Head of Finance (Remote)

Finance Manager
The Oden Institute is an organized research unit that fosters interdisciplinary programs in computational sciences and engineering, computational medicine, computational geosciences, mathematical modeling, applied mathematics, data science, artificial intelligence, software engineering, and computational visualization.
The University of Texas at Austin is a nationally ranked, tier-one research institution and one of the largest employers in central Texas. Committed to recruiting and retaining a varied and talented workforce, the university offers competitive salaries and benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education and public service.
100% employer-paid basic medical coverage

• Retirement contributions
• Paid holidays

Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered
The Finance Manager oversees the day-to-day financial operations of the Oden Institute, including budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, compliance, procurement, travel, reimbursements, and financial analysis. This position partners closely with Institute leadership to provide accurate financial reports, budget projections, and analysis that support informed decision-making and effective resource management. The Finance Manager ensures responsible stewardship of Institute resources and compliance of financial transactions across university, sponsored, endowment, gift, and other funding sources. As a trusted resource to Institute leadership and staff, this position provides expert guidance, exceptional customer service, effective training, and operational support while fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and organizational excellence.
Supervision

Supervise finance staff and establish clear expectations for performance, service quality, and accountability.
Provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities to strengthen team expertise and service delivery.
Develop, document, streamline and maintain financial procedures, training materials, and operational guidance to promote consistency and excellence across the finance function.
Serve as the Institute's subject matter expert on university financial policies, procedures, and best practices related to travel, entertainment reimbursements, procurement, purchasing, and related transactions.
Serve as a trusted financial resource for staff and Institute leadership; deliver responsive, solutions-oriented guidance that balances operational needs, compliance requirements, and sound financial practices.
Build productive partnerships with central campus offices, the Research Administration team, and university stakeholders to resolve financial and operational issues and advance institute priorities.
Provide guidance and training to staff and administrators on travel, procurement, reimbursement, and financial processes; identify opportunities to improve business processes and enhance customer service across the Institute.
Hands-On Financial Processes

Manage the Institute's day-to-day financial operations and business processes, including preparation, monitoring, and reconciliation of operating, personnel, and research-related budgets.
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, analyses, and projections for Institute leadership; Develop and maintain real-time tracking systems to monitor endowment, gift, discretionary, and other Institute funds balances, distributions, and investment performance.
Support leadership with financial modeling and scenario planning; Identify budget variances, financial risks, and funding issues and recommend appropriate solutions; provide recommendations regarding resource utilization and financial planning.
Auditing and Approvals

Review and approve financial transactions — including procurement, travel, entertainment, and reimbursements — to ensure accuracy, appropriateness, and compliance with university policies, sponsor requirements, and applicable regulations.
Monitor financial activity and identify potential compliance issues, risks, and corrective actions; Coordinate audit responses and provide supporting documentation for financial reviews; collaborate with the Research Administration team to ensure sponsored project expenditures comply with university and sponsor requirements.
Maintain high-level oversight of all financial processes and operations, ensuring quality, timeliness, and alignment with Institute goals and university standards.
Identify and lead process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and improve the overall experience for faculty, staff, and Institute stakeholders.
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Management, or Business Administration.
At least six years of progressively responsible experience in financial administration, budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, or related areas.
Experience preparing financial reports, budgets, forecasts, projections, and related analyses for leadership decision-making.
Experience interpreting and applying financial policies, procedures, internal controls, and compliance requirements.
At least four years of supervisory experience, including staff training, coaching, and performance management.
Strong customer service skills and the ability to build collaborative relationships with staff, leadership, and university partners.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, effective training, and organizational excellence.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience using financial management systems.
Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
Experience in higher education, research administration, government, or nonprofit financial operations.
Experience with university fund accounting, restricted funds, endowments, gifts, and sponsored project compliance.
Familiarity with UT Austin financial systems and processes, such as Workday, DEFINE, FRMS, or related university tools.
Experience developing dashboards, management reports, financial procedures, and training resources.
Knowledge of higher education budgeting, financial management, reporting, and compliance practices.
Ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate clearly to financial and non-financial audiences.
Ability to translate financial data into practical guidance, options, and recommendations for leadership.
Collaborative, service-oriented approach with a focus on solutions, partnership, and continuous improvement.
Standard office environment.
Occasional extended hours may be required during budget development, fiscal year-end close, audit periods, or high-volume processing cycles.
Fully in person during introductory period, with consideration for up to two days remote after fully trained.
Required Materials

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