University of California San Diego

Director of Financial Affairs - 140895

Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in finance or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • In-depth knowledge of finance-related policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrated advanced fiscal/accounting skills and business management expertise.
  • Ability to perform complex financial analysis and create customized reports.
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and addition management skills.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement financial activities for the Computer Science and Engineering department.
  • Serve as principal fiscal advisor to departmental leadership and campus officials.
  • Oversee a $43M annual operating budget and manage extramural expenditures totaling $26M.
  • Provide direct supervision and mentorship to the fiscal affairs team.
  • Represent the department on university-wide committees related to finance and research.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work arrangement with a mix of on-campus and remote work.
  • Opportunity for training and professional development.
  • Engagement with a leading computer science and engineering department.
  • Access to a collaborative, high-volume, and dynamic work environment.
Full Job Description
Payroll Title:
FINANCIAL ANL 4 Department:
CMPTR SCI & ENGNRNG Hiring Pay Scale
$122,000 - $130,000 / Year Worksite:
Campus Appointment Type:
Career Appointment Percent:
100% Union:
Uncovered Total Openings:
1 Work Schedule:
Days, 8 hrs/day, Mon. - Fri.

#140895 Director of Financial Affairs
Filing Deadline: Fri 8/28/2026
Apply Now

DESCRIPTION

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:

The Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) department embodies the university's tradition of excellence as a world-class leader in computer science and engineering education and research. Ranked in the top 20 nationwide, the department is dedicated to research, education and overall excellence.

CSE has approximately 80+ faculty FTE, 20+ professional researchers, 50+ staff in career/casual titles, 150+ tutors, and 135+ TAs. There are over 1,700 undergraduate students enrolled in 4 majors, with annual enrollments of 25,000+. The department has a graduate education program with over 1,000 students (~350 PhD students and over 900 Master's students).

POSITION OVERVIEW:

In collaboration with the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Director of Financial Affairs is responsible for developing, coordinating, implementing and evaluating the financial activities of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). This role focuses on managing fiscal operations to ensure strong financial and administrative controls are in place.

Serving as a principal fiscal advisor to the CAO, Department Chair, Vice Chairs, faculty, and campus leadership, the Director exercises a high degree of independence, strategic judgment, and analytical expertise to resolve complex problems, navigate organizational change, and establish department fiscal policies and agreements. Responsible for short- and long-term financial analysis, forecasting, and resource planning across programs and personnel, the Director evaluates multifaceted problems to drive key objectives. They serve as a primary communicator and advisor, collaborating seamlessly with internal and external stakeholders across all levels of the organization.

The Director oversees a comprehensive portfolio that includes an annual operating budget of ~$43M, along with tracking ~$26M in extramural expenditures and ~$6M in restricted and unrestricted funds across federal, state, private, endowment, recharge, and industry accounts.

Manages the CSE fiscal affairs unit, provideing direct and indirect supervision to the fiscal team. The position will also be responsible for the training and mentoring of subordinate staff and other financial personnel throughout the department.

Serves as contact to the CSE administrative office for responses to fiscal requests, resolution of budget and/or financial issues, and exchange of budget information. Represents CSE on campus-wide committees related to finance, research, data and systems. May act in place of CAO during CAO absences.

~ This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, which includes a combination of three days on-campus (La Jolla) and two days remote.

~ Cover letter required for a complete application.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
  • Advanced knowledge of finance policies, practices, and systems. Superior demonstrated knowledge of various policies and procedures including pre- and post-award administration, purchasing, fabrications, disbursements, inventory, accounting, extramural funds, self-supporting activities, clinical activities, business contracts, state funds, gifts and endowments, technology transfer, intellectual property, patents, conflict of interest.
  • Strong demonstrated fiscal/accounting skills. Advanced knowledge of finance, general accounting practices, business management, fund accounting, audit trails, and use of cost centers. Demonstrated ability to interpret policy for others.
  • Ability to identify, collect, and analyze information from multiple sources. Strong ability to perform complex financial analysis and create customized reports as needed. Have the ability to analyze large volumes of financial data, extract pertinent information, build financial models, and prepare accurate reports in various formats.
  • Advanced ability to effectively present complex finance related information both verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.
  • In depth ability to use multiple spreadsheet and database software tools to gather information for specialized, complex financial analysis, fiscal management, and financial reports.
  • Advanced knowledge and understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting University resources.
  • Advanced interpersonal skills at all levels within the organization; advanced service orientation and critical thinking skills; and attention to detail. In depth ability to use organizational skills to multi-task in a high-volume environment. Demonstrated ability to interact professionally with academic, administrative, and staff personnel. Ability to use diplomacy and tact to negotiate and mediate conflicts among staff and faculty. Demonstrated ability to exercise high level of independent judgment and decision making. Ability to understand and follow the UCSD Principles of Community.
  • Ability to adapt to changing priorities. Strong ability to analyze constantly changing and competing demands and to independently develop objectives and set priorities.
  • Ability to function as a member of a team.
  • Strong knowledge of statistical principles and demonstrated ability to do statistical data analysis and interpretation. Excellent mathematical skills for calculations involving data projections and adjustments.
  • Excellent management and leadership skills. Excellent performance management and supervisory skills. Experience in supervising professional staff, fostering innovation, service and accountability, and ability to give clear instructions and guidelines. Ability to delegate and assign tasks, monitor production and quality of work, set clear and reasonable performance standards, and develop staff to their highest potential. Ability to teach/train staff in all aspects of job duties/responsibilities.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the importance of strategic planning, organizational structure, resource management, personnel management, communication, and protocol when implementing a solution.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to write and speak clearly, and to present detailed information and analysis in a clear and effective manner. Experience with proofreading and formatting written documents to meet reporting requirements.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
  • Cover letter required for a complete application.
  • Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background and Misconduct Check results.
  • Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.
  • Confidentiality is condition of employment due to access to sensitive materials.
  • This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, which includes a combination of three days on-campus (La Jolla) and two days remote.
Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $100,100 - $187,500 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $47.94 - $89.80

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Apply Now

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community .

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

About University of California San Diego

The University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) is a public research university in San Diego, California. Established in 1960 near the pre-existing Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego is the seventh-oldest of the 10 University of California campuses and offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, enrolling approximately 38,325 students. UC San Diego is organized into six undergraduate residential colleges (Revelle, John Muir, Thurgood Marshall, Earl Warren, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Sixth College) and five academic divisions (Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Jacobs School of Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences). The university operates 19 organized research units (ORUs), including the Center for Energy Research, Qualcomm Institute (a branch of the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology), and the San Diego Supercomputer Center.
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