Assistant Director, Finance and Administration, UA Libraries

The University of Arizona • Tucson, AZ

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Arizona's Libraries (UAL) is seeking a strategic, analytical finance professional to join our Library Business Team as Assistant Director, Finance & Administration. Working closely with the Director, Finance & Administration, you will help oversee the financial stewardship of approximately $35M in annual resources. In this role, you will manage accounts, budgets, sponsored projects, and financial reporting while supervising a team of three dedicated staff. This position performs specialized financial activities that require sound professional judgment, strong analytical skills, professional application of accounting principles, financial management, and regulatory compliance. You will collaborate with UAL leadership to support strategic budget decisions, evaluate financial trends, improve business processes, and ensure resources are aligned with institutional priorities. Through supervisory leadership, training, and performance management, you will help build a high-performing team supporting the Libraries’ financial and operational excellence. This position offers a hybrid work schedule, with on-site work Monday through Thursday and remote work on Friday.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 3 years of related work experience or equivalent combination of education and work experience required.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, including performance management, coaching, and staff development.
• Knowledge of accounting, finance, and industry principles, practices, and procedures.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to research, interpret, and communicate financial data.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, optimism, flexibility, time management, and follow-through.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Ability to work in a highly collaborative environment, one that values and leverages the benefits of a multitude of perspectives.
• Ability to demonstrate a positive attitude and a strong demonstration of UA Libraries’ Values: Collaboration, Continuous Learning, Innovation, and Integrity.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education or government accounting and budgeting, including various fund types.
• Experience with UA policies and procedures and UAccess systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as fiscal officer for all UAL accounts.
• Review and approve financial transactions with accuracy and compliance.
• Oversee the processing and reconciliation of day-to-day transactions.
• Lead monthly reconciliation processes and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Assist faculty and staff with business-related requests.
• Interpret and apply UA and sponsor regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Oversee payroll transactions and ensure timely processing.
• Oversee the Information Access (Library Materials and Subscriptions) budget of $15.3M, monitoring activity and transactions, including the API file feed process.
• Execute budget development, monitoring, and reforecasting processes.
• Manage budget transfers and track financial performance against budget, including variance analysis.
• Support fiscal year-end processes.
• Manage and support pre- and post-award grant activity.
• Oversight of UA Foundation activity and serve as a unit designee.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear performance expectations and provide regular coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations.
• Manage workload distribution and staffing to ensure operational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with the Director to support the Libraries’ financial processes and goals.
• Conduct financial reporting and analysis, ensuring the timely and accurate completion of monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial activities.
• Provide regular updated reports to grant Pls and Project leads.
• Review and validate routine financial reports (budget vs. actuals, P&L, etc.) prior to distribution.
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial data used for reporting and forecasting.
• Support the development and maintenance of dashboards and reporting tools.
• Provide reports for external surveys (ACRL, ARL, UAAP).

Benefits

• health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• life insurance and disability programs
• paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members
• retirement plans
• access to U of A recreation and cultural activities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level