Director of Finance and Administration

Cornell University • Ithaca, NY

7h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Facilities and Campus Services department is committed to providing the highest quality service to faculty, students, staff, alumni and visitors. With more than 260 major buildings on the Ithaca campus, approximately 1,000 highly talented and dedicated staff serve as stewards of campus resources and operations. The Director reports to the vice president of Facilities & Campus Services and partners with the VP in the strategic development, direction and implementation of business operations encompassing a broad and highly complex variety of funding sources and staff. In collaboration with the University Budget Office, the director develops departmental financial policies, develops long range forecasts, oversees department projects and advises the VP on business and financial matters. Serve as executive advisor and chief business officer providing oversight and leadership for a wide range of issues related to the financial and operational resources for a large and complex division with an operating budget of more than $230M; units include: Energy & Sustainability, Facilities Management, Engineering & Project Management, Transportation & Delivery Services, Environment Health and Safety, Contract College Facilities, and the University Architects office. The director works closely with the vice president, executive leadership, unit business managers and other various constituents (University, Division and other stakeholders), on short term goals, long-range planning and strategic direction of the division. Interprets and implements policies, practices and procedures to address complex issues. Provides expertise and guidance to the vice president and senior staff on programs and initiatives. This position will lead transformative streamlining initiatives to simplify processes and financial structures to reduce costs and provide value to the university. The director is responsible for the HR, Facilities Contracts and IT liaison functions and financial oversight and analysis of monthly/quarterly and annual financial reports. The finance function under the University budget office has responsibility for the budgeting, forecasting, reporting, analysis and project accounting operation. The financial staff is responsible for statutory, contract college, general purpose, enterprise, designated, gift and endowment funds and solving accounting issues. Ensures the accuracy, completeness and integrity of the financials and makes business recommendations to the VP and FCS leaders. In collaboration with the Division of Human Resources, provide oversight of human resources activities. Oversee the development, negotiation, execution and administration of contracts related to facilities management, design, construction and maintenance services. Manage the IT liaison function ensuring collaboration with CIT and providing project management and IT strategy. Responsible for unit specific internal controls except for financial controls under the University Budget Office. FCS is a cost recovery unit that utilizes multiple cost recovery methods, including central funding, billing rates and assessments. While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others. We are a value–based organization where all employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity. Facilities and Campus Services employees are required to attend staff development trainings and participate in the performance evaluation process.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree and 5 to 7 years’ experience in a financial or administrative management position, with progressive scope responsibility or equivalent combination.
• Broad understanding of information technologies and their applications, including financial and policy implications.
• Demonstrated strong analytical ability and financial management skills necessary to support a large, complex and dynamic environment.
• Ability to develop complex financial models and perform appropriate data analyses.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent written and oral communications, including formal presentations.
• Ability to prepare and integrate financial data for presentation.
• Proven experience connecting inclusion, belonging and wellbeing practices to business goals.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a union environment and higher education administration.
• Experience in employing key performance indicators in business process design and improvement.

Responsibilities

• Develops departmental financial policies.
• Develops long-range forecasts.
• Oversees department projects.
• Advises the VP on business and financial matters.
• Provides oversight and leadership for financial and operational resources.
• Works with the vice president, executive leadership, unit business managers and other various constituents on short term goals, long-range planning and strategic direction of the division.
• Interprets and implements policies, practices and procedures to address complex issues.
• Provides expertise and guidance to the vice president and senior staff on programs and initiatives.
• Leads transformative streamlining initiatives to simplify processes and financial structures to reduce costs and provide value to the university.
• Responsible for HR, Facilities Contracts and IT liaison functions.
• Responsible for financial oversight and analysis of monthly/quarterly and annual financial reports.
• Ensures the accuracy, completeness and integrity of the financials and makes business recommendations to the VP and FCS leaders.
• Provides oversight of human resources activities in collaboration with the Division of Human Resources.
• Oversees the development, negotiation, execution and administration of contracts related to facilities management, design, construction and maintenance services.
• Manages the IT liaison function ensuring collaboration with CIT and providing project management and IT strategy.
• Responsible for unit specific internal controls except for financial controls under the University Budget Office.

Benefits

• educational benefits
• access to a plethora of wellness programs
• employee discounts with local and national retail brands
• health care options to choose from
• generous paid leave provisions: 3 weeks of vacation leave, health and personal leave, 13 holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day), 2 floating holidays
• superior retirement contributions

What This Job Offers

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