Associate Dean of Administration & Finance - College of Science

Northeastern University•Boston, MA

1d•$157,130 - $227,840•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Dean of Administration and Finance (ADAF) is the principal administrative and budget officer and strategist for the college, reporting to the Dean. A member of the college's senior leadership team, the Associate Dean helps formulate and implement the college's strategic plan in a dynamic and fast-moving university. As the lead administrator for the college, the Associate Dean is responsible for oversight, implementation, and planning of processes, policies, and projects in budgeting, human resources, sponsored research administration, space management, and college-specific information technology. The Associate Dean leads a team of professionals responsible for all financial and budget operations, business modeling and planning, space management, personnel actions, and grants and contracts administration originating in the college. The role oversees operating, restricted, development, start-up, renovation, and cost-share accounts and provides strategic analysis and guidance to enhance revenue, support budget projections, and inform decisions related to growth and innovation. The Associate Dean advises the Dean on annual revenue and expense budgets, develops multi-year financial scenarios, and collaborates with associate deans, department chairs, and staff to support initiatives aligned with college and university priorities. The Associate Dean leads staffing allocation decisions across the college, develops strategies to address evolving academic and operational needs, and applies change management practices to guide organizational and staffing transitions. The role provides analytical reporting on enrollment, staffing, financial, and space trends to support resource allocation decisions and works closely with Human Resources and Faculty Affairs on recruitment, retention, performance reviews, compensation actions, faculty offer packages, space planning, and merit review processes. Working closely with the Associate Dean of Research, the Associate Dean oversees sponsored research administration, including pre-award and post-award grant management, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and sponsor requirements. The Associate Dean also manages the college's space portfolio and coordinates planning, site evaluation, facilities upgrades, renovations, and capital projects across the college's Boston campus and additional locations in Burlington, Oakland, Nahant, New York City, Portland, and Toronto. The Associate Dean provides financial and space reporting to the Provost's Office and other university-wide units and represents the Dean and the college on committees, working groups, and external engagements.

Requirements

Master's degree required; MBA preferred
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience managing all administrative functions of a large, multi-million-dollar operation, preferably in higher education
Minimum of 5 years of managerial and supervisory experience
Experience in grant and contract administration
Experience in project management, change management, and resource and staff allocation
Experience using financial databases and developing analytical reports
Strong analytical, communication, negotiation, and facilitation skills
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities
Commitment to professionalism and a strong service orientation
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, students, and staff

Responsibilities

Develop and manage the college's annual operating budget and multi-year financial models under the university's hybrid budget model
Oversee operating, restricted, development, start-up, renovation, and cost-share accounts
Prepare quarterly budget-to-actual reporting and advise the Dean on revenue planning, expense forecasting, and business operations
Oversee pre-award and post-award grants and contracts administration and ensure compliance with federal, state, and sponsor regulations
Collaborate with central budget, the Office of the Provost, and administrative leaders across colleges on finance and administration matters
Serve as a member of the college's senior leadership team and support development and implementation of the college's strategic plan
Develop analytical reports on enrollment, staffing, financial, and space trends to guide resource allocation decisions
Support business proposals and strategic initiatives through data analysis and forecasting
Identify opportunities for operational improvement, service optimization, and organizational effectiveness
Proactively identify challenges and recommend solutions to support college and university priorities
Partner with Human Resources and Faculty Affairs on recruitment, retention, training, employee engagement, performance management, promotion, position changes, compensation actions, and faculty offer packages
Support faculty space planning and merit review processes
Lead college-wide staffing allocation decisions and organizational change initiatives using change management best practices
Directly supervise, coach, and develop finance, budget, and research administration staff
Manage the college's space portfolio, including space planning, site evaluation, capital projects, and facilities renovations
Collaborate with university offices on facilities planning and college-specific IT initiatives
Lead college-wide projects and initiatives as assigned by the Dean
Represent the college on standing and ad hoc committees related to administration, finance, business processes, and institutional reporting