Director for Business Services

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Director for Business Services on UT Main Campus to provide strategic financial leadership for Texas Student Life. You will partner with senior leaders to set priorities, forecast resources, and guide long-term planning.

The role oversees budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, and Workday administration, while supervising staff and ensuring compliance across departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, budgeting, business operations, or a related area.
• Experience developing and managing complex budgets, forecasts, analyses, and advising senior leaders on resource allocation.
• Experience establishing internal controls, reconciling financial activity, interpreting policies, and ensuring compliance.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience, including staff development, performance management, and service standards.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly and build cross-organizational relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, management, and monitoring of the annual operating budget for Student Life.
• Develop financial forecasts, multiyear models, and scenario analyses for long-term planning.
• Provide financial reporting, risk assessment, and decision-support to leadership.
• Supervise staff handling financial, HR, and administrative functions and provide guidance.
• Lead the adoption and use of Workday and related financial reporting tools.
• Coordinate with central university offices on budgeting and compliance.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Leadership

Communication

Strategic planning

Policy compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, higher education administration, or related field

Tools

Workday

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Director for Business Services

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Hiring Department:

Texas Student Life

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

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Earliest Start Date:

Dec 07, 2026

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

Purpose

The Director for Business Services provides strategic financial leadership and operational oversight for Student Life. As a member of the Student Life Leadership Team, the Director works directly with the Assistant Vice President for Student Life, Senior Director for Operations, and other senior leaders to establish priorities, evaluate resource needs, and make informed decisions. The position advises leadership on budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation, financial risk, compliance, and long-term financial planning. The Director also provides functional guidance related to Workday and other administrative systems.

Budget Development and Financial Planning

• Lead the development, management, and monitoring of Student Life's annual operating budget, ensuring alignment with university policies, available resources, and strategic priorities.
• Develop financial forecasts, multiyear budget models, and scenario analyses that support long-term planning and informed resource allocation.
• Prepare and communicate budget-to-actual and variance analyses, identify emerging financial pressures, and recommend timely adjustments.
• Advise the Assistant Vice President and Student Life directors on funding strategies, position management, program investments, and the financial implications of proposed initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, operational efficiencies, and responsible revenue generation while maintaining financial sustainability and service quality.
• Coordinate annual budget submissions, funding requests, and other financial planning activities with central university offices.

Financial Oversight Reporting and Advising

• Monitor expenditures, commitments, balances, and financial activity across assigned accounts and funding sources; ensure timely reconciliation and resolution of discrepancies.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate internal financial controls that safeguard university resources and promote accurate, consistent, and transparent business practices.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, state and federal requirements, grant terms, contractual obligations, and applicable accounting and reporting standards.
• Prepare, review, and distribute accurate financial reports, projections, and decision-support materials for Student Life and university leadership.
• Serve as the principal financial advisor to Student Life leadership by identifying financial risks, explaining budget implications, and recommending funding and mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with university finance, accounting, procurement, grants management, human resources, and other administrative offices to resolve issues and promote consistent practices.

Supervision and Team Leadership

• Supervise, train, develop, and evaluate staff responsible for financial, human resources, and administrative functions.
• Supervise the Student Governance Financial Advisor and provide direction for financial processes supporting student governance organizations, including funding allocations, scholarship accounts, reconciliations, and compliance.
• Establish performance expectations, workflow standards, service expectations, and accountability measures for assigned staff.
• *Provide financial training, consultation, and functional guidance to Student Life directors, administrative staff, budget managers, and other employees with financial responsibilities.
• Promote consistent business practices, cross-training, continuity of operations, and effective coordination across Student Life units.

Financial Systems and Process Improvement

• Evaluate and improve financial workflows, reporting structures, reconciliation procedures, documentation, and internal business processes.
• Lead the adoption and effective use of financial tools, Workday functions, and reporting technologies that strengthen planning, analysis, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Develop procedures, reference materials, and training resources that support consistent financial and administrative practices across Student Life.

Administration and Special Projects

• Coordinate year-end financial activities, audits, records management, and other required reviews or reporting processes.
• Support Workday and related administrative functions in coordination with Human Resources and central university offices.
• Lead financial and administrative projects for the Assistant Vice President and Student Life leadership; represent Student Life on committees and working groups as assigned.
• Perform other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, higher education administration, or a related field, and at least seven years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, budgeting, business operations, or a related area.

• Demonstrated experience developing and managing complex budgets, preparing forecasts and financial analyses, and advising senior leaders on resource allocation and financial risk.

• Experience establishing internal controls, reconciling financial activity, interpreting policies, and ensuring compliance within a complex organization.

• Demonstrated supervisory experience, including staff development, performance management, workflow design, and the establishment of service and accountability standards.

• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to audiences with varying levels of financial knowledge and to build effective relationships across organizational boundaries.

• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, written communication, and presentation skills, with the judgment and discretion required to manage sensitive financial and personnel information.

• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible financial or business operations experience, including leadership of multiple functions or a complex portfolio.
• Experience with financial management, budgeting, accounting, procurement, grants, or human resources in a large public university or similarly complex organization.
• Experience using Workday or comparable enterprise systems and developing financial reports, dashboards, forecasting tools, or decision-support resources.
• Experience supporting financial operations for student governance organizations, student fee-funded programs, scholarship accounts, or other decentralized university activities.
• Knowledge of university financial policies, public-sector accounting practices, internal controls, audit requirements, and sponsored-project or grant compliance.

Salary Range

$120,000 + depending on qualifications

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.