Executive Director of Finance & Business Operations

Heritage University • Toppenish, WA

4d

About The Position

Under the direction of the Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Executive Director of Finance & Business Operations provides leadership, management, and operational oversight of the University's Business Office. The role ensures effective financial operations, timely completion of departmental responsibilities, sound internal controls, and accountability across Business Office functions. It oversees accounting, financial reporting, grants accounting, purchasing, accounts payable, payroll accounting, audit coordination, and related financial operations.

The Executive Director establishes operational priorities, manages departmental performance, delegates responsibilities, and promotes continuous improvement of financial processes and services. As a member of the University's financial leadership team, the Executive Director works closely with the CFO to translate institutional priorities into operational practices and foster collaboration, accountability, accuracy, and service. The position supervises the Senior Accountant and assigned Business Office personnel and is accountable for the overall effectiveness, timeliness, and performance of assigned Business Office functions. The CFO retains final authority over institutional financial strategy, major financial decisions, organizational structure, material financial risks, Board reporting, and other executive responsibilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience supervising employees and managing financial operations.
• Strong understanding of financial operations, accounting principles, internal controls, and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of nonprofit or higher education financial administration.
• Understanding of federal grant compliance, financial audits, and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of budgeting, financial management, purchasing, and organizational operations.
• Familiarity with enterprise financial systems and financial process improvement.
• Demonstrated leadership and employee management skills, including delegation, coaching, performance evaluation, and accountability.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities; ability to establish priorities, manage competing deadlines, and ensure timely execution.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to identify inefficiencies and implement sustainable improvements.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with University leadership and departments.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and commitment to institutional stewardship.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, accounting operations, or business administration.
• Higher education or nonprofit financial management experience.
• Experience with financial statement audits, Single Audits, and federal grant compliance.
• CPA or other relevant professional certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and operational oversight of the University's Business Office and assigned financial functions.
• Directly supervise, coach, and evaluate assigned Business Office employees, including accounting personnel.
• Set departmental expectations, responsibilities, deadlines, and performance standards; delegate and monitor work for accuracy and timeliness.
• Evaluate workflows, staffing needs, and distribution of responsibilities to improve operational effectiveness.
• Address performance concerns, recurring errors, and operational deficiencies through coaching, corrective action, and accountability in coordination with Human Resources.
• Promote a collaborative, respectful, and service-oriented departmental culture, including cross-training, continuity planning, and backup coverage.
• Lead regular departmental meetings to review priorities, progress, challenges, and deadlines.
• Oversee day-to-day accounting, accounts payable, purchasing, payroll accounting, grants accounting, financial reporting, and related financial operations.
• Establish and monitor month-end and year-end close, reconciliation, reporting, and other critical financial timelines.
• Ensure financial information is accurate, complete, and prepared on time for internal and external reporting.
• Oversee financial procedures and internal controls to safeguard University assets and ensure stewardship of resources.
• Monitor operations for risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement; collaborate with the CFO on cash flow, financial planning, and institutional priorities.
• Oversee accounting and administrative processes for operating funds, restricted funds, endowments, and other institutional resources.
• Ensure compliance with University financial policies, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate annual financial statement audits, Single Audits, and other financial reviews; maintain schedules, assign responsibilities, and monitor audit requests.
• Coordinate with accounting staff, Sponsored Programs, Financial Aid, and other departments to obtain audit documentation and resolve requests, discrepancies, and compliance deficiencies.
• Oversee corrective action plans resulting from audits and compliance reviews; support compliance with federal and state financial regulations and communicate significant risks or concerns to the CFO.
• Oversee Business Office processes supporting annual budget development and ongoing budget monitoring; coordinate with departments to provide accurate, timely, and accessible financial information.
• Support the CFO in evaluating financial performance, identifying emerging concerns, and recommending operational improvements.
• Oversee purchasing and expenditure processes to promote compliance with policies, budget controls, and authorization procedures.
• Support development and implementation of financial policies and procedures for effective stewardship of University resources.
• Provide operational oversight of grants accounting and restricted-fund administration, including assignment and timely completion of reconciliations, expenditure reviews, and financial reporting.
• Collaborate with Sponsored Programs and other departments on grant administration; correct grant accounting deficiencies and strengthen processes to prevent recurring errors.
• Evaluate Business Office processes and implement improvements to efficiency, accuracy, transparency, and accountability.
• Develop and maintain written financial procedures and internal workflows; support implementation, integration, and optimization of financial and administrative systems.
• Identify opportunities to streamline manual processes, reduce duplicated work, and strengthen financial reporting; set measurable goals and evaluate departmental performance.
• Translate CFO priorities and institutional objectives into departmental work plans and measurable deliverables; provide regular updates on operations, staffing, audits, deadlines, risks, and outstanding matters.
• Resolve operational matters within delegated authority, escalating significant concerns when necessary.
• Collaborate with University leadership and departments, represent the Business Office in assigned committees and initiatives, and support CFO-led strategic initiatives, organizational improvements, and special projects.
• Demonstrate capacity for progressively greater institutional financial leadership through sound decisions, effective management, and successful organizational improvements.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision health benefits.
• No-cost life insurance.
• Paid time off.
• 21 paid holidays.
• Matching 403(b) contribution after one year of service.
• Tuition waiver program.
• Additional plans available for purchase, including AFLAC and additional life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
• Employee engagement programs.

What This Job Offers

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