Director of Finance, Controller, Texas Institute for Electronics

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE) is a University of Texas at Austin-supported semiconductor consortium focused on developing and executing a state-of-the-art 3D Heterogenous Integration manufacturing technology roadmap and providing critical pilot manufacturing capabilities. With significant funding from the US DoD and the state of Texas, TIE is at the forefront of creating advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment and processes. This position serves as a senior financial steward, providing leadership and oversight of accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and regulatory compliance. The role acts as the primary liaison to central university offices and ensures financial activities comply with institutional policies, state and federal regulations, and sponsored program requirements. Working closely with the VP of Finance, the Finance Director / Controller supports sound financial management, transparency, and informed decision-making.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required
Ten years of progressively responsible experience in accounting and finance, including significant experience in controllership, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial management.
Demonstrated expertise in U.S. GAAP, internal controls, and financial close processes, with a proven track record of maintaining accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting.
Proven experience overseeing month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close, including consolidation, journal entries, reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
Strong leadership experience managing and developing accounting and finance teams, with the ability to establish clear expectations, improve processes, and build a high-performing, collaborative culture.
Experience partnering with executive leadership and operational stakeholders to provide strategic financial insights, scenario analysis, and decision support.
High level of proficiency with ERP systems and financial reporting tools, along with strong Microsoft Excel capabilities.
Demonstrated success designing, documenting, and improving processes, policies, and internal controls, including support of audits, tax compliance, and regulatory filings.
Strong understanding of cash flow management, working capital optimization, and risk management.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex financial information to non-finance stakeholders and senior leadership.
Must qualify as a U.S. Person as defined in 22 CFR § 120.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting or closely related field
Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or CMA strongly preferred
Demonstrated experience managing government grants and state and federal funding, including compliance with funding requirements, financial reporting, monitoring allowable costs, audit support, and coordination with program and external stakeholders.
Advanced proficiency in financial modeling, budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning, with the ability to link operational drivers to financial outcomes.
Experience with BI and analytics platforms (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, SQL) strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Serves as the organization’s primary point of contact and liaison to central university offices such as the Office of Accounting and Internal Audits.
Creates and monitors internal financial controls to safeguard financial assets and ensure compliance with UT processes, policies, and procedures, state and federally sponsored programs guidelines, and both state and federal law.
Maintains accounting records for all TIE accounts.
Tracks financial and non-financial commitments.
Conducts required monthly reconciliations; monitors discrepancies with account balances, reviews accounts for overages or deficits, insufficient funds, incorrect object codes, etc.; and processes corrections as needed.
Responsible for financial and regulatory reporting, including the development and creation of financial and budgetary reports; reviews, analyzes, interprets, and explains financial and budgetary reports and results; and provides senior management with financial information, variance explanations, and financial narratives necessary to control firm operations.
Oversees the development of financial accounting systems required to maintain reporting requirements and identifies and implements system and process improvements to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of finance processes and decision-making.
Oversees account structure including unit codes, subunit codes, and accounts, to ensure financial information is captured in a way to enable analysis and supplemental financial reporting and to ensure accounts are requested and inactivated in a timely manner to track and report spending.
Monitors and reports on account balances and processes funding transfers.
Participates in the development of the organization’s budget and ensures financial activity aligns with the budget.
Works closely with the VP of Finance to help inform organizational decision-making.

Benefits

Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 8.25% employer matching funds
Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
Tuition assistance
Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card