Assistant Director of Academic Affairs Business Services

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Director of Academic Affairs Business Services, the Assistant Director of Academic Affairs Business Services manages and independently oversees centralized financial and administrative activities supporting 15 Academic Affairs business services functions. The position provides leadership across multiple functional areas, supervises professional and support staff, and ensures compliance with University, state, and sponsor policies and procedures. The Assistant Director serves as a primary resource to Academic Affairs units by supporting and advising on issues related to budgeting, financial analysis, and operational processes across Academic Affairs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides support to the Director in the strategic planning and management of the budget, finance, grant post-award, human resources, and business operations to ensure consistent application of University policies and procedures.
• Prepares and presents financial data, analyses, and reports to support annual budget development and decision-making.
• Manages & coordinates the day-to-day operations and workflow of finance and business operations staff, establishing task priorities and workflow.
• Oversees budgeting, financial analysis, and reporting activities for multiple programs and fund sources, exercising independent judgment to ensure fiscal integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Assists in developing and refining financial planning activities, including budget development timelines, expenditure monitoring, and forecasting.
• Maintains, evaluates, and improves financial systems, records, and internal controls in accordance with University, state, federal, and sponsor requirements.
• Serves as a primary resource to Academic Affairs units and central administrative offices in interpreting financial policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Provides leadership, guidance, and training to staff on financial processes, systems, and applicable policies and procedures.
• Independently manages complex, multi-step financial and administrative processes from initiation through completion, coordinating timelines and stakeholders, escalating only when appropriate.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Six to seven (6–7) years of progressively responsible financial or administrative experience.
• Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff.
• Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to create complex formulas and analytical reports.
• Demonstrated experience performing complex financial analysis to support budgeting, forecasting, and decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex, multi-step financial or administrative processes from initiation through completion.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience supporting complex academic or administrative units in a higher education environment.
• Experience supervising staff in a unionized environment.
• Experience collaborating with senior leadership.
• Experience with University financial systems and reporting tools.
• Experience with human resource policies, procedures, and methods.  

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, permanent, twelve-month position with some in-person presence required. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. For additional information regarding benefits, please visit https://hr.uconn.edu/health-benefits/ and explore the sections under the Benefits & Leaves and Engagement & Learning headers. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Em