Assistant Dean for Operations & Finance

Vanderbilt University•Nashville, TN

About The Position

The Chief Business Officer (CBO) is responsible for Vanderbilt Law School’s financial and business operations. This includes daily business processes, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, financial modeling and analysis, strategic planning, human capital management, sponsored project administration, policy development and implementation, compliance and internal controls, and capital planning and budgeting. Reporting jointly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Finance and the Dean of Vanderbilt Law School, the CBO advises the Dean on strategic, financial, human resource, and operational matters. The CBO is an effective leader, collaborator, and communicator who builds trusting relationships across the Law School and University. The role serves as the primary contact for the School’s financial and business operations and leads coordination with University offices, including Finance, People Culture and Belonging, General Counsel, Risk Management, Facilities, Development and Alumni Relations, and Vanderbilt University IT. The Finance & Operations Administration team manages the Law School’s operations, finance, accounting, grants administration, and other business services, ensuring compliance with University policies and procedures, applicable laws, and sponsor guidelines. The CBO supervises the School’s finance and administrative team and provides functional oversight of Personnel Services. The position reports administratively to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Finance and functionally to the Dean of Vanderbilt Law School.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, or a related field from an accredited institution.
At least 10 years of experience in strategic finance or operational leadership.
Strong financial acumen and analytical skills, with experience in budgeting, planning, and financial management.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and lead across all levels.
High emotional intelligence and discretion, including the ability to handle sensitive business and personnel matters in high-stakes situations.
Advanced proficiency with standard office software and enterprise resource management platforms such as Oracle or Workday.
Ability to think strategically and manage multiple accounts, changing priorities, and strict deadlines in a rapidly changing environment.
Ability to identify administrative and financial issues proactively and resolve them rapidly and effectively.
Ability to analyze information, draw conclusions, perform complex tasks, prioritize projects, and make financial decisions.
Ability to drive change and implement process improvements.
Ability to form productive alliances with financial and non-financial administrators at all organizational levels.
Ability to bridge gaps and problem-solve to meet stakeholder needs.
Proven ability to build relationships and work effectively with academic, professional, and support staff at all levels.
Curiosity and aptitude for identifying, leveraging, and analyzing data to support decision-making.
Successful team-member characteristics include being a problem solver, timely and responsive, dependable and trustworthy, a servant leader, and a collaborative team player.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Degree or certification in accounting, finance, business administration, or a similar field.
Experience with sponsored project administration and familiarity with all phases of the grant award cycle, from pre-award through post-award and closeout, especially in higher education.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage the annual operating budget, monthly forecasts, management reporting, and quarterly budget variance analysis.
Analyze financial data and provide actionable insights to support budgeting and decision-making.
Develop the annual capital budget, plan capital project financing, and monitor capital expenditures.
Ensure gift and endowment funding is used effectively and in compliance with donor restrictions; report periodically on utilization.
Collaborate with Development and Alumni Relations on donor agreements, gift and endowment accounting, and project management.
Oversee contract and grant administration, including expenditures, effort certification, cost-sharing, cost transfers, and closeout; collaborate with Research Finance on accounting, reporting, and compliance.
Plan and oversee programmatic revenue sources and review and approve general accounts receivable and deposit transactions.
Oversee monthly, quarterly, and year-end accounting activities, including transaction accounting, classification, and year-end accruals.
Implement and monitor internal controls for financial transactions, including segregation of duties, access controls, and evaluation of financial results and budget variances.
Develop, implement, and improve operational policies, procedures, and business practices.
Train and coach administrators on financial and operational systems and procedures.
Drive organizational change and process improvements to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
Advise faculty and administrators, anticipate their needs, and identify and facilitate solutions to emerging or novel issues.
Review and approve procurement requests, employee expense reports, personnel transactions, retroactive cost transfers, and other transactions as appropriate.
Manage faculty fund projects, including setup, funding entries, and adjustments.
Oversee the One Card payment card program with Finance, including spending limits, policy compliance, and transaction approvals.
Coordinate, review, and execute contracts, agreements, and memoranda of understanding with Purchasing, General Counsel, and the Provost’s Office as appropriate.
Collaborate with the Assistant Dean for Personnel Services to recruit, develop, and retain business and administrative professionals.
Cultivate collaboration, accountability, stewardship, compliance, and effective communication.
Review and approve job postings, salary quotes, promotions, reclassifications, and other personnel transactions, ensuring headcount and funding align with School budget objectives.
Collaborate with the Dean on faculty recruitment, promotion, retention, and compensation; oversee faculty compensation adjustments and administrative salary supplements.
Oversee annual merit increase processes for faculty and staff in collaboration with the Dean, Provost’s Office, Finance, and People Culture and Belonging.
Oversee complex personnel transactions and maintain compliance with applicable statutory and Vanderbilt policies, including effort certification, wage and hour laws, tax reporting, FMLA/TMLA, and ADAAA.
Collaborate on staff performance management and disciplinary actions as appropriate.
Collaborate on background clearance policy and compliance matters with Personnel Services, People Culture and Belonging, and the Protection of Minors Office.
Collaborate with Personnel Services and the University Conflicts Office on conflict-of-interest disclosures and conflict management plans.
Supervise the School’s finance and administrative team and provide functional oversight of Personnel Services.