Associate Director for Finance

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director for Finance is a key member of the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering Finance & Administrative Office, which oversees the college’s budget, finance, human resources, payroll and benefits, and facilities. The college includes eight academic departments and more than 40 research centers, with approximately 3,000 employees and an annual budget of $313 million supported by multiple funding sources. The role provides budget and financial support to academic and non-academic units across the college and reports to the College of Engineering Associate Dean for Finance & Administration. It collaborates with finance colleagues, college leadership, and department and unit administrators. Working closely with the Associate Dean, the position develops financial reports, budgets, and forecasts; establishes financial controls; and applies budgeting and accounting principles. Its fiscal management work includes coordinating the annual budget process and fiscal year-end close, preparing future financial plans and projections, monitoring budget-to-actual expenditures, advising on budget and forecasting questions, and aligning the college’s financial plan with its strategic plan. The position supervises two finance team members and directs financial operations, budget allocations, compensation plans, and fiscal policies and procedures. The successful candidate will provide customer service and communicate financial information to broad audiences. The role calls for proactive communication, training, and continuous improvement; strong stakeholder relationships; and the ability to implement initiatives through coalition-building and influence without direct authority. It also requires analyzing complex financial data using software and ERP systems, including activity-based and metric-based budget modeling, managing competing workflows, coordinating backup support, determining priorities, working independently, and serving as a subject matter expert. The position may be performed in a hybrid arrangement: after an initial three-month training period requiring five days onsite, the anticipated schedule is up to two remote days and three onsite days per week. Continuous eligibility to work in the United States is required; the College of Engineering is not an E-Verify employer and cannot accept F-1 OPT STEM Extensions for employment eligibility.

Requirements

High-level budget or financial experience.
Experience preparing budgets, financial reports, and spreadsheets.
Experience interpreting and analyzing financial data.
Ability to analyze complex financial data using software tools and ERP systems.
Ability to prioritize multiple workflow demands, determine priorities, work independently, and serve as a subject matter expert.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to represent and communicate financial data to broad audiences.
Ability to build trusting relationships with stakeholders at all levels and implement initiatives through coalition-building and influence without direct authority.
Ability to provide excellent customer service.
Continuous eligibility to work in the United States is required.

Nice To Haves

Extensive budget or financial experience.
Higher education experience.
Workday experience.
Staff supervisory experience.
General knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and University, State, Federal, and/or non-federal rules and regulations.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, and ability to independently determine priorities.
Skills in computer applications, including ERP systems, spreadsheets, pivot tables, and databases.
Experience with activity-based and metric-based budget modeling.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability and willingness to learn and adapt to new systems.
Ability to develop and provide training.
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Exercise supervisory authority over at least 2.0 FTE employees, including personnel decisions and approval of hours worked.
Plan, schedule, and direct financial operations, budgets, allocations, and compensation plans for a fiscal work unit.
Participate in developing, maintaining, and monitoring automated financial information systems, accounts, and ledgers across multiple functional areas.
Implement the unit personnel resource allocation plan, including hiring, training, supervision, and resolution of personnel issues.
Develop and monitor gift funds to ensure resources are used effectively and according to donor intent.
Occasionally direct solicitation, review, and awarding of funds from grant programs and integrated research projects.
Recommend, interpret, disseminate, and implement unit-focused fiscal policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with applicable rules, regulations, and financial guidelines.
Develop financial reports, budgets, and forecasts for academic and non-academic units.
Establish financial controls and coordinate the annual budget process and fiscal year-end closing.
Conduct future financial planning and projections, monitor budget-to-actual expenditures, and recommend action on budget and forecasting questions.
Ensure the college’s financial plan aligns with the College Strategic Plan Framework.
Communicate financial data to broad audiences and support training and continuous improvement in budget and financial management.
Prioritize multiple workflow demands and coordinate backup support across departments and the dean’s office.