Director of Finance and Administration: Natalie L Haslam College of Music - UTK

The Director of Finance and Administration serves as the chief fiscal and operational officer of the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music and is a key member of the college's executive leadership team. Reporting directly to the Dean, this position is responsible for strategic long-term financial and administrative planning, budget development and management, financial reporting, compliance (university, system, state, and federal policies), and oversight of human resources. The Director provides critical guidance to the Dean and other senior leadership on fiscal strategy, policy compliance, and operational matters that support the college’s academic and research/creative activity missions. Previous experience with a Responsibility Center Management budget model is preferred.

With full accountability for the college’s fiscal health, the Director supervises two professional staff and liaises with other university offices and external stakeholders as needed. Success in this role requires strong leadership, exceptional communication and problem-solving skills, fostering collaborative relationships within the college and across the university, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a creative and dynamic academic environment.

Budgetary Leadership and Strategic Priorities (50%)

• Responsible for the preparation and submission of the college budget.
• Analyze and approve all financial forecasts (e.g., enrollment, revenue, expenditures, and cost recoveries).
• Collaborate with the Dean and Associate Deans and Directors, as needed, to establish and implement short- and long-term strategic goals for enrollment, fund usage, and resource planning.
• Create the annual strategy for college budget allocations based on forecasts in collaboration with the Dean.
• Develop and maintain the college’s financial structure through planning, forecasting, and reporting to ensure optimal use of resources in support of the college’s mission. 
• Assist associate deans and directors in utilizing budget tools and processes effectively, especially relative to supporting strategic planning.
• Manage variance analysis of budget vs. forecast vs. actuals.      Create monthly reports for the Dean and reports specific to the associate dean and directors’ responsibilities.
• Approve all financial transactions within the college.
• Partner with the Advancement team and Dean to manage and forecast donor endowments and gifts, ensuring alignment with donor intent and maximizing development revenue.
• Provide oversight of financial resource expenditures and obligations to ensure compliance with university fiscal policies and procedures.
• Prepare and submit financial reports as requested by university offices (e.g., Budget and Finance, Provost, Graduate School, ORIED).
• Prepare financial summaries required for accreditation materials (e.g., National Association of Schools of Music).
• Liaise with university administrative offices (e.g., Provost, Finance and Administration, Research and Engagement) regarding financial and HR planning and reporting.
• Serve on college and university committees and respond to financial inquiries as needed.

Financial Analyst (25%)

• Design processes for analyzing and reporting financial data.
• Forecast budget projections and develop tools to monitor revenues and expenditures through, but not limited to, enrollment planning, facilities support, development efforts and other college programs.
• Analyze financial data to assess the financial impact and funding implications of college strategies and initiatives, and recommend actions in collaboration with the Dean, appropriate associate deans and directors.
• Maintain and update monthly fiscal forecasts, comparing projections to budget plans for leadership reporting.
• Assess financial performance and resource demands of academic programs and other college programs to develop strategic financial plans aligned with college goals.
• Provide fiscal insight during meetings with the Dean and other college administrators.
• Prepare statistical and salary data as needed for budget allocations and merit raises, including recommended methodologies for raises.      Submit finalized merit raises to the central administration.

Supervision of Direct Reports (25%)

• Direct and manage the performance, responsibilities, and deliverables of the HR Coordinator and Financial Associate and any o