Associate Director Fiscal Affairs - Internal Only

This position is open to internal candidates only. External candidates will not be reviewed or considered.

Salary/Position Classification

• $80,000 annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• 100% Remote Work Availability: No
• Hybrid Work Availability (requires some time on campus): Yes

Purpose of Position

The Associate Director for Fiscal Affairs would take active responsibility for the leadership and management of Fiscal Affairs Academic and Research functions, budget development, financial analysis and reporting. This position will work closely with department heads, the Director and the Dean to remain informed on what is happening in the college in the implementation of the strategic plan.

This role would guide Fiscal Affairs staff members in new and improved value-added services. This position would provide financial analysis to the Director for making strategic decisions. The position carries management responsibility for being innovative and is expected to look for new ways to improve efficiencies for the team as well as research and analyze new tools or methodologies to keep our department constantly improving. This position is expected to be a “working supervisor” and stay versed in the tasks performed by Financial Accountants and Account Technicians. This position reports to the Director, Fiscal Affairs in the JDOSAS college.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Budget Development and Implementation:
  • Develop annual budgets and financial reports that support the college’s strategic decision-making process.
  • Provide historical analysis of revenue and expenses for various academic, service, and research functions of the college.
  • Forecast future fiscal requirements based on historical analyses and other parameters provided by the director and department division directors.
  • Develop department budgets for Academic Support Services and Space Studies through collaboration with department heads.
  • Coordinate subsidiary budgets to ensure the overall budget is all-inclusive and that adequate funding will be available provided budgeted revenue, personnel and operating expenditure levels are maintained and submitted within established deadlines.
  • Monitor revenue and expenditure trends to ensure compliance with budgeted or forecasted revenue and expenditure activity.
• Financial Analysis and Reporting:
  • Monitor revenue and expenditure trends to ensure compliance with budgeted and forecasted revenue and expenditures
  • Inform Director of Fiscal Affairs and department heads of discrepancies that may impact their budget and work on plans for modifications as needed.
  • Analyze historical trends and forecast future fiscal requirements to ensure compliance with budget and provide insight & make recommendations in a timely manner of items impacting the budget and ability to fund current budget needs.
  • Prepare financial reports, graphs and analytical summaries to assist in strategic decision making including assisting with the business plans for the college as a whole.
  • Oversee Academic Support Services and Space Studies financial budgeting and monitoring of actuals, including appropriated funds, to ensure that they are spent in accordance with the budget, University guidelines and UND Policies and Procedures
  • Summarize complex financial data and provide easy to understand analysis and recommendations. Meet with departments to discuss how they are doing financially, what insight they have on items that may impact the budget and analyze those impacts for any potential needs or issues.
• Grants & Contracts Administration:
  • Assist principal investigators in locating funding opportunities as requested.
  • Approve and/or prepare proposal budgets and budget narratives for proposals submitted by the college.
  • Assist principle investigators in securing matching dollars for projects, if requested.
  • Review proposals for completeness and assist in preparation of proposal forms, including current and pending support.
  • Monitor grant financial activity and contact agencies for questions regarding funding status.
  • Assist in obtaining agency approval for various aspects of the awards.
  • Provide financial information, as requested, for principle investigator reporting requirements
  • Maintain award history for the college and report on an annual basis.
  • Manage cost share on awards, making sure cost share commitments are met and are adequately documented and accounted for.
  • Review personnel activity confirmation reports as they apply to grant and contracts effort and cost share reporting.
  • Serve as liaison with the sponsored program/Grants and Contracts office.
• Financial Administration:
  • Provide leadership and oversight of financial operations for the Academic Support Services and Space Studies budgets to include appropriated and local funds and aid in creating short-and long-term goals.
  • Evaluate and provide recommendations for business and financial operations of Academic Support Services and Space Studies departments as well as other academic departments within the college.
  • Inform staff of proper procurement procedures, bid requirements, etc.
  • Review purchase requisitions to assure they fall within budgetary guidelines, institutional policy, and federal guidelines.
  • Review and approve purchases and verify payments in a timely manner ensuring amounts are correct, discounts received and correct funds are being charged.
  • Record and report transactions within theories and principles of accounting identifying & resolving accounting discrepancies.
  • Process internal and external billings related to Aerospace operations.
  • Be proactive and recognize when processes and procedures may need to be adjusted based on changes in circumstances and also those that may impact internal controls.
  • Provide appropriate backup & audit trail for any financial.
• Management and Liaison:
  • Plan, organize and direct activities to accountants and account technicians who are direct reports within the Fiscal Affairs department and serve as a resource to fiscal personnel regarding complex transactions and processing.
  • Supervise, interview, hire and train staff as necessary.
  • Recommend processes and serve as subject matter expert in college’s policies and procedures.
  • Function as a liaison for the Academic Support Services, Atmospheric Sciences, Earth System Science and Policy and Space Studies departments to the related UND departments including Payment and Procurement Services, Payroll/HR services, etc.
  • Serve as a liaison with Auditors as needed and assist with resolution of audit/compliance issues.
  • Collaborate with colleagues in supporting cross-functional areas; i.e., Financial Collaboration Groups, College Business Officers, Resource Planning & Allocation, Payment and Procurement Services, etc.
  • Work on special projects and other duties as assigned.
  • Serve as Director of Fiscal Affairs in their absence.

Required Competencies

• Excellent communication skills; verbal, written and presentation.
• Willingness to work the hours required to achieve the desired results.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with experience in leading teams and working as part of a team to achieve common goals.
• Excellent organizational and prioritization ability skills and being detail oriented.
• Organizational Leadership Skills.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Business process development skills.
• A commitment to working with high professional standards of ethics and confidentiality.
• Ability to problem-solve and work well under pressure.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.
• 5 years senior level experience in the accounting or finance field.
• Experience in fund accounting and financial reporting with multiple operational units or accounting departments.
• Experience in complex budget preparation and financial management; annual budget and resource planning over $10 million.
• Supervisory experience, including performance evaluations, training and mentorship.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office software including Word and Excel applications including advanced knowledge of data analysis functions of Excel with ability to generate a management summary of data.
• Experience in leading cross-functional teams, broad business perspective, strong cross-functional orientation, and the ability to work successfully in a matrix organization.
• Experience with grant proposals.
• Experience with UND grants and contracts.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA and/or Master’s Degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or other relevant degree or working toward this goal.
• CRA (Certified Research Administrator).
• Experience in higher education, preferably in ND or another public institution or university system.
• Knowledge of the aerospace industry.
• Experience with UND Aerospace accounting and finance policies and procedures.
• Experience with North Dakota University System and UND accounting, budgeting and facilities policies & procedures.
• Experience with PeopleSoft Finance and Human Resource Management System Software.
• Experience with Jaggaer or procure to pay system.
• Experience with Aviation Management Information System (AIMS) database and software.

To Apply

Submit Cover Letter and Resume by the closing date.