Assistant Director of Academic Budget & Financial Operations

Wellesley College; Framingham (MA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Excellent benefits package

Free campus parking

MBTA access

Paid time off

Retirement savings plan

Hybrid work environment

Tuition benefits

Campus privileges

Job summary

Wellesley College is seeking an Assistant Director of Academic Budget and Financial Operations to manage the college’s $124M academic division budget and advise the Provost and Deans with timely information and analysis to inform decisions.

The role develops budgets, oversees Provost’s Office funds, collaborates with chairs and administrators, tracks gift funds (over 200 accounts), and ensures optimal use of resources to advance the college’s academic priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in a role working directly with budgets and financial data. Accounting or finance background in a higher education environment with restricted gift funding strongly preferred.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer’s sponsorship now or in the future.

Responsibilities

• (50%) Informs and supports the work of the Provost’s Office on all budgetary and financial matters. Conducts financial and data analysis to inform data-driven recommendations driving policy and programming decisions. Assists academic cost center managers with budget questions via a portfolio-based model and advises on college and Provost’s Office policies, procedures, and deadlines. Supports faculty through service on internal faculty award committees and training of new department chairs on the budgeting processes.
• (25%) Collaborates with the Office of Finance and Administration in budget development and year end close processes. Submits the Provost’s Office budget and capital requests, and represents the academic division during the capital budget process as a member of the Capital Budget Committee.
• (10%) Budgets and oversees use of all endowments and gifts under the control of the Provost’s Office to advance the academic priorities of the College; acts as primary contact for new gifts in Provost’s area. Tracks gift and endowment balances across the academic division, and reviews with Provost and Deans gifts and endowments with accumulated balances. Develops proposals for use of new gifts upon request from the Development Office, consulting on areas of need for fundraising goals.
• (5%) Manages the annual administrative salary increase and bonus processes for the academic division administrative staff members.
• (5%) Supervises and mentors Academic Budget and Financial Operations Analyst .
• (5%) Serves as back up in responding to individual tickets in the Provost Finance ticketing system as needed, supporting Academic Budget and Financial Operations Analyst.

Skills

Budget navigation

Problem solving

Excel

Workday

Interpersonal skills

Collaborative work style

Transactional work

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Workday

Job description

The Assistant Director of Academic Budget and Financial Operations plays a critical role in managing the $124M budget of the college’s academic division and assisting and advising the Provost and Deans by providing information and analysis to facilitate decision-making. The Assistant Director is primarily responsible for budget development and oversight of all Provost’s Office funds and works closely and collaboratively with department chairs and administrators in doing the same. The Assistant Director also acts as a trusted and critical liaison between the Provost’s Office, academic departments and the Office of Finance and Administration. This position is also responsible, along with other members of the Provost’s Office team, for ensuring optimal and appropriate use of over 200 gift funds supporting the academic mission of the college.

Primary Position Responsibilities:

• (50%) Informs and supports the work of the Provost’s Office on all budgetary and financial matters. Conducts financial and data analysis to inform data-driven recommendations driving policy and programming decisions. Assists academic cost center managers with budget questions via a portfolio-based model and advises on college and Provost’s Office policies, procedures, and deadlines. Supports faculty through service on internal faculty award committees and training of new department chairs on the budgeting processes.

• (25%) Collaborates with the Office of Finance and Administration in budget development and year end close processes. Submits the Provost’s Office budget and capital requests, and represents the academic division during the capital budget process as a member of the Capital Budget Committee.

• (10%) Budgets and oversees use of all endowments and gifts under the control of the Provost’s Office to advance the academic priorities of the College; acts as primary contact for new gifts in Provost’s area. Tracks gift and endowment balances across the academic division, and reviews with Provost and Deans gifts and endowments with accumulated balances. Develops proposals for use of new gifts upon request from the Development Office, consulting on areas of need for fundraising goals.

• (5%) Manages the annual administrative salary increase and bonus processes for the academic division administrative staff members.

• (5%) Supervises and mentors Academic Budget and Financial Operations Analyst .

• (5%) Serves as back up in responding to individual tickets in the Provost Finance ticketing system as needed, supporting Academic Budget and Financial Operations Analyst.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Academic Budget and Financial Operations Analyst

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required

• Minimum of five years’ experience in a role working directly with budgets and financial data. Accounting or finance background in a higher education environment with restricted gift funding strongly preferred.

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer’s sponsorship now or in the future

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to navigate, communicate and develop complex budgets

• Ability to problem solve and develop new ideas and procedures

• Proficiency in Excel and ability to learn new software/systems

• Knowledge of Workday or other similar financial systems

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; collaborative working style

• Willingness to engage in transactional work

• Attention to detail

Flexibility & Schedule:

We value a collaborative hybrid environment. Our standard schedule includes three days on campus to connect with the team, with two days of remote work. *Please note: This hybrid schedule is subject to business needs. As this role involves essential in-person commitments, a degree of flexibility is required.

Salary:

The pay range for this role is $110,000.00 - $115,000.00

Company Description and Benefits:

Wellesley’s mission is to provide an excellent liberal arts education to women who will make a difference in the world. We advance our mission by working together as a community—faculty, students, staff, and alumnae.

Embark on a fulfilling career journey at Wellesley College, where we prioritize your well-being and professional growth. As a valued member of our team, you'll enjoy a comprehensive array of benefits and resources designed to enhance both your work-life balance and long-term success.

• Competitive Compensation: Experience competitive wages ensuring your dedication is recognized and rewarded.

• Exceptional Benefits Package: Access a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision and pre-tax saving benefits, life insurance, disability coverage, and more to safeguard your health and that of your loved ones.

• Commuting and Transportation: Enjoy the convenience of free parking on our picturesque campus, easily accessible from major roadways. We are also accessible via the MBTA commuter rail.

• Paid Time Off: Take advantage of paid vacations, personal days, sick time, and holidays to recharge and maintain a healthy work‑life harmony.

• Retirement Savings: Plan for the future with our retirement savings plan. Wellesley College contributes up to 10.5% towards your 403(b) plan for eligible employees

• Work/Life and Wellness: A hybrid work environment for select positions (additional details will be provided during the interview process), caregiving support through Wellthy, legal plan insurance, pet insurance discount and a variety of other resources including retirement planning, and access to cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

• Professional Development: Enhance your skills and explore growth opportunities through continuing training and pathways for growth within our supportive environment.

• Tuition and Education Benefits: Invest in your education with tuition benefits, and access resources to navigate student loan forgiveness, reinforcing our commitment to your ongoing learning.

• Campus Privileges: Enjoy free use of our state-of-the-art athletic and fitness facilities with onsite fitness classes, Library resources, and seize opportunities to attend diverse campus events that contribute to a vibrant community.