Director Financial Affairs I - 530725

The University of Alabama • Tuscaloosa, AL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Financial Affairs I oversees all accounting and budgeting activities for assigned area(s). Ensures application of accounting principles, practices, and techniques in accordance with industry standards, current laws, and University policy. Manages resources of assigned area(s) to accomplish goals and objectives. Supervises accounting and other staff. Provides guidance and direction to staff in assigned area(s).

Provides leadership and oversight for all financial operations within the College of Communication and Information Sciences. Serves as a strategic partner to the Dean and college leadership. Translates strategic priorities into financial and workforce plans, develops budget proposals to support college initiatives, and provides timely analyses and recommendations to inform decision-making, planning, and policy development. Collaborates extensively with senior academic and administrative leaders, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders to advance the college's strategic objectives. Directs the development, administration, forecasting, and monitoring of the college's operating, summer school, and other financial resources, ensuring responsible stewardship of state, tuition, gift, endowment, and other funding sources. Provides guidance on budget planning, resource allocation, staffing, compensation, and long-term financial strategies, while ensuring compliance with University policies, sound internal controls, and effective operational practices. Leads financial operations personnel, promotes continuous process improvement, and supports data-informed fiscal management across the college. Serves as the College's primary Human Resources liaison. Relays guidance on HR policies and employee relations. Oversees workforce planning, position management, and performance evaluation processes. Reviews and submits staff position descriptions and salaries for approval. Conducts salary analyses and funding reviews when making employment recommendations to ensure compliance, alignment with salary structures, and adherence to institutional priorities. Coordinates faculty appointments, contract renewals, and employment-related immigration processes while advising leadership on organizational structure, compensation strategies, and workforce needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related financial field and eight (8) years of accounting experience; OR Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and six (6) years of accounting experience.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated and able to multitask, prioritize, and manage time effectively.
• Ability to work with faculty and staff on various projects and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to lead a team to work collaboratively in a dynamic setting and an environment of constant growth and change.
• Ability to work independently at a rapid pace with numerous interruptions, cope with stressful conditions, and demonstrate tact, versatility, and adaptability.
• Ability to demonstrate a high degree of self-motivation and directional initiative.
• Proficient in advanced spreadsheet and database operations.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to analyze and interpret complex data to develop financial models and prepare comprehensive reports.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in accounting or closely related field and/or Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Experience partnering with senior leadership, overseeing financial operations, guiding budget development, and serving in a leadership position with supervisory duties.
• Some experience in not-for-profit accounting, especially higher education.
• Familiarity and experience with the University's accounting, financial, and purchasing policies and procedures.
• Some experience using PageUp, Banner, and Concur.

Responsibilities

• Oversees all accounting and budgeting activities for assigned area(s).
• Ensures application of accounting principles, practices, and techniques in accordance with industry standards, current laws, and University policy.
• Manages resources of assigned area(s) to accomplish goals and objectives.
• Supervises accounting and other staff.
• Provides guidance and direction to staff in assigned area(s).
• Provides leadership and oversight for all financial operations within the College of Communication and Information Sciences.
• Serves as a strategic partner to the Dean and college leadership.
• Translates strategic priorities into financial and workforce plans.
• Develops budget proposals to support college initiatives.
• Provides timely analyses and recommendations to inform decision-making, planning, and policy development.
• Collaborates extensively with senior academic and administrative leaders, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders to advance the college's strategic objectives.
• Directs the development, administration, forecasting, and monitoring of the college's operating, summer school, and other financial resources, ensuring responsible stewardship of state, tuition, gift, endowment, and other funding sources.
• Provides guidance on budget planning, resource allocation, staffing, compensation, and long-term financial strategies, while ensuring compliance with University policies, sound internal controls, and effective operational practices.
• Leads financial operations personnel.
• Promotes continuous process improvement.
• Supports data-informed fiscal management across the college.
• Serves as the College's primary Human Resources liaison.
• Relays guidance on HR policies and employee relations.
• Oversees workforce planning, position management, and performance evaluation processes.
• Reviews and submits staff position descriptions and salaries for approval.
• Conducts salary analyses and funding reviews when making employment recommendations to ensure compliance, alignment with salary structures, and adherence to institutional priorities.
• Coordinates faculty appointments, contract renewals, and employment-related immigration processes.
• Advises leadership on organizational structure, compensation strategies, and workforce needs.

Benefits

• Consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status.

What This Job Offers

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