Senior Executive Director

Arizona State University•Phoenix, AZ

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Under administrative guidance, the Senior Executive Director plans, directs, and manages the operational and financial aspects of Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. The role provides leadership and strategic vision consistent with the University’s mission and ensures operational effectiveness and efficiency through appropriate controls, procedures, and personnel. It oversees business and administrative matters, including budgets, operations, programs, and personnel administration, and provides financial analysis and strategic planning. The position reports directly to the Dean and supervises leads in Budget and Finance, Human Resources, Research Advancement Post-Award, Information Technology, and Space and Facilities. It works closely with the Executive Management Team and senior leadership, as well as ASU operations and administrative units and external constituencies. The position is based at ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus. Work is performed in an environmentally controlled office setting and involves extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and using a computer mouse, as well as standing and walking moderate distances. Occasional bending, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling of up to 25 pounds may be required. Driving is not required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 11 years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment or field, including 7 years of managerial experience, or an equivalent combination of experience and/or training.
Knowledge of management and supervisory principles and practices.
Knowledge of budget management methods and techniques.
Knowledge of strategic planning principles and practices.
Knowledge of Human Resources and organizational management principles, concepts, and practices.
Knowledge of accounting and budgeting practices and principles, including government accounting principles for college and university external financial reporting.
Ability to work with a complex university community and multiple external constituencies.
Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Ability to plan, analyze, and coordinate activities and establish priorities.
Ability to manage, mentor, lead, supervise, and evaluate staff effectively.
Ability to develop and execute forecast and tracking models integrating statistical and financial information.
Ability to analyze and evaluate strategic plans, econometric forecasts, and fiscal policy, economic, or political factors affecting strategic planning.
Ability to think strategically, anticipate future consequences and trends, and incorporate them into organizational plans.
Ability to build organizational and staff capacity and develop a workforce and processes that support smooth operations.
Ability to act decisively with limited information, take charge, overcome resistance to leadership, and take unpopular stands when necessary.
Thorough understanding of finance, systems, and HR, with broad experience across business functions including strategic development and planning, budgeting, business analysis, finance, information systems, human resources, and marketing.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and outstanding oral, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to interface effectively with center directors, people at all levels within BDI, and external constituencies.
Ability to stimulate changes in individual, institutional, and corporate behaviors to create a more sustainable environment.
Ability to lead by example in communicating, participating in, and encouraging support for institutional sustainability programs.

Nice To Haves

Ten years in a prior senior management role with organizational fiscal accountability and a track record of exceeding goals, strong decision-making, and successfully facilitating progressive structural and functional change or development in a growing organization.
Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

Provide daily operational direction and guidance aligned with the mission and values of the University and college.
Collaborate with the Executive Management Team on operational matters and execution of strategic goals and objectives.
Lead the development, communication, and implementation of growth strategies and supporting processes.
Develop, implement, and assess plans for operational infrastructure, systems, and processes.
Advise senior leadership on financial and operational performance and recommend strategies to address issues and improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Plan, direct, coordinate, and review the annual budget process and implement methods to achieve or surpass fiscal goals.
Prepare and submit annual operational, financial, and regulatory reports to senior leadership.
Promote equity in budgetary and personnel decision-making.
Develop, implement, and review operating procedures, policies, internal controls, and accounting standards to support resource use and compliance with applicable regulations.
Design and implement benchmarking metrics comparing performance with other colleges or institutions, identify deficits, and recommend improvements.
Develop and implement methods to support cooperative relationships between the college, other ASU areas, and external constituencies.
Implement human resources management methods and strategies to promote high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement, consulting with ASU Human Resources and OKED HR as needed.
Oversee Information Technology, ensure compliance with security and training requirements, and support effective IT practices.
Oversee space allocations, remodels and renovations, furniture acquisition, moves, signage, and building access.
Serve as the college liaison to ASU operations infrastructure units and counterpart units in the Provost’s Office, including Budget, Financial Services, Travel, Purchasing, Auditing, Risk Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities, Space Management, the Architect’s Office, UTO, ASU Human Resources, and Research Operations.