Assistant Dean of Finance and Research Administration

Department
 

Harris School Operations

About the Department
 

About the Department
Why Policy? For a better world. Why Harris Public Policy? Because when it comes to better policymaking, evidence matters. We work at the frontiers of data collection and analysis, using the latest technology and social science methods to design policies that work for society. We conduct rigorous inquiry in an environment of innovation and risk taking. We collaborate across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, adopting new methodologies to drive better solutions. We engage with our city, our world, and our leaders every day to evaluate and test our ideas. And we lead with our passion for driving social change, knowing that passion alone does not equal impact.

Job Summary
 

The Assistant Dean of Finance and Research Administration supports the vision and strategic direction for the Harris School through effective financial management and supporting strategic priorities for investments in the research and education portfolio. The role is responsible for leading financial management, accounting, forecasting, procurement, auditing, and research administration functions of the Harris School and affiliated centers and institutes. The Assistant Dean of Finance and Research Administration reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and acts as the top financial manager and research administrator to the COO and Dean. Directs financial forecasting and modeling for all major service programs and initiatives. Directs quarterly and year-end reporting for the operating budget. Works with Urban Labs to ensure budget compliance and provides financial oversight and support as needed. Manages a team of grants administrators providing specialized support for the research administration, pre- and post-award, for all sponsored activity and serves as a liaison with external agencies and principal investigators.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and stewardship on all financial operations for Harris School including budgeting, financial analysis, and reporting, purchasing, payroll, and reimbursements with attention to adherence to university and federal sponsored policies and procedures including reconciliation and audit controls.

• Be future-oriented and find ways to control costs while sustaining growth, productivity and efficient systems for decision making.

• Improve financial monitoring standards, processes, and technology to enable personnel the authority to effectively manage financial performance.

• Develops, implements, and manages policies and procedures, for forecasting, budgeting, accounts payable and accounts receivable. Provides leadership and coordination of financial planning to Harris School departments and faculty members. 

• Uses best practices and in-depth knowledge of University’s procurement and payment policies and procedures to review and monitor the goals and objectives of the Harris Administration, to ensure the monthly, quarterly, and annual spending goals are achieved.

• Constructs operational and financial plans for a variety of strategic initiatives and coordinates across the Harris’s constituents to facilitate and monitor implementation, analyze outcomes and updates leadership through clear and regular communication.

• Responsible for the preparation and submission of annual budget and monthly forecasts to the Budget office. Ensure budgets are consistent with the mission of the division.

• Oversee the annual budget planning process and annual long-range plan.

• Make thoughtful and well-informed decisions.

• Collaborate with the University CFO’s office, and Budget office on all financial matters.

• Collaborate with the Dean and Department Chairs to develop competitive new faculty start-up packages and faculty retention packages.

• Directs the administration and coordination of various grants and contracts for the support of research, training, and other sponsored activities at the Harris School.

• Supervises and leads all pre- and post-award activity for the Harris School and affiliated research Centers.

• Direct and oversee reporting and compliance efforts related to unit grants, gifts, and endowments.

• Strengthen management and monitoring of sponsored research projects and restricted fund activities to ensure financial accuracy and accountability.

• Oversees the development of research compliance education programs, supervise and train support personnel on pre- and post-award operations, and keeps current with University and federal regulations.

• Ensures all gifts and endowments are utilized in a timely manner and compliant with donor intent.

• Participate in t