Executive Director, Business & Finance

The University of Arizona seeks a strategic and experienced leader to serve as its Executive Director, Business & Finance in the Office of the Provost. In this pivotal role, you work in close collaboration with the Provost and their senior leadership team, providing financial oversight for a substantial and diverse range of operations. Your responsibilities directly support the University's core academic mission, initiatives focused on student success, faculty affairs, and key strategic objectives.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and embedded within the Provost's Office, you will be a vital member of both the CFO and the Provost's administrative leadership teams. Your expertise is instrumental in developing and implementing financial strategies for the near and mid-term, directly contributing to the University's overall academic and strategic achievements. Success in this role requires a comprehensive understanding of finance, outstanding management capabilities, and a versatile professional background relevant to the intricate financial landscape of a major research university's central administration.

As Executive Director, you will have significant autonomy in overseeing the financial operations of the Provost's Office and leading a talented team of finance professionals. You will foster a collaborative and customer-focused environment while ensuring financial goals and daily operations are aligned with the Provost's vision for academic excellence, student success, and impactful outreach.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

Strategic Financial Planning

• Formulate innovative operational plans and systems for comprehensive financial planning and budgeting processes for the Provost's Office, strategically aligning the administration of academics with the University's strategic goals.
• Provide strategic leadership in the development of multi-year financial models supporting initiatives related to academic programs, faculty development, student success, and strategic initiatives led by the Provost.
• Accountable for the strategic and operational direction of financial planning initiatives within the Provost's Office, with a significant focus on short- and mid-term plans.
• Actively engage in cross-functional collaboration with other central administrative units to integrate financial planning efforts related to the Provost's responsibilities.
• Evaluate and recommend improvements to existing financial planning processes within the Provost's Office.
• Provide insights and recommendations to uncover the root causes of financial challenges and opportunities related to the Provost's strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with executive leadership within the Provost's Office to develop and implement financial strategies aligning with broader University goals, considering academic objectives, student success metrics, and long-term sustainability of Provost-led initiatives.

Leadership and Account Oversight

• Oversee and provide leadership to individual contributors and managers within the finance function supporting the Provost's Office (note: excludes College-specific teams).
• Operate as a strategic and logistical leader within the direction of the CFO and the Provost.
• Lead strategic initiatives to streamline and optimize financial processes across the administrative functions of the Provost's Office.
• Represent the CFO and the Provost's Office in university-wide committees and working groups related to administrative and strategic financial matters.
• Continuously assess and adjust team structures to ensure optimal efficiency and effectiveness in achieving the Provost's Office and University-wide goals.

Financial Evaluation & Business Planning

• Oversee the preparation of business and operational plans, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of financial viability and strategic alignment.
• Conduct finance due diligence for new programs, ensuring a thorough examination of financial considerations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in financial evaluation processes, utilizing technology and data analytics for enhanced efficiency.
• Develop and implement a standardized process for finance due diligence in the management and review of new programs and initiatives.
• Provide expertise in financial risk assessment, contributing to the development of risk mitigation strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in financial evaluation processes within the Provost's Office, utilizing technology and data analytics for enhanced efficiency.

Management Reporting & Analysis

• Oversee the monthly management reporting process for the Provost's administrative and strategic financial activities, providing strategic insights and conducting in-depth variance analysis to facilitate a nuanced understanding of performance.
• Establish a robust framework for management reporting for the Provost's Office, incorporating relevant benchmarks and best practices for central administrative functions in higher education.
• Lead the identification and management of risks and opportunities related to the financial health and strategic initiatives of the Provost's Office, employing a proactive approach to ensure a comprehensive view of potential impacts on outcomes.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to provide visionary leadership and strategic oversight for a large and complex organization.
• Knowledge of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting methodologies, particularly in a higher education, public, and/or nonprofit setting.
• Ability to manage and mentor a diverse team of financial professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.
• Skill in advanced analytical and problem-solving, with the ability to extract actionable insights from complex financial data.
• Knowledge of financial modeling, scenario planning, and risk assessment.
• Ability to align financial strategies with broader organizational goals and initiatives.
• Skill in leadership and strategic planning, with the ability to influence and drive change.
• Ability to navigate and adapt to evolving business environments and industry trends.
• Knowledge of industry best practices and benchmarks in financial evaluation and reporting.
• Ability to lead workshops and educational sessions to enhance stakeholder understanding of financial matters.
• Skill in developing and implementing innovative operational plans and systems.
• Knowledge of and expertise across multiple professional disciplines.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 11 years of related work experience, including 7 years of managerial experience, preferably in large complex institutions or organizations, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Requires experience in leading multiple teams, projects, programs, and/or functions.

• Master's degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Professional certifications in Finance or related fields.
• Experience with higher education governance, policies, and regulatory frameworks.