Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

The Executive Director of Finance and Budgeting is a senior management position in the McKelvey School of Engineering and provides leadership in financial planning, reporting and analysis, and administration of the school’s financial operations. The Executive Director leads fiscal strategy in accordance with the school’s vision and mission and supervises the school’s finance and accounting team. The Executive Director works closely with other leaders in McKelvey and with appropriate WashU offices and departments.

Job Description

Financial Planning, Analysis and Oversight                             

• Implement a school-wide budget planning and management system that reflects the school’s strategic priorities; supports the dean’s, faculty and unit managers’ decision making; and provides ongoing accountability for resource use at the school.

• Collaborating closely with the dean, produce the school’s annual budget and participate in the University budget planning and review process. Prepare senior leadership level analysis and presentations. Prepare multi-year projections.

• Manage preparation of reporting packages that include financial statements, comprehensive performance indicators, analysis of key trends, actual vs. budget variances and complete executive level explanations of differences.

• Generate proposals and analyses for the school’s graduate tuition and financial aid policies.

• Prepare comprehensive business cases to support financial decision-making, including detailed financial analysis, cost-benefit evaluations, risk assessment, and recommendations for strategic initiatives.

• Represent the School in financial reviews with the central administration. Interact with WashU leaders, providing insight and information to meet the reporting requirements and deadlines of the Central Finance areas.

• Collaborate with the dean, department chairs, program directors, and associate deans to produce annual and long-term operating and capital budget proposals.

• Actively participate in the school’s long-term strategic planning effort, producing analyses and proposals for changes in long-term resource use and development.

• Produce short run data on the school’s financial performance for the dean and key members of the senior management team. Produce long-run trend data on financial indicators for the school’s long-range plan. Produce public reports regarding the school’s performance for the U.S. News and World Reports, ASEE, ABET, and other external bodies.

Financial Management and Business Operations

• Recruit, manage, develop, and evaluate a high performing financial analysis and management team.

• Assure the quality and timeliness of accounting, payroll, reimbursements, use of university vendors, insurance, transfers, other financial transactions, and business office functions.

• Oversee development of the Renovation and Repair budget, ensuring that facilities expenditures are consistent with RR and operational budgets.

• Maintain an adequate system of internal controls throughout the school.

• Collaborate closely with departmental administrators to assure financial compliance for grants and contracts, information and reports for faculty and centers, and timely resolution of financial problems as they arise.

• Manage all tax reporting requirements and audits of the school. Ensure corrective action is taken on noted deficiencies, if any.

• Assure a professional, responsive, and customer-focused atmosphere in the business office.

Central Fiscal Unit Collaborations                                          

• Collaborate with members of the Central Fiscal Unit: Financial Services, University Advancement, Office of Sponsored Research Services, Sponsored Projects Accounting, and other offices as it relates to McKelvey’s budget.

• Participate as a member of university committees as assigned.

• Participate in various other subgroups involving university-wide budgeting, analysis, planning, reporting processes and tools

Other Functions

• Demonstrate strong strategic thinking skills by analyzing market trends, identifying growth opportunities, and developing long-term plans to achieve organizational goals.

• Participate actively in the dean’s senior management team, proactively identify issues for attention, and make recommendations for improved fiscal management.

• Build network of peers with directors and other business units around Washington University.

• Special projects and duties as assigned by the dean.

Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table

• Repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movement

Equipment

• Office equipment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Relevant Experience (10 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration

Certifications:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants 

Work Experience:

Higher Education Or Related (5 Years)

Skills:

Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, Business Partnerships, Data Management, Decision Making, Flexibility, Influencing Skills, Interpersonal Relationships, Leadership, Multitasking, Operational Excellence, Oral Communications, Organizing, Process Development (PD), Process Management, Quantitative Analytics, Relationship Building, Spreadsheets, Verbal Communications, Written Communication

Grade

G18

Salary Range

$129,800.00 - $228,400.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Washington University is dedicated to building a community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.