Director of Finance

Department Summary

As the premiere public arts school in the nation, the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture (UCLA Arts) plays a vital role in the cultural and artistic life of the campus and the broader community. Guiding our mission is the belief that the arts are not only an essential part of the cognitive, critical, inquisitive life of a public research university, but the practice and presence of the arts are a cornerstone of the creative, innovative thinking and collaborative approaches that the 21st century demands.One of 12 prestigious professional schools at the University, the School of the Arts and Architecture offers leading programs in four degree-granting departments: Architecture and Urban Design, Art, Design Media Arts, and World Arts and Cultures/Dance. Our commitment to innovative education, pioneering research, dynamic public service, and community engagement is fueled by our unwavering belief in the fundamental value of creativity and the artist’s unique ability to change the world and shape the future.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Operating and Financial Officer, Associate Dean for Administration and Finance (COO/CFO), the Director of Finance leads the financial administration and Business Office operations of the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture. The School comprises four academic departments, three public arts units, eight faculty research centers, and the Dean's Office, with an annual budget of approximately $68 million supported by state funds, contracts and grants, sales and service activities, gifts, endowments, and other restricted and unrestricted resources. The Director translates the COO/CFO's financial strategy and resource-allocation priorities into effective budgets, forecasts, controls, reporting, systems, and business services. The incumbent leads the annual budget and multi-year forecasting processes; oversees financial performance, permanent-budget and staffing controls, fund management, fiscal close, reconciliations, audit support, and finance-system implementation; and provides analyses and recommendations to support School leadership decisions. The Director manages the Business Office and supervises the teams responsible for budget and purchasing, together with other assigned finance and administrative staff. The incumbent establishes service standards, operating procedures, internal controls, workload priorities, and staff-development expectations for these functions; coordinates financial practices across the School; and ensures that transactions and commitments comply with University policy and applicable donor, sponsor, and fund restrictions. Material resource-allocation decisions, structural commitments, policy exceptions, and significant financial risks are escalated to the COO/CFO.

Salary & Compensation

• UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading budget planning, forecasting, financial analysis, and financial control for a complex, multi-fund organization. (Required)
• Advanced knowledge of fund accounting, internal controls, financial reporting, restricted funds, sponsored activity, purchasing, and audit support. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to manage a Business Office and lead budget and purchasing teams, including setting priorities, service standards, controls, and performance expectations. (Required)
• Demonstrated supervisory experience, including staff development, workload management, performance evaluation, change leadership, and creation of effective and efficient support systems. (Required)
• Skill in analyzing complex information, identifying patterns and risks, developing alternatives, and presenting objective conclusions and actionable recommendations to senior leaders. (Required)
• Financial modeling and forecasting skills sufficient to evaluate current-year costs, multi-year commitments, structural balance, revenue trends, and alternative resource-allocation scenarios. (Required)
• Advanced proficiency with spreadsheet, database, reporting, and financial-management systems; ability to design reliable models, dashboards, controls, and repeatable processes. (Required)
• Ability to interpret and apply complex University policies and external requirements and to establish practical procedures that support compliance and effective service delivery. (Required)
• Excellent written, verbal, consultation, and interpersonal skills to work effectively and tactfully with administrators, faculty, staff, students, vendors, and campus partners. (Required)
• Ability to exercise a high degree of independent judgment, initiative, discretion, and confidentiality while managing competing priorities and time-sensitive work. (Required)
• Experience in higher education and knowledge of contracts and grants, gifts and endowments, sales and service funds, permanent budgets, and staffing reconciliation. (Preferred)
• Working knowledge of UCLA or University of California financial, budget, payroll, procurement, grants, and reporting policies and systems, including ASCEND, UCPath, and successor tools. (Preferred)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

• Bachelor's Degree in related area and / or equivalent combination of education and experience / training (Required)
• Master's Degree In finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or a related field; and/or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience/training (Preferred)

Special Conditions for Employment

• Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
• Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.
• CANRA: The position is designated as a mandatory reporter under CANRA. The employee must sign the "Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse".
• Clery Act: The position is a designated CSA (Campus Security Authority) under Clery Act requirements.

Schedule

8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Union/Policy Covered

99-Policy Covered

Complete Position Description