Director of Finance

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Sanford School of Public Policy

OCCUPATIONAL SUMMARY

This position is responsible for partnering directly with the Dean and Senior Associate Dean for Finance & Administration to assist in leading all financial activities and providing strategic analysis for the Sanford School of Public Policy. Plan, develop, and coordinate the preparation of financial analyses and data visualization including, but not limited to, operational, capital and facility budgets, financial statements, cost analyses, performance metrics, and their corresponding databases; perform complex and specialized assignments in assigned area of expertise; leads complex projects representing the Dean's Office.

The position reports to the Senior Associate Dean for Finance & Administration.

WORK PERFORMED

Financial Management & Oversight

• Serves as the school’s primary financial oversight and secondary financial officer. In coordination with the Senior Associate Dean for Finance & Administration, develops and evaluates, short and long-term financial objectives for the school as it relates to the strategic plan. Conducts complex analysis and financial modeling in collaboration with senior leadership and stakeholders.

• Directs the annual preparation and summation of the $30M+ school budget, spring and fall variance reports, year-end and out-year financial memorandums. Responsible for holding financial meetings with community stakeholders to provide strategic analysis and fiscal guidance. Provides financial narrative and senior-level communication to various core constituencies, among which include the Dean, Faculty, Provost, and Board of Visitors.

• Directs the personnel actions for the school’s central finance and financial aid offices. This includes assessing staffing needs for temporary, casual, and permanent staff positions, hiring staff employees, and conducting staff performance evaluations. Liaison between the many stakeholders who interact and depend on services provided by central financial and financial aid staff.

• Develops and implements financial dashboards for senior leadership, departments, centers and programs. Provide regular communication and guidance to unit managers based on key performance indicators and adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

• Provides oversight and logistical organization of accounting workflows for school payroll, corporate card, journal vouchers, iForms, accounts payable, Buy@Duke, Concur, and other systems. The Director of Finance has the responsibility for providing effective financial controls for the organization and serves as the SAP Administrator.

• Oversight of the grant application process and provides budgeting assistance to faculty and grant administrators. Review and approves all grant proposals within the school through the Sponsored Project System (SPS) workflow. Actively directs and monitors faculty effort allocation in accordance with Duke policies and procedures.

Senior Communication & Leadership

• Manages internal and external financial relationships and assists in the development of memorandums of understanding on behalf of the school with communication to third parties. Represents the financial interests of the school in select committees, working groups, and routine meetings. Develops collaborative relationships that improve trust and cooperation between the Dean's Office and stakeholders.

• Directs the annual school salary setting process. Provides senior-level analysis and recommendations for staff pool allowances and communicates necessary guidance to all departments, centers, and programs.

• Provides leadership and planning in the implementation of new University financial system technologies. Conducts targeted financial trainings and informative communication to school employees for the purpose of improving financial compliance and operational transparency.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to the classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

DEPARTMENTAL PREFERENCES

Education/Training

Work requires a BA/BS in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience

Work requires a minimum of ten years experience in financial management, cost accounting, or a field directly related to specialized area of assignment.

OR ANY OTHER EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

In addition, the successful candidate will possess the following qualities/attributes:

• Demonstrated proficiency in communication skills, supervisory background, Microsoft Office Excel, Tableau Desktop and SAP products R/3, HANA, Business Warehouse and PBF budgeting software.

• Develops professional relationships with financial stakeholders and demonstrates a high level of trustworthiness, accuracy and confidentiality.

• Has excellent writing, editing, and communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Work requires a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience

Work requires a minimum of 10 years related business or administrative experience to acquire competence in applying general accounting principles, personnel practices, and coordination of major administrative functions.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.