Associate Director for Finance

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

9d•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, providing budget and financial support to academic and non-academic units across the college. The position reports to the College of Engineering Associate Dean for Finance & Administration and works collaboratively with the finance team, college leadership, and department and unit administrators. It works closely with the Associate Dean to develop financial reports, budgets, and forecasts, and establishes financial controls to manage resources in accordance with applicable policies and procedures. The role applies professional budgeting and accounting theories and principles to a range of fiscal management activities, including coordinating the annual budget process and fiscal year-end closing, developing future financial plans and projections, monitoring budget-to-actual expenditures, recommending actions on budget and forecasting questions, and aligning the college’s financial plan with its Strategic Plan Framework. The position supervises two key members of the finance team and is expected to provide excellent customer service, communicate financial data to broad audiences, and support communication, training, and continuous improvement in budget and financial management. The successful candidate will analyze and interpret complex financial data using software tools and ERP systems, including activity-based and metric-based budget modeling. The position requires prioritizing multiple workflows, coordinating backup support across departments and the Dean’s Office, determining priorities independently, and serving as a subject matter expert. The anticipated hybrid schedule allows up to two remote days and three onsite days per week after an initial three-month training period that requires five onsite days per week. Applicants must maintain eligibility to work in the United States; employer sponsorship is not available for F-1 OPT STEM Extensions.

Requirements

High-level budget or financial experience.
Experience preparing budgets, financial reports, and spreadsheets.
Experience interpreting and analyzing financial data.
Ability to analyze and interpret complex financial data using software tools and ERP systems.
Ability to prioritize multiple workflows, determine priorities independently, and coordinate backup support across departments and the Dean’s Office.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to build trusting relationships with stakeholders at all levels and implement initiatives through coalition-building, including influencing without direct authority.
Ability to provide excellent customer service and communicate financial data to broad audiences.
Ability to maintain eligibility to work in the United States on or before the appointment date and continuously thereafter.

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.
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.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Exercise supervisory authority over at least 2.0 FTE employees, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and approving hours worked.
Plan, schedule, and direct financial operations, budgets, allocations, and compensation plans for a fiscal work unit.
Participate in the development, maintenance, and monitoring of automated financial information systems, accounts, and ledgers for 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 the 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.
Coordinate the annual budget process and fiscal year-end closing; develop financial plans and projections; monitor budget-to-actual expenditures; and advise on budget and forecasting questions.
Develop financial reports, budgets, and forecasts with the Associate Dean for Finance & Administration.
Establish financial controls and help ensure the college’s financial plan aligns with the College Strategic Plan Framework.
Communicate financial information to broad audiences and support training and continuous improvement in budget and financial management.
Prioritize workflows, coordinate backup support across departments and the Dean’s Office, and serve as a subject matter expert.