Duke University

DIR, Finance

Duke University • $113K — $226K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 10 years of related experience in business or administration.
  • Experience in budgeting and financial operations within complex organizations is preferred.
  • Demonstrated success in leading finance teams and financial planning initiatives.
  • Strong understanding of financial compliance and audit processes.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the budgeting, forecasting, and management of OIT's financial resources.
  • Provide strategic financial guidance to senior leadership on major financial decisions.
  • Direct financial accounting activities and ensure fiscal compliance with university policies.
  • Collaborate with departments to manage budgets and analyze variances.
  • Guide financial analysis for strategic initiatives and capital projects.
  • Develop and deliver comprehensive financial reports and metrics for decision-making.
  • Oversee grant-related financial administration and ensure compliance with applicable standards.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical and dental care programs.
  • Generous retirement benefits.
  • Access to family-friendly programs and cultural activities.
  • Professional development opportunities through workforce planning and coaching.
  • Hybrid work arrangement with in-person meetings in Durham, NC.
Full Job Description
DIR, FINANCE

At Duke University Office of Information Technology (OIT), financial stewardship is essential to advancing the technologies that support world-class education, research, healthcare, and administration. As the Director of Finance, you will provide strategic financial leadership for one of Duke's largest and most dynamic organizations, ensuring sound fiscal management while helping drive innovation across the university.

In this highly visible leadership role, you will oversee OIT's budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, accounting operations, and fiscal compliance functions. You will partner with senior leaders, directors, managers, and university stakeholders to develop financial strategies, support complex business decisions, and ensure responsible management of university resources.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and analytical leader who can translate complex financial information into actionable insights. You thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy building relationships across diverse stakeholder groups, and are passionate about using financial strategy to support organizational success.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience

Minimum of 10 years of related business or administrative experience demonstrating competence in applying general accounting principles, personnel practices, and coordination of major administrative functions. OR An equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience leading complex budgeting and financial operations within higher education, healthcare, technology, or similarly complex organizations.
  • Experience managing financial planning, forecasting, and resource allocation strategies.
  • Demonstrated success leading and developing accounting, finance, or business operations teams.
  • Experience supporting grants, restricted funds, capital projects, and strategic initiatives.
  • Strong understanding of financial compliance, internal controls, and audit practices.
  • Excellent communication and relationship management skills with the ability to influence senior leadership and key stakeholders.

Work Arrangement

Hybrid position with weekly meetings in Durham, NC.

As Director of Finance, you will:
  • Lead and coordinate the preparation, management, forecasting, and monitoring of OIT's operating, capital, reserve, and restricted-fund budgets.
  • Provide strategic financial guidance and recommendations to the Vice President/CIO and senior leadership regarding major financial decisions, business opportunities, and organizational investments.
  • Direct all financial accounting activities, including financial reporting, analysis, projections, transaction management, and fiscal compliance.
  • Oversee procurement, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll-related financial activities, and asset management in accordance with Duke policies and procedures.
  • Partner with departments and organizational leaders to ensure adherence to budgets, investigate variances, and develop long-range financial plans.
  • Lead financial analysis for major programs, strategic initiatives, capital projects, vendor relationships, and business opportunities.
  • Direct the development and delivery of financial reports, performance metrics, forecasts, and cost-management information that support informed decision-making across OIT.
  • Provide leadership for pricing strategies, recovery models, demand and capacity planning, and financial sustainability initiatives.
  • Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Payment Card Industry (PCI) requirements, Duke policies, and other applicable standards while strengthening internal controls and financial processes.
  • Oversee grant-related financial administration, including proposal development support, expense tracking, reporting, overhead recovery, and grant closeout activities.
  • Lead and develop the OIT Budget and Finance team, including hiring, performance management, coaching, workforce planning, and professional development.

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $113,352.00 to USD $226,705.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

About Duke University

Duke University is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present-day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. Duke's campus spans over 8,600 acres on three contiguous campuses in Durham as well as a marine lab in Beaufort. Duke University is consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the United States and is a member of the prestigious Ivy League. Duke is also known for its highly ranked medical, law, and business schools. Duke University has a diverse student body, with students from all 50 states and over 100 countries. Duke University was founded in 1838 and is located in Durham, North Carolina.
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