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 t