Director of Finance, Student Services

Nevada System of Higher Education • Reno, NV

5d • $115,260 - $144,075

About The Position

The University of Nevada, Reno is seeking applications for a Director of Finance for Student Services to provide strategic leadership and oversight for all fiscal planning, budgeting, and financial management functions within the Division of Student Services. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Student Services (VPSS) and serving as a key member of the Division’s senior leadership team, this position acts as the chief financial advisor to the VPSS, ensuring sound fiscal stewardship and alignment of financial strategy with divisional priorities. The Director serves as the primary liaison between Student Services and the University’s Planning, Budget, and Analysis Office, representing the Division on institutional budget matters and advancing best practices in financial planning and accountability. The role also provides guidance, training, and strategic support to departmental leaders across the Division to strengthen fiscal management capacity and ensure compliance with university policies and procedures. Key responsibilities include leading the comprehensive development, analysis, and oversight of Student Services budgets across all funding sources; producing complex financial modeling and scenario analyses; and delivering timely, accurate, and actionable financial reporting to inform executive decision-making. In partnership with the VPSS, the Director advises senior leadership on fiscal impacts, long-range financial planning, and resource allocation strategies. The Director oversees divisional budget tracking, forecasting, commitments, and expenditures, while identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness in budget administration. This role is critical to ensuring financial integrity, sustainability, and strategic resource alignment across the Division of Student Services.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and six (6) years of professional work experience OR Master’s Degree and four (4) years of professional work experience
• Budget planning, management, or business affairs experience acting as a leading manager over a group function or organization or related experience.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
• Progressive financial leadership experience within higher education, student affairs, or a complex public-sector environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing large, multi-fund budgets (including state funds, auxiliary, self-supporting, grants, and donor-restricted funds).
• Strong working knowledge of public-sector financial regulations, audit standards, and compliance requirements, including procurement, contracts, and internal controls.
• Experience supporting auxiliary and student-facing operations, such as housing, dining, student unions, health services, or student programs.
• Proven ability to provide strategic financial analysis and forecasting to senior leadership, informing data-driven decision-making.
• Experience with budget modeling, scenario planning, and resource allocation in response to enrollment, fee, or policy changes.
• Demonstrated success partnering with division leadership, campus finance offices, and external auditors to ensure fiscal stewardship and transparency.
• Advanced proficiency with financial management systems, ERP platforms, and reporting tools; ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable insights.
• Experience supervising and developing professional finance or administrative staff.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information to non-financial audiences, including student services leaders and governance bodies.
• Familiarity with risk management and financial implications related to student safety, compliance, and institutional liability.
• Commitment to equity, access, and student success, with the ability to align financial decisions with divisional mission and institutional priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all fiscal planning, budgeting, and financial management functions within the Division of Student Services.
• Act as the chief financial advisor to the VPSS, ensuring sound fiscal stewardship and alignment of financial strategy with divisional priorities.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Student Services and the University’s Planning, Budget, and Analysis Office, representing the Division on institutional budget matters and advancing best practices in financial planning and accountability.
• Provide guidance, training, and strategic support to departmental leaders across the Division to strengthen fiscal management capacity and ensure compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Lead the comprehensive development, analysis, and oversight of Student Services budgets across all funding sources.
• Produce complex financial modeling and scenario analyses.
• Deliver timely, accurate, and actionable financial reporting to inform executive decision-making.
• Advise senior leadership on fiscal impacts, long-range financial planning, and resource allocation strategies.
• Oversee divisional budget tracking, forecasting, commitments, and expenditures.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness in budget administration.

Benefits

• Remarkable Retirement: Your 19.25% contribution is generously matched by the University. With the faculty retirement plan, you are 100% vested your first day.
• Health insurance options including dental and vision
• Generous annual and sick leave and life insurance
• E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers annual or semester memberships and spouse/domestic partner membership options.
• Many local businesses offer discounts to WolfCard holders
• Mountain EAP supports employees (and eligible dependents) through life's difficult moments.
• No state income tax!
• Grants-in-Aid for Faculty Employees: The University is proud to provide a reduced-rate tuition benefit to faculty and qualified dependents.
• Faculty Dual Career Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

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