Executive Director, Business and Finance (UPDATED)

Company: UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
Location: Tucson
Posted on: June 2, 2025

Job Description:

Executive Director, Business and Finance (UPDATED)Executive Director, Business and Finance (UPDATED)Posting Number req22833Department Finance & Budget AdminDepartment Website Link https://finance.arizona.edu/Location Main CampusAddress Tucson, AZ USAPosition Highlights Please Note: The Rate of Pay section has been updated to "DOE".
The University of Arizona seeks a strategic leader to serve as the Executive Director, Business & Finance in the division of Finance & Budget. This key leadership position will directly partner with the Vice President of Finance/Chief Budget Officer as well as Division Leadership of Business Affairs and Central Support units, reporting to the CFO, to oversee a large and complex portfolio of financial operations.Reporting to the Vice President of Finance/Chief Budget Officer and embedded within Finance & Budget, the Executive Director successfully leads a consolidated, Division-wide finance and business office team of approximately 65 full-time employees, by focusing on creating a culture of engagement, operational excellence, and service. Under the direction of the Executive Director, the team identifies, establishes, and continuously improves financial systems to monitor, control, and improve effectiveness-including developing and designing processes, procedures, and guidelines. You will be a vital member of the Finance & Budget leadership team, shaping short-and mid-term financial strategies in support of 25 divisional partners, and $700M in funding. This role requires a deep understanding of finance, exceptional management and leadership skills, and a broad professional knowledge base that can contribute to the continuous improvement of financial practices within a university setting.As Executive Director, Business & Finance, you will have significant autonomy in overseeing our Partners' financial operations and leading a talented team of finance professionals. You will foster collaborative partnerships, while ensuring financial goals and daily-operations are aligned with the overall mission at the University of Arizona.Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .Duties & ResponsibilitiesStrategic Financial Planning

• Formulate innovative operational plans and systems for comprehensive financial planning and budgeting processes.
• Provide strategic leadership in the development of multi-year financial models.
• Develop scenario planning to address potential challenges with financial models.
• Accountable for the strategic and operational direction of financial planning initiatives, with a significant focus on short- and mid-term plans.
• Actively engage in cross-functional collaboration to integrate financial planning efforts.
• Evaluate and recommend improvements to existing financial planning processes.
• Provide insights and recommendations to uncover the root causes of financial challenges and opportunities.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and implement financial strategies aligning with broader goals, considering objectives and long-term sustainability.Financial Evaluation & Business Planning
  
  • Oversee the preparation of business and finance plans for Finance & Budget as well as FSS Partners, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of financial viability and strategic alignment.
  • Develop and implement a standardized process for finance in the management and review of new programs and initiatives.
  • Provide expertise in financial risk assessment and the development of risk mitigation strategies.
  • Conduct finance due diligence for new programs through examination of financial considerations.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives in financial evaluation processes, utilizing technology and data analytics for enhanced efficiency.Leadership and Account Oversight
    
    • Oversee and provide leadership to individual contributors and managers.
    • Operate as a strategic and logistical leader within the direction of the VP of Finance/Chief Budget Officer.
    • Lead strategic initiatives to streamline and optimize financial processes across division and partner divisions.
    • Represent both the VP of Finance and the CFO in university-wide committees and working groups.
    • Assess and adjust team structures to ensure optimal efficiency and effectiveness in achieving departmental and university-wide goals.Management Reporting & Analysis
      • Oversee the monthly management reporting process, providing strategic insights and conducting in-depth variance analysis to facilitate a nuanced understanding of organizational performance.
      • Establish a robust framework for management reporting, incorporating industry benchmarks and best practices.
      • Lead the identification and management of risks and opportunities, employing a proactive approach to ensure a comprehensive view of potential impacts on business outcomes.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
        • Advanced knowledge of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting methodologies, particularly in a higher education, public, and/or nonprofit setting.
        • Knowledge of financial modeling, scenario planning, and risk assessment, including methods for analyzing financial data, projecting outcomes, and identifying potential risks.
        • Comprehensive knowledge of industry best practices and benchmarks in financial evaluation and reporting.
        • Exceptional leadership and strategic planning skills with the ability to influence and drive change.
        • Demonstrated ability to develop and implement innovative operational plans and systems.
        • Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to extract actionable insights from complex financial data.
        • Ability to provide visionary leadership and strategic oversight for a large and complex organization.
        • Ability to effectively manage and mentor a team of financial professionals by fostering a culture of continuous learning, professional development, and psychological safety.
        • Ability to navigate and adapt to evolving business environments and industry trends.
        • Ability to lead workshops and educational sessions to enhance stakeholder understanding of financial matters.
        • Strong ability to align financial strategies with broader organizational goals and initiatives.
        • Broad knowledge and expertise across multiple professional disciplines.
        • Strong analytical, financial modeling, and negotiation skills.
        • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
        • Strong knowledge of higher education governance structures, policies, and regulatory frameworks.Minimum Qualifications
          • Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
          • Minimum of 11 years of related work experience, including 7 years of managerial experience, preferably in large complex institutions or organizations, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
          • Requires experience in leading multiple teams, projects, programs, and/or functions.Preferred Qualifications
            • Master's degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
            • Professional certifications in Finance or related fields.
            • Proven experience in a leadership role, preferably in a higher education or large institutional setting.FLSA ExemptFull Time/Part Time Full TimeNumber of Hours Worked per Week 40Job FTE 1.0Work Calendar FiscalJob Category FinanceBenefits Eligible Yes - Full BenefitsRate of Pay DOECompensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)Grade 14Compensation Guidance The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.
              
              The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator .Career Stream and Level M5Job Family Finance Business PartnerJob Function FinanceType of criminal background check required: Fingerprint criminal background check (security sensitive due to title or department)Number of Vacancies 1Target Hire DateExpected End DateContact Information for Candidates Mary Moore
              mmmoore@arizona.eduOpen Date 5/15/2025Open Until Filled YesDocuments Needed to Apply Resume and Cover LetterSpecial Instructions to ApplicantNotice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
              Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.
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Keywords: UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, Mesa , Executive Director, Business and Finance (UPDATED), Executive , Tucson, Arizona