POSITION OBJECTIVE
Serve as chief executive of finance, administration, and business intelligence for the Weatherhead School of Management. Function as a senior advisor working closely with leadership and school stakeholders to advance the strategic and financial priorities of the school. Provide leadership with management, advisory and decision-making responsibilities for the areas of finance and budget, human resources, academic compliance, facilities planning, and business analytics technology. Provide leadership in setting goals and priorities, developing metrics, measuring outcomes, and preparing progress reports. Direct the annual multi-year financial planning process which rolls into the budget. Provides oversight and monitoring of all activities related to the budget and financial plan. Make recommendations on policy development and strategy alternatives. Network with other institutions for purposes of benchmarking and best practices. Responsible for business planning for new initiatives and enhancements to existing programs. Build relationships and provide excellent customer service to all internal and external stakeholders. Design, develop and maintain an institutional database(s) needed to support accreditation, assessment, various surveys, planning, etc.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Budget and Financial Planning (40%)
Responsible for directing the multi-year financial planning process and annual budget process. Build and operate a financial forecasting, information and decision-making system that is simple, nimble and provides critical real time information, with ability to show departmental, program and business unit results. Create the budget objectives based on the school’s and the university’s strategic plan, and compile benchmarking standards/information required. Oversee the daily management of the school financial resources. Ensure bills are paid, revenue is received, and the school is always in compliance. Deliver budget, long-term forecast, quarterly forecasts, endowment usage, etc. Create and prepare financial reports and summaries as requested by the co-deans. Implement both the long and short-range strategic plans taking into consideration unrestricted and restricted funds, capital requirements and the overall business plan of the school. Oversee the collection, preparation and dissemination of information that analyzes and forecasts the budgetary implications of enrollment planning, executive education plans, development goals, technology and facility requirements, and other institutional strategies. Develop cost-control and monitoring programs and determine areas that would benefit from standardizing the purchase process, e.g., travel, office supplies, and develop and implement a process/procedure. Advise the deans on validity of strategies individually and as a whole and identify sources of funding for the strategies. Develop long-range financial planning models tailored to varying program assumptions to be used in executive decision-making. Responsible for projections, sources/uses of funds statements, meetings with program director, meetings with key stakeholders, etc. Analyze and approve forecast before submission to the University Budget office. Document any variations from budget and the previous year. Outline the progress toward the budget objectives. Identify past-due accounts and work with program directors/managers to minimize collection issues. Develop fair tuition sharing arrangements with other CWRU schools for dual and joint degrees. Identify, analyze and outline costs and revenue effects of curricular, personnel and technological program changes being considered by the school. Manage endowments to maximize efficiency. Ensure compliance with all endowment resolutions and liaison with the WSOM Development team regarding stewardship and reporting. Support Office of Strategic Research Initiatives including grant applications and administration. Work closely with the Principal Investigators (PIs) to develop appropriate budgets, train PIs on the accounting processes related to their projects, and ensure compliance with all sponsors (federal, state, and other third parties) and CWRU requirements. Work with the Director of business services to develop and implement the capital budget and oversee the management of day-to-day operations of the building and maintenance activities. Lead point of contact for the School Budget Committee. Train and develop an excellent team that is aligned with the CFO’s and the school’s objectives. Build, train and refine best practices among the administrative managers and general business practices among their direct reports. Train and direct department chairs and center directors in the use of these processes and systems. Human Resources (20%)
Work closely with the school’s assistant director of human resources to proactively resolve various human resource issues. Provide support and guidance to the assistant director who troubleshoots active HR concerns within the school. Work together to create a customer service-based experience for all faculty and staff for human resource activities. Direct the submission of faculty contracts based upon negotiations by the co-dean with department chairs and individual faculty. Includes the preparation of contracts with outside schools and the monitoring of the payment process for visiting professors to and from WSOM. Support strategic hiring of faculty as needed through compensation packages, review and communication with the co-deans and the departments. Oversee the annual review process and the upgrading of existing positions. Ensure consistency of grades and salary levels throughout the school. Develop new positions to fulfill the staffing needs whether for additional staff or for reorganization of existing staff. Advise, coordinate, and convene in the areas of conflict resolution, progressive counseling, disciplinary action and termination. Direct the staff development and recognition programs. Monitor closely and advise on the personnel management activities of faculty supervisors. Serve as liaison between supervisors, staff, and the University Human Resource office. Business Intelligence (30%)
