The University of Arizona

Assistant Director, Finance and Administration, UA Libraries

The University of Arizona$75K — $98K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
  • Minimum of 3 years related experience or equivalent educational combination required.
  • Experience in higher education or government accounting preferred.
  • Familiarity with UA policies and procedures and UAccess systems is a plus.
  • Strong leadership and supervisory skills are essential.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as fiscal officer for UAL accounts and oversee financial transactions.
  • Execute budget development, monitoring, and reforecasting.
  • Supervise and mentor staff to foster accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Ensure timely processing of payroll transactions and reconciliations.
  • Conduct financial reporting and ensure accurate completion of activities.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work schedule with work on-site Monday through Thursday and remote on Friday.
  • Full benefits package available to employees.
  • Opportunities for professional development and training.
  • Supportive working environment that values collaboration and innovation.
Full Job Description
Assistant Director, Finance and Administration, UA Libraries

Posting Number
req26699

Department
UA Library Administration ADM

Department Website Link
https://lib.arizona.edu/about/organization

Location
Tucson Campus

Address
Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights

The University of Arizona's Libraries (UAL) is seeking a strategic, analytical finance professional to join our Library Business Team as Assistant Director, Finance & Administration. Working closely with the Director, Finance & Administration, you will help oversee the financial stewardship of approximately $35M in annual resources. In this role, you will manage accounts, budgets, sponsored projects, and financial reporting while supervising a team of three dedicated staff.

This position performs specialized financial activities that require sound professional judgment, strong analytical skills, professional application of accounting principles, financial management, and regulatory compliance. You will collaborate with UAL leadership to support strategic budget decisions, evaluate financial trends, improve business processes, and ensure resources are aligned with institutional priorities. Through supervisory leadership, training, and performance management, you will help build a high-performing team supporting the Libraries' financial and operational excellence.

This position offers a hybrid work schedule, with on-site work Monday through Thursday and remote work on Friday.

The first review of applications will begin on August 13, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Duties & Responsibilities

Financial Operations:
  • Serve as fiscal officer for all UAL accounts.
  • Review and approve financial transactions with accuracy and compliance.
  • Oversee the processing and reconciliation of day-to-day transactions.
  • Lead monthly reconciliation processes and resolve discrepanciespromptly.
  • Assist faculty and staff with business-related requests.
  • Interpret and apply UA and sponsor regulations, policies, andprocedures.
  • Oversee payroll transactions and ensure timely processing.
  • Oversee the Information Access (Library Materials and Subscriptions)budget of $15.3M, monitoring activity and transactions, including the API file feed process.

Budget & Financial Management:
  • Execute budget development, monitoring, and reforecasting processes.
  • Manage budget transfers and track financial performance against budget,including variance analysis.
  • Support fiscal year-end processes.
  • Manage and support pre- and post-award grant activity.
  • Oversight of UAFoundation activity and serve as a unit designee.

Supervisory:
  • Supervise, mentor, and develop staff, fostering a culture ofaccountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Establish clear performance expectations and provide regular coaching, feedback,and performance evaluations.
  • Manage workload distribution and staffing to ensure operationaleffectiveness.
  • Collaborate with the Director to support the Libraries' financialprocesses and goals.

Reporting & Analysis:
  • Conduct financial reporting and analysis, ensuring the timely and accuratecompletion of monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial activities.
  • Provide regular updated reports to grant Pls and Project leads.
  • Review and validate routine financial reports (budget vs. actuals,P&L, etc.) prior to distribution.
  • Ensure the accuracyand completeness of financial data used for reporting and forecasting.
  • Support the development and maintenance of dashboards and reportingtools.
  • Provide reports for external surveys (ACRL, ARL, UAAP).

Knowledge,Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
  • Strongleadership and supervisory skills, including performance management, coaching,and staff development.
  • Knowledge of accounting, finance, and industry principles,practices, and procedures.
  • Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Stronganalytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to research, interpret,and communicate financial data.
  • Ability to demonstrate initiative, optimism, flexibility, time management, andfollow-through.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
  • Abilityto maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitiveinformation.
  • Ability to work in a highly collaborative environment, onethat values and leverages the benefits of a multitude of perspectives.
  • Ability to demonstrate a positive attitude and a strongdemonstration of UA Libraries' Values: Collaboration, Continuous Learning,Innovation, and Integrity.


This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attainedthrough professional level experience required.
  • Minimum of 3 years of related work experience orequivalent combination of education and work experience required.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in higher education or government accounting and budgeting, including various fund types.
  • Experience with UA policies and procedures and UAccess systems.


FLSA
Exempt

Full Time/Part Time
Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week
40

Job FTE
1.0

Work Calendar
Fiscal

Job Category
Finance

Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay
$75,540 - $98,201

Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade
10

Compensation Guidance
The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level
M1

Job Family
Finance Business Partner

Job Function
Finance

Type of criminal background check required:
Fingerprint criminal background check (security sensitive due to job duties)

Number of Vacancies
1

Target Hire Date
9/14/2026

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates
Samantha Sowerby
Director, Finance and Administration
[email protected]

Open Date
8/4/2026

Open Until Filled
Yes

Documents Needed to Apply
Resume and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant

About The University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is a public research university in Tucson, Arizona. Founded in 1885, the UA was the first university in the Arizona Territory. As of 2021, the university enrolls 45,918 students in 19 separate colleges/schools, including the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson and Phoenix and the James E. Rogers College of Law, and is affiliated with two academic medical centers (Banner - University Medical Center Tucson and Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix). The University of Arizona is one of the elected members of the Association of American Universities (an organization of North America's premier research institutions) and is the only representative from the state of Arizona to this group. UA athletes have won national titles in several sports, most notably men's basketball, baseball, and softball. The official colors of the university and its athletic teams are cardinal red and navy blue.
Learn more about The University of Arizona
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