Associate Director, Financial Operations

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

23h

About The Position

The Associate Director, Financial Operations oversees the execution of strategic fiscal and operational functions and activities within the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge (ERIK) units, centers, and programs under the direction of the Associate Vice President for Finance & Business Administration. The Associate Director, Financial Operations oversees and ensures alignment with internal control structure, which includes segregation of duties in the processing of all financial transactions, appropriate mandatory approvals and reconciliation; provides guidance to unit leaders on financial activities, asset management, purchasing, and internal control systems; utilizes continuous quality improvement principles to develop and implement operational improvements, as needed; working closely with the Director of Operational Excellence, participating in short and long term strategic planning activities for cost centers, ensuring alignment with ERIK strategy; partners with the ERIK Budget & Planning team to establish streamlined processes between forecasting, budgeting, and financial activities; participates in developing and implementing long term financial and space and facility planning and objectives for units directly supported by ERIK; prepares, analyzes, interprets, and presents complex data for internal and external reporting; oversees financial reports and reconciliation. The Associate Director, Financial Operations oversees and executes strategic initiatives by working with college senior fiscal officers regarding financial commitments and agreements, as well as ensuring appropriate coordination of internal awards for matching equipment funding for research proposals and the Distinguished Scholar award; works with the Ohio Board of Regents to facilitate the maximization of the university's awards in state grant programs; oversees the financial activity earnings units, including the development of per diem rates; responsible for the logistics involved in finalizing MOUs across financial and operational areas for new start up centers and facility planning projects; serves as lead financial operations point of contact for all departments, centers and institutes regarding university and fiscal policies, providing guidance on highly complex inquiries; works with the Office of Business and Finance service center and Grants Shared Service Center (GSSC) regarding current and changing policies and procedures; monitors compliance with University, OAA, and ERIK policies, including appropriate segregation of duties for financial transactions, appropriate mandatory approvals, and appropriate mandatory reconciliations; implements ERIK strategic plans through sound, compliant financial policies and procedures; serves as a liaison for internal audits; works closely with AVP and other leaders to examine audit results, draft management responses, and address any issues directly related to financial activities; represents the financial operations team through university committee membership and participation in planning meetings; coordinates and carries out special projects and assignments. The Associate Director, Financial Operations leads a team of staff managing a broad financial portfolio, providing strategic direction, mentorship, and performance management; responsibilities include conducting performance evaluations, professional development, equity reviews, training compliance, recruiting, onboarding, and working with leadership to identify opportunities for staffing needs; Partners with all financial teams within ERIK Finance & Business Administration to ensure strategic alignment and a streamlined service delivery model.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience with a major in business administration, finance or accounting.
• 7 years of relevant work experience in financial management.
• Experience in managing and leading staff.
• Experience in accounting principles and applications.
• Progressively responsible financial and administrative experience.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in finance or accounting or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 12 years of relevant work experience.
• Considerable knowledge of university policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience in fund accounting, business analysis, financial planning, and budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the execution of strategic fiscal and operational functions and activities within the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge (ERIK) units, centers, and programs under the direction of the Associate Vice President for Finance & Business Administration.
• Oversees and ensures alignment with internal control structure, which includes segregation of duties in the processing of all financial transactions, appropriate mandatory approvals and reconciliation
• Provides guidance to unit leaders on financial activities, asset management, purchasing, and internal control systems
• Utilizes continuous quality improvement principles to develop and implement operational improvements, as needed
• Working closely with the Director of Operational Excellence, participating in short and long term strategic planning activities for cost centers, ensuring alignment with ERIK strategy
• Partners with the ERIK Budget & Planning team to establish streamlined processes between forecasting, budgeting, and financial activities
• Participates in developing and implementing long term financial and space and facility planning and objectives for units directly supported by ERIK
• Prepares, analyzes, interprets, and presents complex data for internal and external reporting
• Oversees financial reports and reconciliation
• Oversees and executes strategic initiatives by working with college senior fiscal officers regarding financial commitments and agreements, as well as ensuring appropriate coordination of internal awards for matching equipment funding for research proposals and the Distinguished Scholar award
• Works with the Ohio Board of Regents to facilitate the maximization of the university's awards in state grant programs
• Oversees the financial activity earnings units, including the development of per diem rates
• Responsible for the logistics involved in finalizing MOUs across financial and operational areas for new start up centers and facility planning projects
• Serves as lead financial operations point of contact for all departments, centers and institutes regarding university and fiscal policies, providing guidance on highly complex inquiries
• Works with the Office of Business and Finance service center and Grants Shared Service Center (GSSC) regarding current and changing policies and procedures
• Monitors compliance with University, OAA, and ERIK policies, including appropriate segregation of duties for financial transactions, appropriate mandatory approvals, and appropriate mandatory reconciliations
• Implements ERIK strategic plans through sound, compliant financial policies and procedures
• Serves as a liaison for internal audits
• Works closely with AVP and other leaders to examine audit results, draft management responses, and address any issues directly related to financial activities
• Represents the financial operations team through university committee membership and participation in planning meetings
• Coordinates and carries out special projects and assignments
• Leads a team of staff managing a broad financial portfolio, providing strategic direction, mentorship, and performance management
• Responsibilities include conducting performance evaluations, professional development, equity reviews, training compliance, recruiting, onboarding, and working with leadership to identify opportunities for staffing needs
• Partners with all financial teams within ERIK Finance & Business Administration to ensure strategic alignment and a streamlined service delivery model.

Benefits

• Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

What This Job Offers

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