Financial and Operations Manager - School of Professional and Continuing Education

James Madison University•Harrisonburg, VA

2d•$58,000 - $61,000•Onsite

About The Position

JMU's School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) fosters learning across lifespans through transformative education and enrichment. SPCE offers a range of programs, including youth camps, adult degree completion, professional and workforce development, and lifelong learning, as well as partners with academic units across JMU to support a number of online or off-campus degree and certificate programs. SPCE seeks a Finance and Operations Manager to provide strategic oversight and guidance on all of SPCE’s fiscal processes, including budgeting, fiscal reporting, reconciliation, and forecasting. As a self-supporting unit, SPCE’s financial operations are complex, dynamic, and multi-faceted, and we are seeking an experienced fiscal manager to advise and support SPCE leadership in financial and revenue generating activities.

Requirements

Fiscal management experience, including reporting, audits, reconciliation, and budgeting
Exceptional skills in Excel, data management, and forecasting
Experience in human resources and supervision
Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and visual)
Strong attention to detail, and ability to present complex data to multiple stakeholders

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education
Experience with state purchasing systems and regulations
Experience with PeopleSoft Student Administration, HR, and Finance

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the School of Professional & Continuing Education’s (SPCE) self-supporting financial and operational portfolio.
This position serves as the school’s chief financial and operations strategist, shaping long-term fiscal planning, resource allocation, and operational effectiveness in alignment with JMU’s mission and SPCE’s strategic plan.
Responsibilities span personnel and non-personnel budgets for programs across multiple colleges and schools, Sponsored Programs, and a variety of public/private partnerships.
This role operates at an elevated strategic level focusing on long-range financial planning, cross-university partnerships, and enterprise-level operational strategy to ensure SPCE remains financially strong and operationally agile as it expands its impact across JMU, the Commonwealth, and beyond.
Directs the development, implementation, and monitoring of multi-million-dollar operating and program budgets across SPCE and university partner colleges.
Designs sophisticated financial models and scenario-planning tools to guide strategic decision-making and enrollment planning.
Serves as a key member of the SPCE senior leadership team, delivering timely and actionable fiscal intelligence to inform immediate decisions and long-range strategies.
Partners closely with the SPCE’s Dean and Associate Dean and partner Deans to evaluate program and partner budgets for sustainability and return on investment, ensuring alignment with JMU¿s strategic and financial objectives.
Ensures compliance with all state, federal, and university fiscal regulations while establishing and continuously improving internal controls and auditing processes.
Functions as SPCE’s chief fiscal officer, coordinating and evaluating complex budgets across multiple funding streams and university partners.
Advises program directors and academic leaders on financially sound practices to support enrollment growth and long-term program viability.
Develops and communicates financial policies and procedures that meet state, federal, and JMU requirements, ensuring transparent and timely dissemination to stakeholders.
Oversees revenue distribution to academic units and partners, ensuring accuracy and strategic alignment.
Leads the preparation of high-level financial reports, forecasts, and technical analyses for internal and external stakeholders.
Provides strategic oversight for SPCE’s operations and facilities, supervising 2 full-time staff positions, by providing leadership, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
Ensures the operations team proactively identifies and addresses facility and operational needs to support program and operational excellence.
Oversees key HR and operational processes, including ePARs, PARs, and PAWs for instructor and staff compensation.
Builds a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, empowering staff to streamline processes and enhance service delivery across the school.