Director of Finance & Administration

Montgomery County Maryland; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 96,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

Kansas State University is seeking a Director of Finance and Administration to lead financial operations for the Housing and Dining Services, supporting 4,500+ residents with a $50M+ budget. The role demands strategic and operational leadership to align financial planning with institutional goals.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree with five years of relevant experience; a Master’s degree and 10 years of experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• 10 years of relevant experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides executive-level leadership for a complex, $50M+ Housing and Dining operation serving 4,500+ residents.
• Oversees financial strategy and operations including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, procurement, contracting, compliance, and audit readiness.
• Leads departmental data analytics, occupancy forecasting, and data-driven decision making.
• Sets strategic direction for departmental technology services and partners with IT to implement enterprise systems.

Skills

Financial acumen

Strategic leadership

Operational management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree

Job description

About This Role

The Director of Finance and Administration serves as a member of the executive management team and is responsible for overseeing the department’s daily financial operations in support of more than 4,500 residents and an annual budget of $50 million. The position provides strategic leadership in planning, developing, and managing financial and administrative activities within a complex and diverse department. The Director supports and advances institutional and departmental goals and initiatives aligned with the organization’s mission.

Key areas of responsibility include financial management, accounting and reporting, strategic planning, capital finance, and data-driven decision-making. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to operate effectively at both the strategic and operational levels, translating organizational priorities into sound financial strategies and effective day-to-day operations.

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Provides executive-level leadership for a complex, $50M+ Housing and Dining operation serving 4,500+ residents. Oversees financial strategy and operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation, cash flow, financial reporting, procurement, contracting, compliance, and audit readiness. Advises executive leadership on financial performance, develops resource allocation strategies, and leads bond financing, tax-exemption initiatives, and capital funding for major facility improvements.
• Leads departmental data analytics and develops models supporting occupancy forecasting, room and board rate-setting, resource allocation, and data driven decision making. Oversees student housing contracts, occupancy reporting, Kansas Board of Regents rate submissions, and the Housing Management System supporting contracts, billing, and reporting.
• Sets the strategic direction for departmental technology services and partners with central IT to implement and maintain enterprise systems supporting finance, housing, retail, timekeeping, events, service management, marketing, facilities, and operational reporting. Drives digital innovation, systems modernization, cloud transformation, cybersecurity, and PCI compliance while ensuring technology investments align with business needs and budget constraints.
• Provides leadership in policy development, university committees, and cross-functional strategic projects. Collaborates with University Purchasing, General Counsel, the University Controller, Board of Regents, and other institutional partners to advance departmental and university priorities while fostering innovation, accountability, collaboration, and a culture of excellence.

About Us

The Department of Housing and Dining Services offers award-winning dining centers, residence halls, and apartment neighborhoods. We pride ourselves in taking excellent care of our residents, and that is reflected in our recent Princeton Review rankings. The 2025 Princeton Review ranks us #2 Happiest Students, #2 Best Quality of Life, #8 Best College Residence Halls, and #14 Best Campus Food.
From fostering community in our residence halls, to serving up delicious home cooked meals in the dining centers, and teaching responsibility and leadership through student employment throughout our department, Housing and Dining strives for residents to have a well-rounded and positive experience living on-campus. Functional areas within the department include administrative, maintenance, student living, and dining services.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience. Education beyond the minimum degree requirement may count toward required experience if deemed relevant by the hiring manager. The degree requirement ensures candidates possess the financial acumen, strategic leadership and organizational management skills necessary to oversee complex business operations, develop and implement growth strategies and ensure regulatory compliance. These competencies are typically developed and rigorously validated only through the comprehensive curriculum and experiential learning inherent in a formal degree program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree
• 10 years of relevant experience

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Application Window

Applications close on: September 23, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$95,903.00 - $158,242.00 annual