Assistant Director of Finance

Company Description

The University of Notre Dame, founded in 1842 in Notre Dame, Indiana, is a premier American research university. As a Catholic institution, it uniquely blends faith with intellectual inquiry, striving for excellence in teaching, research, and serving the common good. Notre Dame offers a dynamic and rewarding environment for its diverse community of students, faculty, and staff, who are all dedicated to fostering an inclusive campus and being a force for good in the world. With world-class facilities, acclaimed academic programs, and a strong commitment to innovation and ethical leadership, Notre Dame is an ideal place to make a meaningful impact.

Job Description

The College of Arts & Letters seeks a strategic and collaborative financial professional to serve as Assistant Director of Finance. As the University's largest college, Arts & Letters supports a dynamic academic community of 19 departments, along with numerous centers, institutes, and academic programs. This role is central to advancing the College's financial operations, planning, and long-term strategy in a complex, mission-driven environment.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, the Assistant Director of Finance manages the College's overall budget and financial model and plays a key role in annual budget development, forecasting, reporting, and operational analysis. The position also serves as a trusted financial resource for faculty, staff, and department leadership, ensuring financial processes and university deliverables are completed accurately, efficiently, and on time.

With oversight of more than 2,500 funds across the College, the successful candidate will bring strong analytical and organizational skills, sound judgment, and a commitment to excellent service. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex problems, improving processes, and partnering with colleagues to support the College's academic mission.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Management & Planning

• Maximize the utility of budgeting and forecasting tools to support institutional goals and improve the experience for college administrators
• Define and manage the College's annual financial calendar, establishing proactive internal deadlines that ensure timely and accurate deliverables
• Serve as a strategic business partner to departments and units by providing expert financial analysis and guidance
• Mentor Dean's Office staff to promote consistency, accountability, and financial best practices across the College
• Establish and maintain internal financial processes and procedures for use throughout the College
• Serve as a financial subject matter expert and independently resolve ad hoc financial issues and challenges

Operational Budget Management & Reporting

• Coordinate the College's annual budget and quarterly forecast processes, including faculty, staff, pooled labor, and non-labor commitments
• Monitor year-to-date financial performance for unrestricted and restricted funds
• Project year-end budget surpluses and deficits utilizing spending plan information
• Support the Dean and Executive Director through long-term financial modeling and analysis
• Improve financial reporting processes and track recurring and one-time commitments to maintain financial stability
• Advance reporting capabilities to provide clear financial overviews for centers, institutes, and academic programs

Other Projects & Strategic Initiatives

• Assist the Executive Director of Finance and Administration with special projects and strategic initiatives
• Support continuous improvement efforts that enhance operational efficiency and service delivery across the College

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in financial management, budgeting, accounting, or related areas.
• Experience preparing financial reports, operating budgets, and expendable resource analyses.
• Experience managing and reviewing contracts and financial agreements.
• Strong proficiency in Google Workspace applications and Microsoft Excel.
• Demonstrated experience with forecasting, financial modeling, and scenario planning.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong collaborative, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.

Preferred

• Experience working in higher education or similarly complex organizational environments.
• Proven ability to build relationships and manage stakeholders across a broad range of constituencies.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences, including through reporting and data visualization tools.
• Demonstrated success improving operational processes and workplace efficiencies.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to quickly learn and master Notre Dame's general ledger and financial reporting systems.

Additional Information

RESUME & COVER LETTER ARE REQUIRED to be considered for this position. Please add in the attachments section of your application.

Pay range: Up to $90,000, commensurate with experience

Please submit your application by Sunday, June 21.

Benefits page:

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.