Divisional Finance Officer

Universities of Wisconsin•Milwaukee, WI

1d•$110,000 - $165,000

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Dean or Division Head, the Divisional Finance Officer (DFO) serves as the senior financial and business officer for an assigned division at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. The DFO provides leadership and direct oversight of the division’s day-to-day business and financial operations, including annual budget development, budget management, forecasting, and comprehensive oversight of divisional finances across many funding sources (including funds such as: state, tuition, grant & contract, gift, auxiliary, etc). This role requires interaction across division leadership and staff, university administration, central finance and business offices, human resources partners, and the UWM Foundation. As a member of the division’s leadership team, this role advises leadership on the financial implications of strategic initiatives, personnel and staffing decisions, grants and contracts, and long-range planning, while ensuring compliance with university, UW System, state, and external policies and regulations. The DFO supervises and develops financial staff and promotes excellence, effectiveness, and efficiency in business operations through sound fiscal stewardship and continuous improvement. The position plays a critical role in supporting the financial integrity, sustainability, and mission success of both the division and the university.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in accounting, business administration, finance, relevant field, or a relevant professional certification.
3+ years of professional work experience performing directly related work within a similar function.
Demonstrated knowledge of financial principles, budgeting practices, and accounting standards, with experience applying this knowledge to planning, forecasting, and resource allocation decisions.
Strong analytical skills, including experience performing complex financial analysis, developing forecasts, and preparing management-level financial reports to support decision-making.
Experience working independently in a complex organizational environment, exercising sound judgment and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Prior supervisory experience, with demonstrated ability to lead and develop a team.
Directly related experience working in Finance in a public university setting
Proven track record of collaboration and advancing initiatives across all levels of an organization.
Experience with Restricted Funds, Grants Management or similar externally funded programs.
Advanced proficiency with financial analysis and reporting tools, including complex spreadsheet modeling, financial systems, and dashboards.
Experience with ERP Systems, including Workday or similar platforms.

Responsibilities

Serves as the primary business advisor, liaison, and partner to divisional leadership and key stakeholder groups.
Develops the division's financial strategy including planning, forecasts, budgets, and cash management that focus on attaining and sustaining long-term financial equilibrium in collaboration with university leadership.
Works with senior administrative and academic leadership to design, establish, and maintain an administrative organizational structure to effectively and efficiently accomplish goals and objectives while appropriately defining duties and mitigating risk.
Directs and coordinates all accounting and budgetary functions of the Division, including purchasing, employee payroll, travel reimbursements, deposits, program revenue accounting, and state appropriations budget and accounting, and grants management.
Assesses processes, staffing, and systems to identify opportunities for improvement and streamlining on a regular basis.
Serves as a major point of contact and catalyst for problem resolution.
Provides insightful and diplomatic communications.
Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
Serves as member of the Division’s Leadership Team, working collaboratively to establish and support the overall vision and strategic direction of the division.
Partners with key financial management offices in Business & Financial Services and the Office of Research.