Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration

Stony Brook University•Stony Brook, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration serves as the chief administrative officer and strategic advisor to the Dean. As a highly visible leader within the College, the incumbent oversees financial operations, budgeting, academic personnel administration, facilities and space planning, information technology coordination, compliance, and broad operational functions that support the College’s mission and strategic priorities. The ideal candidate will have the following; Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and independent decision‑making. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills. Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish credibility across all organizational levels. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment. The Assistant Dean provides high‑level planning, analysis, and decision support to ensure resources, staffing, facilities, and systems are aligned with institutional goals. The role requires exceptional judgment, analytical capability, discretion, and the ability to translate complex operational and financial information into actionable recommendations for executive decision‑making. The incumbent collaborates extensively with university administrative offices, faculty, staff, and external partners to support the effective management and growth of the College.

Requirements

Master’s degree (MBA, MPA, Higher Education Administration, Finance, or related field).
Five (5) years of full time progressively responsible administrative, financial, or operational management experience.
Significant experience with budgeting, financial analysis, forecasting, and resource planning.
Experience administering personnel transactions and appointment processes.
Experience developing executive‑level reports, presentations, and business analyses.
Experience working with senior leaders and executive stakeholders.
Experience synthesizing complex data into meaningful recommendations.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and financial reporting tools.

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education administration, particularly within an academic college or university.
Knowledge of SUNY, New York State, Research Foundation, Stony Brook Foundation or university financial and personnel systems.
Experience supporting academic leadership (deans, chairs, senior administrators).
Experience with faculty affairs, academic personnel management, labor relations and recruitment processes.
Experience leading organizational improvements and strategic initiatives.
Experience creating executive dashboards, performance metrics, and data visualization tools.

Responsibilities

Direct and oversee all budgetary and financial activities for the College, ensuring compliance with university, SUNY, state, and applicable funding requirements.
Develop, monitor, and manage the College's operating, state, foundation, research, and other funding-source budgets.
Perform complex financial analyses, forecasting, and scenario modeling to support strategic planning and resource allocation decisions.
Monitor revenue and expenditure trends and identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness and fiscal sustainability.
Prepare financial reports, dashboards, and executive summaries for the Dean and senior leadership.
Serve as the College's primary liaison with central finance and budget offices.
Oversee the administration and processing of faculty, professional staff, adjunct, visiting, and temporary appointments.
Ensure personnel actions are completed accurately, timely, and in accordance with university policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable regulations.
Coordinate faculty recruitment, onboarding, reappointments, promotions, tenure-related processes, and other academic personnel matters, including labor relations.
Provide guidance to department leadership regarding academic personnel policies and procedures, as well as labor relations.
Oversee College facilities operations, including space planning, renovations, office moves, classroom needs, and long‑term facilities strategy.
Partner with campus Facilities & Services on maintenance, capital planning, and building‑related initiatives.
Coordinate IT needs for the College, including technology planning, equipment procurement, instructional technology support, and alignment with university IT policies.
Ensure operational compliance across finance, HR, facilities, IT, procurement, and research‑related activities.
Develop and maintain internal controls, risk‑mitigation practices, and compliance monitoring systems.
Lead operational readiness planning for major facilities transitions, including the College’s future relocation.
Partner with the Dean and leadership team to develop and implement strategic priorities and operational initiatives.
Analyze enrollment, recruitment, staffing, budgetary, and operational metrics to support institutional decision‑making.
Prepare presentations, reports, and briefing materials that inform leadership of financial health, workforce needs, enrollment trends, and operational performance.
Recommend policies, procedures, and process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness across the College.
Lead or participate in special projects and strategic initiatives on behalf of the Dean.
Supervise the Assistant Director of Finance and Administration and related staff
Serve as a trusted advisor to the Dean, exercising independent judgment on sensitive and confidential matters.
Build and maintain productive relationships with university administration, faculty, staff, and external partners.
Represent the Dean and College on committees, working groups, and task forces.
Communicate complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and departmental mission