Finance Associate Director

Universities of Wisconsin • Madison, WI

5d • $125,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Finance Associate Director position offers an exciting opportunity for a finance leader who enjoys managing people, tackling complex financial challenges, and contributing meaningfully to a dynamic campus division. This role provides both strategic direction and hands-on oversight of the division’s accounting team, and reports to the Chief Financial Officer within UW-Madison’s Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M). The Finance Associate Director manages an accounting team in daily operations, financial analysis, and reporting. Guidance from this role is vital in completing GAAP financial entries, reconciliation of financial transactions, enhancing internal controls, and streamlining processes. Serving a large and multifaceted division, the Finance Associate Director develops and implements methodologies for divisional expense allocations and leads key strategic initiatives designed to improve financial accuracy. Additionally, this position collaborates with the Budget Planner to coordinate the division’s budget development and forecasting models, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and that all timelines and deliverables are met. Full-Time: 100% FTE Ongoing/Renewable This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Remote work requires an approved flexible work arrangement (FWA), which is reviewed and approved annually. An FWA requires successful candidates to possess their own high-speed internet and phone to perform the work on a university provided computer. Per University policy, transportation between home and assigned work location is not payable/reimbursable and will be at the expense of the employee.

Requirements

• Prior experience supervising advanced accounting staff by establishing goals, monitoring and coaching progress, training, and proving growth paths
• At least 5 years' experience in accounting including overseeing financial operations and leading financial review meetings
• Experience with hands-on development of complex budget and forecasting models including developing cost allocation methodologies
• Experience analyzing financial data and creating financial reports
• Experience with financial software systems including configuration, data conversion, and maintenance
• Ability to interpret and apply complex fiscal policies and procedures to ensure compliance with established rules, regulations, and financial guidelines
• Ability to develop strategic financial plans for complex organizations
• Ability to identify and solve problems independently and collaboratively
• Ability to prioritize and delegate tasks, while also managing competing deadlines
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a large, complex organization that required working cross functionally to execute tasks
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
• Knowledge of UW, State, and Federal rules and regulations and/or experience managing finances within an institution of higher education
• Financial System implementation experience
• Knowledge of Workday software

Responsibilities

• Recommends, interprets, disseminates and implements unit-focused fiscal policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with established rules, regulations and financial guidelines
• Participates in the development, maintenance, and monitoring of automated financial information systems and accounts and ledgers for multiple functional areas
• Directs the solicitation, review, and awarding of funds from grant programs and integrated research projects occasionally
• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
• Plans, schedules and directs financial operations, budgets, allocations and compensation plans for a specific fiscal work unit
• Implements the unit personnel resource allocation plan including hiring, training, supervision, and resolution of personnel issues

Benefits

• This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.

What This Job Offers

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