Job Description

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.
Position Summary:

Reporting to the Executive Director, Business Operations, the Director of Finance and Administration has management and oversight of multiple operational support functions that serve as the backbone for the fundraising and engagement efforts of the Development and Alumni Relations Division at Rice University. These functions encompass finance, budget, IT desktop support, and office management for a division of approximately 160 staff members. This individual participates in the team that aids in implementing the vice president's overall strategic vision and strategy for the division, providing specific updates to the team related to administrative and financial activities and annual planning efforts. The Director of Finance and Administration operates as troubleshooter, problem-solver, and advisor when special administrative, financial, and IT support issues arise within the division; serves in an advisory capacity for budget preparations by departmental budget managers and the vice president for development and alumni relations; and serves as the division's source of information for applicable university policies and procedures.

The ideal candidate for this position is strongly detail-oriented with an analytical background; is an excellent communicator and relationship builder, having an ability to both advise and maintain confidentiality on sensitive, and sometimes complicated, administrative issues; and is a leader with demonstrated success in managing and guiding a team or program in achieving the goals that support the mission of the institution.

Workplace Requirements:

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Four or more (4+) years of related professional experience in administration, budget management, and/or financial reporting, including experience in managing people, systems, processes, and functions

Skills:

• Demonstrated leadership, supervisory, planning and change management skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to influence people, solve problems, troubleshoot, think creatively and resolve conflicts
• Advanced financial expertise in budget planning and financial forecasting
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent data analysis skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
• Maturity in judgment and ability to maintain confidentiality

Preferences:

• Master's Degree
• 5+ years of related professional experience described above
• Previous work in a similar role at Rice University, or at another university or non-profit organization
• Familiarity with fund accounting
• Experience in collaborating with executive-level leadership
• Ability to translate executive leadership needs into understandable and actionable items
• Ability to effectively create documentation and training materials and to conduct training sessions in an efficient and understandable format
• Strong computer skills in a Windows environment with ability to import, export, and analyze financial data
• Relevant financial industry certifications

Essential Functions:

• Provides operational support and serves as divisional expert on campus enterprise system (Oracle) for financial reporting procurement, and expense reporting processes
• Collaborates with the Talent Management team in Development and Alumni Relations on hiring divisional staff
• Manages a divisional budget of approximately $21M and facilitates the annual budget process, providing reports/metrics to the executive leadership team
• Maintains databases and provides oversight for tracking divisional expenditures
• Manages space allocation and directs/coordinates facilities maintenance and security access for staff areas
• Develops, refines, interprets, and implements policies for the division
• Oversees the IT effort in the division, including the installation, support, and security of desktop systems
• Directly manages two administrative staff and one IT staff member, with indirect oversight of the receptionist and reception function
• Accountable for the professional development and performance of direct reports
• Maintains contact with various administrators on campus and attends administrator and finance forums, staying up to date on university initiatives and the potential impact on the division
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions:

• Participates in benchmarking efforts, including compilation of data for external surveys
• Participates in salary and wage administration efforts, including survey reviews
• Evaluates the effectiveness of business processes and facilitates revisions as needed
• Has frequent contact with division staff and other university offices
• Works with outside vendors as needed

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview

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