Assistant Director of Housing – Business Services Director

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

About The Position

The Division of University Housing at the University of Wisconsin–Madison seeks an experienced financial professional to lead Business Services. The Director provides strategic vision, leadership, and oversight to support the Division’s long-term financial stability and operational effectiveness. The position reports directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration/Director of University Housing and serves on the Division’s senior leadership team as a visible partner across campus. The Director leads the Business Services team through direct and indirect supervision of approximately eight employees and serves as a subject matter expert for internal and external stakeholders, including campus committees, workgroups, and institutional leadership. As a member of the Division’s Leadership Team, the Director contributes to policy development, strategic planning, and organizational decisions, and advances the Division’s mission, vision, and core values through collaborative leadership and stewardship. The Director also serves on University Housing’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Executive Management Team, providing leadership on business continuity, risk management, and organizational resilience. The position is authorized and expected to activate COOP as needed and to make decisions during partial or full activation. Executive Management Team members must provide after-hours contact information. The primary schedule is 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with extra hours as priorities dictate. The schedule will be determined at the time of offer. Because University Housing operates 24/7, late-night or weekend work and events may require the Director’s availability. The Division serves more than 9,000 residents in 21 residence halls and 2,400 residents in three graduate and family apartment neighborhoods. Its dining program serves residents, UW–Madison students, faculty, staff, and the public. The Division has an annual budget of just over $150 million, employs more than 475 full-time employees and 2,000 student employees, and hosts approximately 17,000 summer conference guests attending more than 130 programs. The starting annual salary is $185,000 or higher based on qualifications, with a competitive retirement and benefits package, including vacation, holidays, and paid time off. Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter through the online application system, addressing their interest and relevant qualifications. The selected candidate must pass an initial criminal background check and subsequent checks every four years. The candidate is responsible for ensuring eligibility to work in the United States by the effective appointment date.

Requirements

Seven years of progressively responsible experience in finance and business services leadership roles, including supervision of finance and business services staff.
Three years of supervisory experience.
Experience generating long-term financial forecasts for complex organizations.
Strong background in internal controls, financial information systems, budgeting, and customer service.
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
Ability to work with and support cross-functional teams and foster teamwork.
Proactive and positive approach, with professional interactions across diverse groups of associates, peers, managers, suppliers, clients, and customers.

Nice To Haves

Ten years of progressively responsible experience in finance and business services leadership roles, including supervision of finance and business services staff.
Experience in financial leadership of a university housing system or other university auxiliary enterprise.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with sound judgment and decision-making based on accurate and timely analyses.
Understanding of business-related legal matters.
Experience presenting financial analyses and recommendations to senior leadership.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to explain complex financial information to non-financial audiences.
Master’s degree in business administration, finance, or a related field.
CPA certification.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for Housing’s financial operations, including budget development, forecasting, capital planning, debt management, and long-term financial sustainability.
Direct accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting to ensure accurate financial management, analysis, and organizational decision support.
Oversee financial policies, regulatory requirements, risk management, and audits to ensure compliance and strengthen internal controls.
Lead the development and continuous improvement of financial systems, processes, and procedures to improve efficiency and accountability.
Supervise and develop financial and administrative teams, fostering collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.
Advise Housing leadership and stakeholders, providing financial analysis, recommendations, and guidance in support of organizational goals.
Direct strategic planning initiatives and establish objectives for multiple finance functional areas, ensuring appropriate use of resources and alignment with the strategic plan.
Exercise supervisory authority over at least 2.0 FTE employees, including personnel and performance decisions.
Provide onboarding for Business Services staff, delegate effectively, hold direct reports accountable, and support employee retention and professional development through training and coaching.
Represent the Division and provide financial direction and information to institutional leadership and internal and external stakeholders; foster cross-functional collaboration and represent the Division’s interests.
Participate in the development, maintenance, and monitoring of automated financial information systems and budgets, and share updates and results with leadership as appropriate.
Oversee, review, develop, recommend, and implement policies and procedures for internal and external financial reporting, budgeting, and financial operations.
Serve on the Division’s Leadership Team and the COOP Executive Management Team; activate COOP as needed and lead decisions during partial or full plan activation.
Determine personnel needs and personnel resource allocation, partnering with Housing Human Resources on personnel planning and forecasting.
Provide after-hours contact information as a COOP Executive Management Team member and be available for late-night or weekend work and events as required.