Assistant Director of Finance

University of Washington; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Washington Graduate School seeks an Assistant Director of Finance to oversee financial management, analysis, and compliance, reporting to the Director of Finance. This role provides fiscal oversight and strategic support for the Dean’s Office and staff, ensuring adherence to university policies and guidelines.

This UW Seattle-based position offers a hybrid schedule and opportunities to lead internal controls, budgeting, reporting, and process improvements across the unit.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Public Admin, or related field.
• 4–5 years of progressively responsible financial operations experience.
• Experience in university or public entity settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily financial operations aligned with goals.
• Review Workday transactions, track expenditures, and adjust as needed.
• Oversee Workday security roles and provide staff training.
• Develop internal controls for travel, purchasing, reimbursement, and transfers.
• Manage fiscal staff (0.65 FTE) and payroll backup.
• Advise on spending and resource use; ensure compliance.
• Lead Adaptive planning and annual budget submissions.
• Prepare financial reports and support strategic planning.
• Lead process improvements and staff training on policies.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Skills

Financial management

Budgeting

Analytical skills

Excel

Workday

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field

Tools

Workday

Adaptive

BI Portal

SAGE

Excel

Job description

Job Description

The Graduate School’s Finance, Fellowships, and Awards (FFA) has an outstanding opportunity for an Assistant Director of Finance to join their team.

About This Opportunity Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Assistant Director plays a key role in overseeing financial management, analysis, and compliance for the UW Graduate School. The Assistant Director provides fiscal oversight and strategic and tactical support for Dean’s Office leadership and school-wide staff, ensuring that the Graduate School operates in a financially responsible and operationally effective manner in compliance with University policies, procedures, and guidelines. The Assistant Director of Finance develops and implements best practices and procedures for operations, process improvement, financial policy, budget planning, reporting, forecasting, and analysis.

Job Description

The Graduate School’s Finance, Fellowships, and Awards (FFA) has an outstanding opportunity for an Assistant Director of Finance to join their team.

About This Opportunity Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Assistant Director plays a key role in overseeing financial management, analysis, and compliance for the UW Graduate School. The Assistant Director provides fiscal oversight and strategic and tactical support for Dean’s Office leadership and school-wide staff, ensuring that the Graduate School operates in a financially responsible and operationally effective manner in compliance with University policies, procedures, and guidelines. The Assistant Director of Finance develops and implements best practices and procedures for operations, process improvement, financial policy, budget planning, reporting, forecasting, and analysis.

This position is based at the University of Washington Seattle campus and is eligible for a hybrid schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Management and Operations: 40%
  • Manage the daily financial operations of the Graduate School, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and priorities
  • Review and approve financial transactions in Workday; track expenditures; monitor variances; recommend adjustments as necessary
  • Manage finance security roles and permissions for unit staff within Workday Finance and provide ongoing training and mentorship in system use
  • Develop, implement, and refine internal controls and procedures for travel, purchasing, reimbursement, internal billing, reconciliation, funding and expenditure transfers
  • Manage fiscal staff (0.65 FTE), fostering a collaborative and effective work environment.
  • Review payroll expenses regularly; identify and process adjustments
  • Serve as payroll backup
  • Advise unit staff on approaches to spending and proper use of resources
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and university financial regulations and policies
• Adaptive Plan Management: 20%
  • Serve as the Adaptive subject matter expert and oversee the planning and preparation of the Graduate School’s annual operating budget submission
  • Work closely with the Director of Finance, Fellowships & Awards as well as Graduate School unit directors to support effective resources planning and budget development
  • Monitor and revise/recast Adaptive plans as necessary and within stated guidelines/deadlines
  • Use Adaptive reporting to review actual vs. planned revenue and expenditures and recommend adjustments as necessary
  • Attend ongoing meetings and trainings, and participate in communities of practice
• Financial Reporting and Analysis: 20%
  • Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for internal and external stakeholders
  • Analyze financial data to support decision-making and strategic planning efforts
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess financial performance and operational efficiency
  • Conduct regular financial analysis and forecasting to identify trends, risks, and ongoing opportunities for improvement
• Process Improvement: 15%
  • Identify, recommend and lead initiatives to streamline financial processes and optimize the utilization of financial systems and tools
  • Provide training and regular support to staff on Workday, fiscal and operational policies and procedures, and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Other duties as assigned: 5%

Required Qualifications To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration or related field
• 4-5 years of progressively responsible financial operations and management experience in a university, public entity, or business setting
• Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.

Additional Qualifications

• Experience with financial, HR/payroll, and administrative systems such as Workday payroll/finance
• Strong financial management, budgeting, and analytical skills
• Excellent interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills
• Collaborative and flexible work style
• Detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Excel; proficiency with other financial analysis tools and software

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a complex higher education environment.
• Working knowledge of UW operating systems: SAGE, Workday, Adaptive, BI Portal.

Working Conditions

• This is a hybrid position requiring at least two days of onsite work per week at the Seattle UW campus during regular business hours.
• This position shares an office on alternating days with another Graduate School staff member.

About The Team For the University of Washington Graduate School, students are our purpose and our source of strength. Serving over 17,000 graduate students and supporting 300 graduate programs across our three campuses, we deliver inclusive programming, community events, professional and intellectual development resources and funding opportunities. Visit us at https://grad.uw.edu/ to learn more.

Compensation, Benefits And Position Details

Pay Range Minimum: $92,004.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum: $109,500.00 annual

Benefits

Other Compensation: For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular? This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) 100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit Not Applicable

About The UW Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [e-mail].

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.