Assistant Director of Finance

University of California, Irvine•Irvine, CA

About The Position

This position is responsible for supervising the day-to-day operations of the school’s finance team, including financial services (such as purchasing and reimbursements), financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting. The role oversees and actively participates in complex financial projects and prepares reports for school leadership and external agencies to support timely, data-informed decisions and sound financial outcomes. The position works closely with faculty, staff, and department managers, providing guidance in accordance with university policies and procedures. Although this role does not directly supervise Contracts and Grants (C&G) analysts, it requires working knowledge of sponsored project finances and ongoing collaboration with C&G staff to ensure grant activity is accurately reflected in schoolwide financial reports, forecasts, and compliance reporting. The Assistant Director develops or recommends policies and processes to maintain strong internal controls and improve efficiency. The role selects, trains, and evaluates finance personnel to support a high-performing and service-oriented team. The incumbent receives assignments in the form of objectives and is expected to determine methods to achieve them. The ideal candidate brings strong experience in finance, budgeting, and financial planning, along with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Requirements

Extensive knowledge of budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, and university finance policies, procedures, and systems.
Strong understanding of financial planning, resource allocation, forecasting, and budget control in an academic or public institution.
Ability to prepare, interpret, and present financial reports and analysis to leadership, faculty, and external stakeholders.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey complex financial information clearly.
Advanced proficiency in Excel and financial database/reporting tools; ability to build models, dashboards, and data analyses.
Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, executives, and campus partners.
Demonstrated ability to supervise, lead, and develop staff; manage changing priorities and delegate effectively.
Strong organizational and multitasking abilities with attention to accuracy and deadlines.
Client service-oriented with strong judgment, active listening, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to analyze information, reason logically, and make sound decisions or policy recommendations.
Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, budgeting, or financial analysis.
Prior supervisory experience required.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of internal controls and their application in safeguarding financial resources.
Experience with higher education or academic unit budgeting, finance operations, or sponsored research financial practices.

Responsibilities

Supervising the day-to-day operations of the school’s finance team, including financial services (such as purchasing and reimbursements), financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
Overseeing and actively participating in complex financial projects and prepares reports for school leadership and external agencies to support timely, data-informed decisions and sound financial outcomes.
Working closely with faculty, staff, and department managers, providing guidance in accordance with university policies and procedures.
Ongoing collaboration with C&G staff to ensure grant activity is accurately reflected in schoolwide financial reports, forecasts, and compliance reporting.
Developing or recommending policies and processes to maintain strong internal controls and improve efficiency.
Selecting, training, and evaluating finance personnel to support a high-performing and service-oriented team.
Receiving assignments in the form of objectives and is expected to determine methods to achieve them.