Director of Finance and Administration

Director of Finance and Administration

Heralded as a hub of undergraduate innovation, the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE) creates and sustains meaningful interactions between students and faculty both within and outside the classroom. As a collaborative team member of VPUE, you have a unique opportunity to advance and support programs that touch and enhance the lives of every undergraduate student at Stanford.

The Program in Writing and Rhetoric (PWR) is a unit in the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education that manages required and elective academic programs as well as tutoring across the undergraduate community: The Writing and Rhetoric Requirement (PWR1 and PWR2), the Hume Center for Writing and Speaking, the Oral Communication Program, the Stanford Storytelling Project, Bing Honors College, Writing in the Major, and the Notations in Science Communication and Cultural Rhetoric.

The Program in Writing and Rhetoric is seeking a dynamic leader and business expert to work in a collaborative higher education environment as the Director of Finance and Administration (DFA). Reporting to the Associate Vice Provost and Director of PWR, the DFA will provide overall management oversight and direction for the operations, administration, and finances within the unit, while also supporting lecturers and playing a 'hands-on' role in support of the team, including administrative oversight for the Hume Center for Writing and Speaking. As a vital member of the PWR senior staff team, the DFA will play a crucial role in areas such as making recommendations to leadership for changes in staffing, facilities, health and safety compliance, finance, technology and/or administrative functions. This position is integral to designing and implementing effective operational and financial strategies aimed at achieving PWR's goals of supporting and enriching the culture of writing at Stanford. The DFA will directly and indirectly supervise a team of five administrative staff, focusing on key functions related to administration, business operations, and course support, while also overseeing the hiring and payroll of academic staff and student employees. Additionally, the DFA will manage an annual operating budget of approximately $9M, ensuring financial sustainability and support for PWR's initiatives.

In this role, you will:

• Oversee finances across all sources for the annual budget cycle, including developing, monitoring, analyzing, forecasting, and regular reporting of a complex budget, with systems of financial controls that meet Stanford and VPUE standards. You will work closely with and support financial planning and spending across teams in PWR, including meeting regularly with the staff who lead those areas. In addition, you will collaborate with the PWR director on holistic budget planning.
• Lead day-to-day PWR administrative functions, including oversight and active involvement in business team operations, developing approaches to administrative infrastructure, directly supervising staff, and meeting the needs of the PWR lecturers and staff.
• Manage administrative and financial staff, including hiring, retention, career coaching, professional development, and performance management of two direct reports. A willingness to learn new systems is an important aspect of this position.
• Oversee HR and Academic Affairs functions, including interpreting policies and ensuring compliance with university policies, particularly as these policies relate to Human Resources and undergraduate student compensation. You will provide guidance to program directors on changes in policy and their potential impact and consider creative ways to accomplish our academic goals while remaining in compliance. You will oversee the compensation processes related to annual salary setting and the approval process and supplement payment for faculty and TAs who are affiliates in our PWR awards. You will also oversee the student employment and payment process. In years when PWR searches for academic lecturers, you will play a significant role in managing the search process from placing the initial announcement to hiring and onboarding.
• Plan for future changes in PWR program needs, particularly as they relate to finances and administration, staffing and facilities, workplace safety and wellness, compliance with policies, and technologies. Planning may involve analysis and creation of annual and multi-year plans, creative thinking about alternative methods for achieving goals, and advising the PWR leadership group on ways to improve processes, ways of working, and collaborations.
• Represent PWR and collaborate with peers in meetings of directors of Finance and Administration from multiple units in VPUE, as well as liaise with directors of HR, Finance, and IT to guide PWR in interpreting and implementing policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Represent PWR's finance and administrative operations in other settings within VPUE and the university, including facilities, technology, finance, and HR.
• Project Management to oversee and execute a variety of initiatives, including marketing campaigns, coordinating tabling events, and administering award programs. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational skills and be adept at collaborating with diverse teams to ensure successful event execution and project completion. Responsibilities will also include basic website editing to enhance our online presence and to maintain accurate information related to PWR financial processes for lecturers.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience in administrative and financial management, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated financial expertise and experience in accounting, budget planning, and financial forecasting.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills, including staff management, development, mentorship, and conflict resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to manage administrative, technical, financial, and operational needs of an organization with multiple teams, programs, services, and/or client profiles.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills across modalities, interpersonally and in writing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong expertise in business and management computer applications and databases.
• Ability to manage time to achieve multiple overlapping and distinct tasks while meeting short- and long-term deadlines.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proactive approach to communication and to continuous improvement of individual and unit processes and products.
• Physical requirements/working conditions*: Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks; frequently sitting; occasionally stand/walk, writing by hand, use a telephone, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 11-20 pounds; rarely sort/file paperwork or parts, rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat. Occasional evening and weekend hours.

In addition, preferred qualifications include:

• Knowledge of higher education financial systems, administration, procurement processes, regulatory requirements, and policies.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

About the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE)

For undergraduates, VPUE is the nexus for programs and initiatives that help students define and achieve their intellectual ambitions and develop a sense of civic purpose at Stanford. These include investigative introductory courses taught by esteemed faculty, targeted classes in writing and rhetoric, undergraduate research support, academic advising and mentoring, overseas and off-campus study programs, evidence-based and inclusive learning and teaching practices, and opportunities to pursue public service campus-wide. For faculty, VPUE serves as a principal conduit for furthering interaction with undergraduates and discovering ways in which working with students can enrich one's research agenda. VPUE collaborates with faculty, staff and students to provide the world-class experiences for which Stanford is known. All VPUE resources are dedicated to involving faculty with the undergraduate experience, connecting students with transformative opportunities and fully realizing a liberal education at Stanford.

The mission of the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE) is to partner with Stanford faculty, staff, and students to produce and educate knowledgeable, engaged citizens and creative, confident leaders for our future world.

Why Stanford is for You

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven individuals to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

• Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or course auditing opportunities. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
• A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
• A healthier you. Climb our rock wall or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
• Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!

*-Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national