Executive Director of Financial Operations

Executive Director of Financial Operations

Columbia Engineering is committed to pushing the frontiers of knowledge and translating our discoveries to meet the needs of society. These aspirations have been fundamental since our early origins. Over the years, our faculty and students have made remarkable contributions to technological and social progress, and today, we carry on our tradition of innovation as engineering transforms nearly every aspect of life, from the purity of the water we drink, the quality and accessibility of our healthcare, and the sustainability of the natural and built environments, to our ability to connect with others anywhere in the world.

Reporting to the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, the Executive Director of Financial Operations assumes a leadership role in the financial, operational decision-making, and policy formation of the Engineering School. This position assist with preparing and monitoring the Engineering School's annual operating and capital budget in the context of a multi-year financial framework; provides oversight of the Engineering School's procurement, accounts payable, and cash management functions; delivers quarterly and ad hoc financial reporting to senior leadership; and manages a team of five staff within the Engineering School Business Office. The incumbent works closely with University Finance and other central offices, ensuring strong fiscal stewardship and compliance with institutional policies.

Responsibilities

• Oversight of Financial Operations and Controls 25%: Ensure the integrity of financial data through oversight of reconciliation processes and internal controls. Ensure propriety of balances by confirming that all assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses are accurately recorded and disclosed in conformity with University policies. Oversee accruals and deferrals, ensuring significant purchases, services, prepaid expenses, and deferred revenues are properly recorded. Oversee and review reconciliation of all accounts, including cash, bank, receivables, inventories, prepaid assets, accrued expenses, deferred income, and deposits. Ensure compliance with University financial, regulatory, and tax policies; consult with Controller's Office when issues arise. Ensure compliance with University payroll, property, equipment, and service center policies, including timely reporting of asset disposals, transfers, and damage claims. Oversee compliance with cash handling, credit card acceptance, bank account, and treasury policies, ensuring proper internal controls. Establish and monitor fraud prevention and detection controls, ensuring all allegations of fraud or suspected violations are reported to the Controller's Office or General Counsel.
• Procurement and Accounts Payable 25%: Oversee all Engineering School procurement and accounts payable processes, ensuring compliance with University policies and regulatory standards. Establish and maintain controls for purchasing, contracts, and disbursements to support operational efficiency and fiscal integrity. Partner with University Procurement to negotiate agreements and ensure adherence to competitive bidding. Implement process improvements and technologies to streamline purchasing, payments, and vendor management. Oversee accounts payable functions, including approval of all invoices, travel and business reimbursements via Concur, internal transfers, purchase requisitions, Pcard transactions, and cash deposits. Provide indirect oversight of departmental and center procurement and accounts payable operations. Work with department and center leadership during transitional periods to provide support and ensure operational continuity.
• Payroll Operations and Accounting 20%: Oversee all Engineering School procurement, payroll, and accounting transactions, including salary allocations and salary distributions. Ensure the appropriate accounting and reconciliation of payroll transactions in accordance with various agreements, cost shares and against the budget. Ensure timely clearance of suspense accounts and material transactions
• Budget Development and Monitoring 15%: Collaborate with the CFO and the Director of Budget, the incumbent assists with the preparation of SEAS annual budget submission and participates in the development and analysis of financial reports and materials. Monitor department performance to budget and works with department administrators to bring performance into budget compliance and to ensure compliance with University and School accounting guidelines. Provide revised budgets in school and University systems. Lead the quarterly and fiscal year closeout process with the finance team, academic departments, Dean's office units, and centers. Ensure that all relevant financial activity is recorded timely and in accordance with University policies and monitoring
• Training 10%: Develop / Enhance training for new and existing SEAS staff on procurement, accounts payable, chartstring guidance & and financial management matters. Develop and maintain best practices, and disseminate guidance to department staff, and other support materials for use by faculty and staff. Serve as a liaison in the Dean's Office with the nine Columbia Engineering departments, Centers and Institutes, and Dean's Office Units.
• Performs other related duties assigned 5%.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required preferably in business, finance, accounting, or a related field. An advanced degree is preferred. Minimum of seven (7) years of related experience in accounting, budgeting and/or fiscal analysis experience required.

Excellent analytical, presentation, oral, and written communication skills are required. The ability to take initiative and work independently is necessary. Must possess exceptional organizational skills and be extremely detail-oriented. Ability to manage multiple priorities with poise and discretion in a fast-paced environment is required.

Must possess strong analytical skills, critical thinking, and practical problem-solving abilities. Must possess advanced Excel (pivot tables, Look-up functions, formulas etc.) and financial modeling skills including pivot tables. Knowledge of SQL coding, or other advanced analytical tools / visualization tools preferred (Tableau, Python etc).

Knowledge of Columbia University Financial Systems preferred but not required.

Preference for broad exposure to administrative functions within a University setting and/or experience with manipulating financial and other data.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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