Ensure school data is accurate, comprehensive, and complete. Integrate system in real time with incoming data from recruiting, grant writing, development, executive education, departments and other sources of revenue and expenses. Develop management dashboards that allow for predictive and real time analytics. Set KPIs for the finance office around timeliness, accuracy, and effectiveness of service. Develop and implement comprehensive intelligence processes and systems, providing for school KPIs, leading indicators, budgeting and cost allocations by departments and centers. Train and direct department chairs, center directors, and department administrators. Design and manage external rankings analysis and reporting system towards maximizing the school’s reputation. Oversee all data preparation and submissions to university departments and third parties relating to accreditation, rankings, and compliance. Oversee the gathering and preparation of statistical information and salary data required for budget allocations and salary determinations. Monitor salary distributions, student aid, and non-salary charges to the endowments for propriety and timeliness. Develop and document business policies and procedures for the school, including cost-control and monitoring programs. Optimize and monitor purchase process, e.g., travel, office supplies, and develop and implement processes/procedures. Liaison with Payroll, Controller’s office, Budget office, etc., to expedite procedures and assure compliance with university policies and procedures. Manage the relationship with U-Tech around data and information systems. Facilities (10%)
Regulate the budget for facility and audio-visual purchases. Includes developing and implementing the capital budget and strategic plan, directing renovation, and refurbishing projects, and regulating the operations and maintenance (Peter B. Lewis Building and Dively Building). Act as advisor to the co-deans on construction and renovation projects, including decisions on design and scope, identification of funding sources and constraints, and consideration of abatement and ADA accessibility. Collaborate with the co-deans on the planning of space issues and future capital projects. Identify future improvements and space needs to be incorporated into the plan. Provide cost/benefit information as required. Oversee the management of day-to-day operations of the building and maintenance by the director of business services. These activities include building readiness for classes and special events; audio visual services; telephones, keys, student and adjunct lockers, furniture, etc.; and serving as liaison with the University Plant Services, Security and Construction Administration.
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform other duties as assigned by the deans of the Weatherhead School of Management. (<1%)
CONTACTS
Department: Daily contact with deans, associate deans, senior management, faculty, and staff.
University: Daily contact with controller’s office, budget office, human resources, and office of sponsored projects. Monthly contact with university technology office and plant services.
External: Moderate contact with contractors, vendors, applicants, accreditors, ranking organizations, and other business/professional organizations/colleagues.
Students: Limited contact with students.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Direct supervisory responsibility for assistant director of human resources, director of finance and research, and business intelligence and data team. Oversees the service line agreement with U-Tech. Oversees any support staff with budget responsibility.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 10 or more years of demonstrated experience in the financial/accounting field with 3 to 5 years of demonstrated experience in a senior level management position. Demonstrated experience in human resources management and facility and/or information technology management. Demonstrated experience in a university or non-profit setting preferred.
Education/Licensing: Master’s degree in accounting or business. CPA credentials. Sound understanding of the principles and application of fund accounting used in college and university or non-profit budgeting and accounting.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Demonstrated supervisory/management skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills, ability to interact with a variety of constituents with “valued customer” approach. Tact and responsiveness. High degree of organization. Demonstrated project management skills. Attention to detail in planning, execution, and follow-up. Proven problem-solving skills/ability to identify and analyze options resulting in a solid decision/plan. Commitment and dedication to the general functioning of WSOM and the University. Ability to work effectively under stress/deadlines. Ability to facilitate/negotiate in personnel matters. Demonstrated leadership ability. High integrity and strong professional standards. Superior knowledge of accounting principles, financial and operational analysis. Strong analytical skills. Ability to meet consistent attendance. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face. Ability to interpret and assess technology requirements/needs. Ability to function in a Window-based, Microsoft Office environment. Advanced spreadsheet skills including Excel. Familiarity with PeopleSoft. Ability to utilize the e-mail system. Ability to quickly learn and apply new software applications.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Fast-paced office environment with short lead times and/or conflicting priorities. Evening and some weekend work required. No travel required. Not eligible for hybrid work arrangement.