PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITYThe Senior Director of Finance & Strategic Operations provides leadership for financial planning, organizational performance, enterprise initiatives, and operational improvement across The University of Toledo Foundation. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, the position translates strategic priorities into actionable plans, strengthens management reporting and decision support, coordinates cross-functional projects, and advances effective governance, risk management, and operational execution. The Senior Director serves as a trusted advisor and may represent the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer in designated meetings and initiatives.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIESThe following duties reflect management's assignment of essential functions; they do not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Financial Planning, Analysis and Decision Support- Lead the Foundation's annual operating and capital budgeting processes in collaboration with department leaders and senior management.
- Develop multiyear financial forecasts, long-range financial plans, and scenario models that support strategic priorities and assess financial sustainability.
- Prepare budget-to-actual reporting, forecasts, variance analysis, and management commentary; identify emerging issues and recommend corrective actions.
- Develop financial models and business cases for proposed programs, contracts, investments, real estate transactions, auxiliary operations, and other strategic opportunities.
- Maintain cash flow and liquidity forecasts in coordination with the Controller and provide analysis supporting treasury and capital decisions.
- Partner with department leaders to strengthen financial understanding, budget accountability, resource planning, and decision-making.
Enterprise Performance Management and Reporting- Lead development and ongoing administration of the Foundation's enterprise performance management framework.
- Establish consistent definitions, data sources, targets, reporting schedules, and accountability for key performance indicators.
- Coordinate performance reporting across finance, real estate, advancement, fund stewardship, gift processing, information systems, administration, and other functional areas.
- Prepare clear, timely, and actionable dashboards and management reports for senior leadership, the Foundation President, and Board committees.
- Facilitate regular performance reviews with department leaders, identify needed actions, and monitor progress toward organizational goals.
- Partner with Information Systems and data owners to improve the quality, accessibility, and effective use of information from NetSuite, Apex, and other enterprise systems.
Strategic Initiatives and Project Leadership- Translate strategic priorities and executive decisions into defined project plans, milestones, responsibilities, measures of success, and communication plans.
- Lead or coordinate high-priority initiatives that cross departmental or organizational boundaries.
- Maintain an enterprise portfolio of major projects, including status, risks, dependencies, resource needs, and decisions requiring executive attention.
- Facilitate project teams, promote accountability for agreed-upon deliverables, resolve barriers, and escalate significant issues when necessary.
- Conduct post-implementation reviews to determine whether initiatives achieved their intended operational, financial, and service outcomes.
- Represent the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer on designated committees, working groups, and initiatives as requested.
Operational Excellence and Organizational Effectiveness- Evaluate financial and administrative processes for efficiency, effectiveness, scalability, internal control, and service quality.
- Lead process mapping and continuous improvement efforts; identify opportunities to standardize, automate, simplify, or eliminate low-value work.
- Clarify workflows, decision rights, service expectations, and accountability across functions.
- Coordinate development and maintenance of critical procedures, operating documentation, and business continuity plans.
- Support organizational design, workforce planning, succession planning, and implementation of approved organizational changes.
- Monitor the effectiveness and return on investment of significant technology, process, and organizational initiatives.
Risk Management, Internal Controls and Governance Support- Coordinate the Foundation's enterprise risk management process and maintain an inventory of significant financial, operational, technology, compliance, and reputational risks.
- Track risk mitigation plans and implementation of recommendations from auditors, consultants, assessments, and management reviews.
- Partner with the Controller, Director of Auxiliary Services, Director of Information Systems, and other functional leaders to strengthen internal controls while preserving their direct responsibility for functional controls and compliance.
- Lead or support policy development, review, approval, implementation, communication, and periodic updating.
- Support preparation of materials for relevant Board and committee meetings and monitor follow-through on significant governance decisions.
- Assist in coordinating business continuity, knowledge transfer, and succession readiness for critical functions.
Leadership and Collaboration- Serve as a senior member of the Finance and Administration leadership team and advise the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer on financial, operational, organizational, and strategic matters.
- Build effective working relationships with Foundation and University leaders, employees, Board members, external partners, auditors, consultants, and service providers.
- Provide leadership and supervision to assigned staff, establish clear expectations, support professional development, and promote accountability.
- Coach department leaders and staff in financial analysis, planning, project management, process improvement, and performance accountability.
- Exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and act within delegated authority when representing the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer.
- Perform other duties and assume additional responsibilities as organizational needs evolve.
QUALIFICATIONS- Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field required; master's degree preferred.
- Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in financial planning and analysis, finance, accounting, operations, strategy, or a related area, including experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives.
- Experience in a university foundation, higher education, nonprofit organization, or other complex mission-driven environment preferred.
- Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, scenario analysis, management reporting, and business-case development.
- Working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, internal controls, enterprise risk management, and organizational governance.
- Demonstrated project leadership, process improvement, change management, and organizational problem-solving capabilities.
- Experience working with senior executives and Board or committee members and preparing executive-level presentations and reports.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and the ability to effectively use enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management, reporting, and visualization tools.
- CPA, CMA, MBA, or other relevant professional credential preferred but not required.
- Prior supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.
