Executive Director of Operations, Finance

Department

About the Department

Job Summary

Responsibilities

• Leads the development, implementation, and monitoring of annual and long-range operating budgets for all VP Operations entities. 
• Prepares financial forecasts, analyzes budget-to-actual variances, and ensures compliance with established financial targets. 
• Oversees long-range funding models,identifies underperforming entities, and recommends financial and operational improvements. 
• Stewards capital budgets for ITS (Information Technology Services) and DSS (Department of Safety and Security), including project lifecycle management. 
• Establishes, documents, communicates, and implements financial, accounting, andrecharge administration standards, policies, and internal controls. 
• Ensures adherence to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including revenue recognition, accruals, and capital asset accounting. 
• Oversees year-end financial close processes, reviews and approves accounting transactions, and responds to audit inquiries. 
• Develops andmaintains the organizational chart of accounts, including modifications and segment management. 
• Oversees compliance with internal billing, chargeback best practices, and sponsored award recharge guidelines. 
• Performs rate analysis, develops new service rates/pricing, and evaluates recharge-related assets. 
• Conducts financial analysis and reporting, such as historical analysis,spend reports, incremental cost analysis, and personnel metrics.
• Supports the evaluation of new service offerings, initiates improvements, and standardizes best practices across all entities. 
• Acts as a key liaison to the CFO’s Office, Budget Office, Financial Services, and internal/external customers; provides requested financial data and analysis.
• Oversees departmental administration and strategic planning, leads staff development and recruitment, and manages role-based system access. 
• Solicits and implements feedback from customers to enhance financial services and operational efficiency. 
• Identifies,standardizes and implements process and workflow improvements across the VP Operations portfolio. 
• Completesother financial analyses and otherduties as assigned by senior leadership. 
• Manages financialstaff, usually other managers. 
• Establishes performance goals,allocatesresources and assesses policies for the related departments managed. 
• Oversees functional business plans and contributes to the development of financial goals, strategies, plans, and policies for the unit. 
• Ensures the management of operating and capital budgets, information and accounting systems, revenue billing and collection, and the monitoring of expenditures on active accounts. 
• Establishes budgets for all areas withinscope of responsibility. May direct quarterly and year-end reporting for the operating budget. 
• Performs other related work as needed. 

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Work Experience:

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications 

Education: 

• Master’s degree or higher. 

Experience:  

• 15+years work experience ina finance and accounting capacity. 
• 10+years direct management experience. 
• Background in higher education in one or more of the following: human resources, information technology, law enforcement, or facilities management. 
• Understanding of recharge administration and sponsored award compliance practices. 

Certifications:  

• One or more professional certifications, active and in good standing, including but not limited to, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). 

Preferred Competencies

• Financial Analysis and Forecasting - develop budgets, conduct complex financial analysis, and interpret variances. 
• Capital and Asset Management - understanding of capital budgeting, asset tracking, and depreciation. 
• Recharge Administration - proficient in recharge rate analysis, sponsored award compliance, and internal billing best practices. 
• Strategic Planning -align financial strategies with organization-wide goals andsupport decision-making. 
• Staff Development -track record of recruiting, mentoring, and developing high-functioning teams. 
• Change Management - implement new processes, policies, and system improvements. 
• Accountability and Decision-Making -strong sense of ownership andwilling to make evidence-based recommendations. 
• Stakeholder Engagement - collaborate with senior leadership, cross-functional teams, and external partners. 
• Written and VerbalCommunication: - capable of clearly presenting financial information to both technical and non-technical audiences. 
• Project Management - capable of managing multiple projects, deadlines, and competing priorities, while implementing best practices and workflow improvements. 

Working Conditions 

• Sit forshort or extendedperiod of time. 
• Extensively use computer. 
• Make repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movements. 

Application Documents 

• Resume/CV (required)   

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s)MUST be uploaded via theMy Experience page, in the section titledApplication Documents of the application.

Job Family

Role Impact

Scheduled Weekly Hours

Drug Test Required

Health Screen Required

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

Pay Rate Type

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FLSA Status

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Pay Range

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in theBenefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employerand does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see theUniversity's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call773-702-5800 or submit a request viaApplicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.