Description

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• The Director of Business Operations is a key business and strategic advisor for Advancement and Alumni Relations (AAE).
• As a member of the division's finance team, plans, administers, and monitors financial and operational policies and participates in the strategic planning process.
• Works closely with senior leaders to establish short and long-term financial goals and implements fiscal policies to support the financial viability of the organization. Oversees the preparation of operations budgets and monitors compliance.
• May represent the organization in external financial or business activities.
• Develops and prepares operational and statistical reports.
• Provides leadership for and participates in annual and multi-year financial planning, trending, and budgeting activities for the school or unit.
• Maintains accurate and timely financial reporting, ensuring acceptable levels of internal controls, and ensures compliance, while safeguarding the financial assets of the school/unit.
• Reviews and approves financial transactions on behalf of the division.
• Ensures the integrity and accuracy of financial information and reporting for assigned area(s) of responsibility.
• Prepares and oversees initiatives and various ad hoc analyses that contribute to the division's strategic plans.
• Monitors performance and prepares month-end management reports to clearly articulate monthly budget variances and provide actionable recommendations to manage risks and opportunities.
• Communicates and distributes information to key stakeholders as requested.
• Models various financial scenarios and provides thoughtful recommendations to senior leaders.
• Develops strong working relationships with the University's management and the division's internal and external partners.
• Prepares special reports, statements, or other documents, as requested.
• Hires, trains, supervises, assesses, and develops staff, and ensures that they remain current with accounting and other financial best practices.
• Identifies opportunities to improve processes, efficiencies, and effectiveness, including opportunities to leverage University systems and other new technologies and solutions. Assists with the rollout of new system initiatives.
• Performs other duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business management or a related field, and five years of professional experience in accounting, finance, project management or planning.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and use.
• A working knowledge of financial information systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Additional Details

Preferred Qualifications/Skills:

• Advanced knowledge and use of the PeopleSoft financial system (including general ledger, accounts payable, queries, reporting, and travel/expense) or use of a similar enterprise-level financial system
• Experience in the use of Oracle Business Intelligence (OBIEE)/Emory Business Intelligence (EBI) for reporting
• Demonstrated Microsoft Excel skills using complex formulas, lookups, named variables/ranges, and creation of complex pivot tables
• Basic understanding of relational database concepts
• Self-motivated with a desire to work in a cohesive team environment
• Effective organizational and communication skills with the ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects and changing priorities

Additional Job Details:

The Advancement finance team supports all division departments by providing non-gift financial services including business operations, disbursements, budget support and administration, and reporting.

Reporting to the director of business and finance, specific responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Providing supervision and development of 1 team member;
• Preparing budgets, budget modifications, financial reports, and projections;
• Collaborating with departments on their operating budgets, including detailed allocations and projections;
• Monitoring and reporting of departmental operating budget to actuals;
• Managing salary budget administration and reporting, including the maintenance of approved division positions, approval of salary budget requests for vacant positions, and preparation of the monthly report of turnover savings funds;
• Initiating financial transactions (journal entries and retroactive salary transfers) as needed to correct expenditures and balances;
• Collaborating with division departments and central offices/schools/units in researching and resolving accounting matters;

The finance team manages approved positions, salary budgets and approvals, and other budget functions using the Salesforce platform. The individual in this role will be expected to learn skills that will allow them to participate in administering the team’s Salesforce implementation.