Senior Director for Finance and Administration

The University of Texas at Austin • Austin, UT

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Director for Finance and Administration serves as the chief business officer for the university’s School of Computing, which includes the departments of Computer Science, Information, and Statistics and Data Science. The role provides executive-level leadership and oversight across finance, human resources, faculty affairs, research administration, and business operations. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Director leads core administrative functions, translates school priorities into operational plans, and ensures coordinated delivery of administrative services. The position also represents the school in university-wide business administration forums and serves as a primary liaison with the College of Natural Sciences, the Office of Accounting, and other central university offices.

The role is based on the UT Main Campus and generally follows standard business hours, with additional hours required during peak periods. Occasional travel for university business may be required. The position is expected to continue, and the earliest start date is immediately.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or a related field.
• Eight to ten years of progressively responsible experience in financial and business operations management, including budget development, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• At least five years of supervisory experience, including hiring, developing, and managing professional staff.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing human resources, faculty affairs, and/or research administration functions within a complex organization.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to advise senior leadership and build effective relationships across a large institution.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or a related field.
• CPA or equivalent certification.
• Experience in higher education business administration, particularly within a college, school, or comparable academic unit.
• Familiarity with university budgeting, accounting, and compliance systems and processes, such as state and federal grant compliance, indirect cost recovery, and endowment and gift fund management.
• Experience overseeing research administration in an academic setting.

Responsibilities

• Advise school leadership on financial management, human resources, research operations support, and administrative matters.
• Lead development and refinement of the school's business and administrative operating model, identifying ways to improve coordination, streamline processes, establish consistent practices, and strengthen service delivery.
• Hire, supervise, and develop staff while fostering a strong service orientation and high performance standards.
• Serve as a resource to and collaborate with the business officers of the school's three departments.
• Oversee school business functions, including accounting and reporting, and ensure sound fiscal management, appropriate controls, and effective business operations.
• Promote efficient and effective use of school resources and recommend and implement process improvements and efficiencies.
• Provide financial planning and analysis for the school; coordinate annual budget recommendations and five-year budget planning.
• Work with the School Head and Executive Director to implement financial and human resources goals and priorities, including merit processes, faculty budgets, indirect cost return distributions, and financial commitments.
• Establish and maintain internal accounting controls and ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal policies and procedures.
• Review and approve business-related forms and transactions.
• Oversee HR, Faculty Affairs, and Research Administration functions through supervision of their respective team leads, and support the establishment of those teams and related school policies.
• Coordinate cross-team processes to support ongoing operational effectiveness, consistent practices, coordination with departments and central university offices, and continuous improvement in service delivery.
• Represent the school to university administrative offices and build collaborative relationships across the institution.
• Support the business officers and operations of the three school departments.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) retirement plan eligibility, subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

What This Job Offers

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