Senior Director of Finance & Strategic Operations

The University of Toledo Foundation•Toledo, OH

About The Position

The Senior Director of Finance & Strategic Operations provides leadership for financial planning, organizational performance, enterprise initiatives, and operational improvement across The University of Toledo Foundation. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, the position translates strategic priorities into actionable plans, strengthens management reporting and decision support, coordinates cross-functional projects, and advances effective governance, risk management, and operational execution. The Senior Director serves as a trusted advisor and may represent the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer in designated meetings and initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field required
Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in financial planning and analysis, finance, accounting, operations, strategy, or a related area, including experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives.
Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, scenario analysis, management reporting, and business-case development.
Working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, internal controls, enterprise risk management, and organizational governance.
Demonstrated project leadership, process improvement, change management, and organizational problem-solving capabilities.
Experience working with senior executives and Board or committee members and preparing executive-level presentations and reports.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and the ability to effectively use enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management, reporting, and visualization tools.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Experience in a university foundation, higher education, nonprofit organization, or other complex mission-driven environment preferred.
CPA, CMA, MBA, or other relevant professional credential preferred but not required.
Prior supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the Foundation's annual operating and capital budgeting processes in collaboration with department leaders and senior management.
Develop multiyear financial forecasts, long-range financial plans, and scenario models that support strategic priorities and assess financial sustainability.
Prepare budget-to-actual reporting, forecasts, variance analysis, and management commentary; identify emerging issues and recommend corrective actions.
Develop financial models and business cases for proposed programs, contracts, investments, real estate transactions, auxiliary operations, and other strategic opportunities.
Maintain cash flow and liquidity forecasts in coordination with the Controller and provide analysis supporting treasury and capital decisions.
Partner with department leaders to strengthen financial understanding, budget accountability, resource planning, and decision-making.
Lead development and ongoing administration of the Foundation's enterprise performance management framework.
Establish consistent definitions, data sources, targets, reporting schedules, and accountability for key performance indicators.
Coordinate performance reporting across finance, real estate, advancement, fund stewardship, gift processing, information systems, administration, and other functional areas.
Prepare clear, timely, and actionable dashboards and management reports for senior leadership, the Foundation President, and Board committees.
Facilitate regular performance reviews with department leaders, identify needed actions, and monitor progress toward organizational goals.
Partner with Information Systems and data owners to improve the quality, accessibility, and effective use of information from NetSuite, Apex, and other enterprise systems.
Translate strategic priorities and executive decisions into defined project plans, milestones, responsibilities, measures of success, and communication plans.
Lead or coordinate high-priority initiatives that cross departmental or organizational boundaries.
Maintain an enterprise portfolio of major projects, including status, risks, dependencies, resource needs, and decisions requiring executive attention.
Facilitate project teams, promote accountability for agreed-upon deliverables, resolve barriers, and escalate significant issues when necessary.
Conduct post-implementation reviews to determine whether initiatives achieved their intended operational, financial, and service outcomes.
Represent the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer on designated committees, working groups, and initiatives as requested.
Evaluate financial and administrative processes for efficiency, effectiveness, scalability, internal control, and service quality.
Lead process mapping and continuous improvement efforts; identify opportunities to standardize, automate, simplify, or eliminate low-value work.
Clarify workflows, decision rights, service expectations, and accountability across functions.
Coordinate development and maintenance of critical procedures, operating documentation, and business continuity plans.
Support organizational design, workforce planning, succession planning, and implementation of approved organizational changes.
Monitor the effectiveness and return on investment of significant technology, process, and organizational initiatives.
Coordinate the Foundation's enterprise risk management process and maintain an inventory of significant financial, operational, technology, compliance, and reputational risks.
Track risk mitigation plans and implementation of recommendations from auditors, consultants, assessments, and management reviews.
Partner with the Controller, Director of Auxiliary Services, Director of Information Systems, and other functional leaders to strengthen internal controls while preserving their direct responsibility for functional controls and compliance.
Lead or support policy development, review, approval, implementation, communication, and periodic updating.
Support preparation of materials for relevant Board and committee meetings and monitor follow-through on significant governance decisions.
Assist in coordinating business continuity, knowledge transfer, and succession readiness for critical functions.
Serve as a senior member of the Finance and Administration leadership team and advise the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer on financial, operational, organizational, and strategic matters.
Build effective working relationships with Foundation and University leaders, employees, Board members, external partners, auditors, consultants, and service providers.
Provide leadership and supervision to assigned staff, establish clear expectations, support professional development, and promote accountability.
Coach department leaders and staff in financial analysis, planning, project management, process improvement, and performance accountability.
Exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and act within delegated authority when representing the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer.
Perform other duties and assume additional responsibilities as organizational needs evolve.