Assistant Director, Finance (Hybrid Opportunity)

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

 

Job Summary

Under general direction of the Assistant Dean, Administrative Services & Human Resources, the Assistant Director will oversee all day-to-day business functions for the Libraries, including travel reimbursements, vendor maintenance, purchasing, accounts payable, billing, deposits, statistical and financial reporting, grant paperwork processing, and other related duties. 

 

Essential Functions

• Manage and administer all of the Libraries’ daily financial activities to ensure that deadlines are met. Supervise maintenance of accounting, inventory, and property records.
• Oversee the process of the Libraries’ internal management system interface with BuyWays. 
• Serves as advisor and consultant on matters related to finance and organizational effectiveness that support the Libraries’ operational and strategic objectives.
• Initiate the development, implementation, and evaluation of financial functions, policies, and procedures. Generate and analyze reports pertaining to budget and expenditures. Consult with the Assistant Dean, Administrative Services and HR.  
• Streamline business processes to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. Maintain current knowledge and understanding of regulations, industry trends, current practices, new developments, and applicable laws regarding the University’s financial systems.
• Initiate budget transfers and grant submittals, approve purchases, invoices, journal entries, recharges, and other financial transactions under the direction of the Assistant Dean, Administrative Services & Human Resources.
• Responsible for training, cross-training, mentoring, supervising and managing performance of staff who process financial transactions in the Business Office unit of the Libraries. Assess training and development needs and implement appropriate programs. Develop collaborative working relationships with departments and units across the UMass system.
• Provide trainings and workshops on grants, purchasing, and travel procedures to all library personnel.
• Work collaboratively and effectively in support of the Libraries’ values to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, and inclusiveness with the Libraries and the campus
• Attend professional development activities as assigned or required to meet departmental goals and objectives.
• Represent the Libraries on appropriate campus committees and at selected professional meetings and conferences as required.

 

Other Functions

• Perform related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area and University goals and objectives. Provide backup in the area of building oversight and some HR functions as needed.
• Serve on internal library committees as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s Degree (preferably in management, business administration, accounting, or related field).
• Four (4) years of business administration, accounting, or other related experience.
• Previous supervisory experience involving training, oversight, organization, and assignment of work.
• Experience analyzing financial data.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated strong service orientation and skills.
• Excellent computer skills with the ability to use advanced spreadsheet tools, databases and word processing tools.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-step processes.
• Demonstrated success operating at a high degree of independent action and initiative.

 

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master’s degree.
• Work experience in a higher education environment.
• Familiarity with large-scale administrative systems like Oracle, Peoplesoft, and BuyWays.
• Work experience in a unionized environment.

 

Physical Demands/Working Co