Business Officer, College of Agriculture, Science, and Technology (CAST)

Location : 1200 N Dupont Highway, Dover

Job Type : Professional

Job Number : 2022-00319

Opening Date : 11 / 25 / 2024

General Description of the Position

Reporting to the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Science, and Technology (CAST), the Business Officer (BO) will facilitate the planning and implementation of the College's financial and operational vision as it relates to the full range of business functions and activities. The BO will facilitate short and long-range strategic planning for new and / or expanding programs; partnerships; revenue generation; operations; and new ventures. The BO will be accountable for and provide overall leadership, supervision, management, and coordination of these functions, as well as provide oversight of the development and implementation of policies and procedures to achieve desired outcomes. The BO will work closely with the other senior leaders of the College administration to ensure optimal resourcing for the College's various activities while maintaining collaborative relationships with central administration offices and peers in other academic units. The BO is also responsible for engaging and developing strategic, external partnerships to further advance the quality, growth, and success of CAST.

Essential Functions & Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The following are the functions essential to performing this job :

1. Supervise financial and operational functional area leaders in the College to assist them in the successful operation of their areas.

2. Drive creative methods to manage and operate financial resources to allow for opportunities to advance the College's strategic plan.

3. Direct the production, analysis, and projections of revenue opportunities.

4. Oversee the annual operating budget process, including developing detailed budgets in support of multiple cost centers supporting departmental activities showing revenue, expense, and contribution to Central budget targets each fiscal year.

5. Review detailed analyses of variances from budgets at year-end or ad-hoc throughout the fiscal year.

6. Identify budget risks and opportunities for savings.

7. Review and approve budget justifications for submissions including the appropriation of adequate resources among programs to align with the College's strategic goals.

8. Oversee and track separate revenue sources, such as tuition revenue and research revenue; Implement tools and metrics to measure the College's financial performance against plans / targets.

9. Develop and Implement the College's Resource and Strategic Plans.

10. Provide quarterly financial reporting on variances against budget and prior year, including expenses, surpluses, spending trends, etc.

11. Provide financial management stewardship and oversight of internal controls, policies and procedures governing financial operations.

12. Ensure compliance with Federal / State and University policies and procedures.

13. Develop annual forecasts and longer-term (3-5 year) financial plans for the College, considering the strategic initiatives of the College and University.

14. Assure compliance in anticipation of internal or external audits.

15. Create a review and approval process for changes (when necessary) to the College's administrative policies.

16. Assist with shaping CAST overall business strategy.

17. Manage College program initiatives to attract new partnerships.

18. Provide support and insight into significant organizational changes (e.g., shift in strategic focus, mergers, and acquisitions, etc.).

19. Identify new partnership opportunities; represent the College at various events throughout the year.

20. Conduct research and data analysis to inform business decisions for College.

21. Engage and optimize existing partner network, establishing regular communications to further strengthen relationships.

22. Collaborate cross-functionally with other colleges, units and departments across campus to leverage corporate partnerships.

23. Facilitate meetings with faculty and staff to discuss funding opportunities and identify potential resources and develop cultivation plans for future funding needs.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The individual in this job must possess these skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that they can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation using some other combination of skills and abilities :

1. Strong ability to work in partnership with like-minded organizations and develop enduring supportive relationships with key political, business, and philanthropic allies.

2. Ability to communicate the College and DSU's mission and vision to a wide variety of audiences in a way that engages others in the organization's work.

3. Demonstrated success in building strategic partnerships and teams to optimize organizational processes.

4. Excellent communication, organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills.

5. Demonstrated leadership, presentation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

6. Exceptional organization skills and strong work ethic.

7. Poised, confident and extremely professional.

8. Ability to plan / organize / delegate work, create alignment and adapt.

9. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint, among other design tools and applications.

10. Detail-oriented and deadline-driven.

11. In a senior, managerial capacity, to plan and direct fundraising strategies and activities, inclusive of events for the College.

Qualification Standards

1. Master's degree in business, accounting, finance, fiscal management, or a related field with extensive (typically 5 or more years) experience with progressively responsible and comparable duties and assignments.

2. Expert knowledge of the principles and practices of budget planning, evaluation, and execution; Significant, demonstrated experience in developing, implementing and managing financial and administrative policy, preferably in a university or non-profit environment :

3. Significant, demonstrated experience with payroll, procurement, operational, and financial reporting; Experience aligning strategic initiatives with financial plans and forecasts.

4. Hands-on working knowledge of both federal and university grants management accounting policies and procedures. Collaborative management style.

5. Demonstrated experience building effective teams and overseeing diverse professional staff; Demonstrated ability in promoting a team approach to efficiently carry out the functions of a finance and administration office.

• 6. Exemplary communication skills (both written and oral), especially when communicating with a wide range of stakeholders and executive leadership with varying levels of financial acumen;

7. Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills, and the ability to function independently.

8. Demonstrated experience overseeing the financial operations of a complex organization with various forms of revenue streams and allocations.

9. Experience generating and interpreting reports in administrative database reporting systems such as Banner.

10. Successful experience in managing and resolving conflict, building consensus, and making sound judgments in a complex environment.

Performance Standards & EEO Statement

Performance Standards :

The criteria for evaluation in this position include, but are not limited to, the following :

1. Demonstrate initiative and problem-solving to support successful project implementation.

2. Effective tracking and reporting of program initiative deliverables and success.

3. Sustain positive engagements with project-related students, faculty and staff and other offices across the campus.

EEO Statement

Delaware State University is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic global community. The University is dedicated to enhancing diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment and employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. The University is committed to achieving a diverse faculty and staff and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply.

Equal opportunity employer / program'' and "auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities''.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

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