Director of Finance

Position Summary

The incumbent will be responsible for overseeing and monitoring the financial operations of budgeting, expense tracking, and financial reporting through strategic financial analysis that informs and maintains the financial health of the Office of Alumni & Development.  The Director will develop strategic plans, funding strategies, and budget projections to strive for the sustainability of the business models.  They will work closely with the Finance Team and assume a major role in decision-making and policy formulation for OAD.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Manage the budget process and ensure the compliance with the University requirements. Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to the central budget office.  Provide regular comprehensive reports and analysis of budget to the Deputy Vice President and Senior Management.
• Work closely with the DVP to establish financial strategies for OAD.  Analyze trends, outcomes, and patterns; provide solution oriented plans, and advise the DVP and Executive Team on the efficacy of the financial planning results.
• Partner with Contract Management and the Account Payable team within the finance department to identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and formulate financial policies. Ensure overall compliance with the department and University financial policies.
• Work closely with the DVP to identify, test, implement and benchmark measures that increase efficiency and service quality to drive continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Manage and supervise the Finance Reporting Team.
• Other projects & duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required with at least 5 - 7 years of related work experience in an academic environment or related complex organization. 5 years of experience in presenting information to senior staff. The candidate should have strong analytical capabilities, be detail oriented, have superior organizational skills, and be able to manage and prioritize a variety of complex projects at once.  Robust computer skills and strong competency in Microsoft Office products are absolutely necessary. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, expertise with Excel spreadsheets, and strong proofreading skills are necessary. 

Preferred Qualifications

Advance degree desirable.  At least 4 years in a management role preferred. 5 years of experience with BI tools preferred. Demonstrated ability to appropriately handle confidential matters and sensitive data is a must.

Experience with Columbia University accounting, purchasing, and reporting systems is a strong plus. 

Other Requirements

The applicant should be poised, mature, professional, and able to work with a variety of personalities at all levels of the organization.    The candidate should have strong analytical capabilities, be detail oriented, have superior organizational skills, and be able to manage and prioritize a variety of complex projects at once.  Should be resourceful, proactive, thorough, and have a focused, self-starting attitude with the ability to work both independently and as a member of the team. 

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.