Director of Administration - Finance & Operations DSS - UTK

Job Description

Reporting to the Assistant Vice Provost and Chief Financial Officer, The Director of Administration will be responsible for the fiscal and budgetary management of the Division of Student Success's activities and initiatives; financial planning and analysis for the Division's operating budget including income from student fees, restricted, gift and capital budgets. This position is responsible for oversight of all fiscal and administrative transactions and for strategic planning to ensure that contracts, payroll, memorandums of understanding and similar agreements are initiated and processed in a timely manner. This position will collaborate with their colleagues in DSS leadership, central administration and colleges and units to achieve positive outcomes providing guidance (to DSS directors) as necessary, and will represent the Division in financial, human resources and administrative matters in campus settings. This position will lead a staff of two assistant directors and seven coordinators. Until the Director of Facilities is recruited, this position will continue to assist with space and facility issues.

Responsibilities

Fiscal Administration and Operations

• In collaboration with the AVP/CFO, develop strategic plans for spending and budget growth.
• Oversees the day-to-day fiscal and administrative operations for the Division.
• Oversees the annual budget process and year-end close process.
• Oversees the operating funds, restricted funds, and gift funds for the Division.
• Oversees the Division's human resources activities including faculty appointments, staff appointments and student appointments.
• Works with the AVP/CFO to standardize and modernize financial and operational reporting.
• Oversees and participates in monthly meetings with divisional directors to discuss ledger and fiscal reports and questions.

Human Resources Management

• Oversees the appointment and operational onboarding of all faculty, staff, and students in the Division.
• Ensures reappointments and calculations are accurate and timely.
• Collaborates with staff and provides guidance related to searches, onboarding, and search committee responsibilities.
• Ensures proper record keeping and related purging of documents.
• Develops and maintains divisional guidance for search committees and collaborates with departments to ensure adherence.
• Develops relevant reporting for divisional recruitments.

Administrative Services Management

• Oversees the work of the administrative shared services unit and provides services to the department that include calendaring, purchasing, travel support, event support, student employee supervision and other similar services.

Staff Management and Development

• Recruits, retains, professionally develops, and evaluates qualified talent reporting to this position, and if necessary, takes action up to and including termination.
• Accomplish work through the Assistant Director of Fiscal Affairs and Assistant Director of Operations and their staff.

Inventory and Asset Management

• Safeguards the Division's assets by researching and selecting the best software product for the division and ensuring that the assets are properly recorded and maintained, making additions and deletions as necessary.
• Oversees the completion of annual certifications of assets and inventory as required by central administration.
• Determines items suitable to be sent to Surplus and which items can be reassigned to divisional departments.
• Serves as the Inventory/Asset Manager for the Division until and will cross-train a direct report to assume this function.
• Develops reporting as necessary.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Until the Facilities Director is recruited, in collaboration with the AVP/CFO, manage facility and space requests.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education:
  
  
  • Bachelor's Degree
    
    • Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or related field
• Experience:
  
  • A Bachelor's degree in Business, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration or related field and at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience with duties supporting fiscal operations and/or administration in a multi-department, complex organization; or a Master's degree in Business, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration or related field and 6 years of progressively responsible experience with duties supporting fiscal operations and/or administration in a multi-department, complex organization.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  
  
  • Knowledge of complex fiscal operations, procedures, and regulations
  • Knowledge of faculty and/or staff hiring procedures
  • Knowledge of business practices and procedures
  • Skill to foster a cooperative work environment
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to effectively work with a wide range of
    
    
    constituencies in a diverse community
  • Ability to develop and prepare comprehensive analyses

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education:
  
  • Master's Degree
    
    • Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or related field
• Experience:
  
  • At least 8 years of experience in business management or higher education administration in a public institution where work involved interactions with staff, faculty, students and progressively responsible fiscal management and reporting. Excellent communication and collaboration skills. Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  
  • Knowledge of public university business practices, procedures, and fund accounting
  • Microsoft Office, especially Excel
  • Effective collaboration skills

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR13
• Anticipated hiring range: Minimum $87,500
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About Us

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.


UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.


The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.


UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.


The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.


Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!