget policy. 
  • Partner with HR and divisional leadership to align staffing, funding allocations, and position management with budget goals.
  • Provide excellent customer service and foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and collaboration. Required Qualifications Bachelors degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field; Masters preferred. Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, operations, or business process management. Strong knowledge of financial systems, reconciliation processes, and budget management. Proven track record of leading process improvement initiatives and implementing operational solutions. Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Proficiency in Excel, SAP/BUworks (or equivalent ERP), and ability to build dashboards or automated workflows. Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. Ability to think strategically and translate high-level goals into actionable plans. Experience in a higher education or non-profit setting. Provides indirect oversight and training for departmental staff engaged in financial operations.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field; Masters preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, operations, or business process management.
• Strong knowledge of financial systems, reconciliation processes, and budget management. 
• Proven track record of leading process improvement initiatives and implementing operational solutions.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
•  Proficiency in Excel, SAP/BU works (or equivalent ERP), and ability to build dashboards or automated workflows.
•  Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to think strategically and translate high-level goals into actionable plans.
• Experience in a higher education or non-profit setting.
• Provides indirect oversight and training for departmental staff engaged in financial operations.