Director for Business Services

University of Texas at Austin

21h • $120,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director for Business Services provides strategic financial leadership and operational oversight for Student Life. As a member of the Student Life Leadership Team, the Director works directly with the Assistant Vice President for Student Life, Senior Director for Operations, and other senior leaders to establish priorities, evaluate resource needs, and make informed decisions. The position advises leadership on budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation, financial risk, compliance, and long-term financial planning. The Director also provides functional guidance related to Workday and other administrative systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, higher education administration, or a related field, and at least seven years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, budgeting, business operations, or a related area.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing complex budgets, preparing forecasts and financial analyses, and advising senior leaders on resource allocation and financial risk.
• Experience establishing internal controls, reconciling financial activity, interpreting policies, and ensuring compliance within a complex organization.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience, including staff development, performance management, workflow design, and the establishment of service and accountability standards.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to audiences with varying levels of financial knowledge and to build effective relationships across organizational boundaries.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, written communication, and presentation skills, with the judgment and discretion required to manage sensitive financial and personnel information.
• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible financial or business operations experience, including leadership of multiple functions or a complex portfolio.
• Experience with financial management, budgeting, accounting, procurement, grants, or human resources in a large public university or similarly complex organization.
• Experience using Workday or comparable enterprise systems and developing financial reports, dashboards, forecasting tools, or decision-support resources.
• Experience supporting financial operations for student governance organizations, student fee-funded programs, scholarship accounts, or other decentralized university activities.
• Knowledge of university financial policies, public-sector accounting practices, internal controls, audit requirements, and sponsored-project or grant compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, management, and monitoring of Student Life's annual operating budget, ensuring alignment with university policies, available resources, and strategic priorities.
• Develop financial forecasts, multiyear budget models, and scenario analyses that support long-term planning and informed resource allocation.
• Prepare and communicate budget-to-actual and variance analyses, identify emerging financial pressures, and recommend timely adjustments.
• Advise the Assistant Vice President and Student Life directors on funding strategies, position management, program investments, and the financial implications of proposed initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, operational efficiencies, and responsible revenue generation while maintaining financial sustainability and service quality.
• Coordinate annual budget submissions, funding requests, and other financial planning activities with central university offices.
• Monitor expenditures, commitments, balances, and financial activity across assigned accounts and funding sources; ensure timely reconciliation and resolution of discrepancies.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate internal financial controls that safeguard university resources and promote accurate, consistent, and transparent business practices.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, state and federal requirements, grant terms, contractual obligations, and applicable accounting and reporting standards.
• Prepare, review, and distribute accurate financial reports, projections, and decision-support materials for Student Life and university leadership.
• Serve as the principal financial advisor to Student Life leadership by identifying financial risks, explaining budget implications, and recommending funding and mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with university finance, accounting, procurement, grants management, human resources, and other administrative offices to resolve issues and promote consistent practices.
• Supervise, train, develop, and evaluate staff responsible for financial, human resources, and administrative functions.
• Supervise the Student Governance Financial Advisor and provide direction for financial processes supporting student governance organizations, including funding allocations, scholarship accounts, reconciliations, and compliance.
• Establish performance expectations, workflow standards, service expectations, and accountability measures for assigned staff.
• Provide financial training, consultation, and functional guidance to Student Life directors, administrative staff, budget managers, and other employees with financial responsibilities.
• Promote consistent business practices, cross-training, continuity of operations, and effective coordination across Student Life units.
• Evaluate and improve financial workflows, reporting structures, reconciliation procedures, documentation, and internal business processes.
• Lead the adoption and effective use of financial tools, Workday functions, and reporting technologies that strengthen planning, analysis, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Develop procedures, reference materials, and training resources that support consistent financial and administrative practices across Student Life.
• Coordinate year-end financial activities, audits, records management, and other required reviews or reporting processes.
• Support Workday and related administrative functions in coordination with Human Resources and central university offices.
• Lead financial and administrative projects for the Assistant Vice President and Student Life leadership; represent Student Life on committees and working groups as assigned.
• Perform other related functions as assigned.

Benefits

• The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
• This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

What This Job Offers

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