Executive Director- College/Division Business Operations

University of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Houston seeks a Dean for the College of Education to lead and oversee business operations, budgeting, and strategic planning. The role involves ensuring fiscal accountability, managing personnel and contracts, and guiding policy development at a high level.

Ideal candidates will bring extensive higher education experience, strong leadership, and a proven ability to align budget development with strategic priorities. Internal applicants only apply.

Qualifications

• Requires a formal 4 year degree or equivalent.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of directly related experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Directs development, implementation and administration of business operations for a complex college or division.
• Leads strategic financial planning and budget development in alignment with priorities.
• Oversees accounting, HR, payroll, contracts, purchasing, and travel.
• Ensures compliance with policies and external funding agencies, and provides financial accountability.
• Serves as liaison with executives and administrative offices on fiscal and operational matters.
• Manages major projects including capital construction, renovations, and new programs.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Financial oversight

Education

Four-year degree

Tools

PeopleSoft Finance and HR

Hyperion Planning

PageUp

Job description

Department: Dean, Education Salary: Commensurate with Experience/Education

Description

This position will be for the College of Education.

Internal Applicants Only

Directs the development, implementation and administration of business operations for a complex college or division. Engages in strategic planning and analysis and serves as point of contact for fiscal and administrative matters.

1. Directs overall strategic planning as well as the creation and implementation of annual budget. Reviews budget and personnel reports submitted by subordinates and conducts analyses and projections.
2. Provides financial accountability and ensures compliance with state, university and external funding agencies. Provides direct oversight of college's business staff in charge of financial and personnel matters.
3. Serves as resource to dean, chairs and directors on strategic financial and administrative matters, as well as policies and program development. Writes policy statements, facilitates management decisions, and engages in long-range planning and analysis.
4. Leads major projects, which may include capital construction, building renovation, and the creation of new departments and programs.
5. Directs procurement operations, including contracts, purchasing and travel.
6. Oversees the administration of the college's accounting records, including sponsored project accounts. Ensures compliance with applicable policies and procedures and supervises business audit reviews.
7. Oversees the administration of the human resource and payroll processes for the college, including position budget management, faculty affairs, and staff performance evaluation.
8. Interprets university policies and procedures and arranges for staff training as appropriate.
9. Serves as liaison with executives and administrative offices regarding fiscal and operational issues. Represents the college or division on committees and in other administrative contexts.
10. Performs other job-related duties as required.

Qualifications

MQ: Education: Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline; or the basic knowledge of more than one professional discipline. Knowledge of the discipline is normally obtained through a formal, directly job‑related 4 year degree from a college or university or an equivalent in‑depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed.

Experience: Requires a minimum of seven (7) years of directly job‑related experience.

Certification/Licensing: None.

Ideal Candidate

• Higher education experience and familiarity with current and emerging trends.
• Experience supporting executive leadership at the Dean level or similar.
• Experience supporting the strategic planning and leadership vision of a complex unit and aligning annual budget development with strategic priorities.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational change and building high‑performing teams, including restructuring workflows, guiding staff through transitions, assessing and arranging for needed professional development, and fostering a collaborative, service‑oriented culture.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain budget and finance concepts in words faculty and staff can understand.
• Service leadership skills, including mutual respect, active listening, responsiveness, empathy, advocacy, and transparency.
• Strong multi‑tasking and organizational skills, with the ability to work in a high‑pressure environment and strong problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to clearly interpret and implement policies and procedures.
• Experience in human resources administration.
• Experience in budget planning and financial management.
• Experience managing externally funded grants.
• Experience managing contracts.
• Experience managing revenues and voluntary fees.
• Highest level of professionalism and respect for confidentiality.
• Established network with major interface units on campus, such as other colleges, Facilities, the Division of Research, the Controller's Office, Treasury, the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Human Resources, the Office of Contract Administration, Advancement, and Information Technology, and the ability to interact effectively with all levels of internal and external constituents.
• Highest level of proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PeopleSoft Finance and HR.
• Experience with Hyperion Planning (i.e., CoogPlan).
• Experience with PageUp.

Required Documents

• Cover letter that delineates the manner in which your work experience applies to the posting.
• Resume
• Salary History
• Transcript
• Three work references. The hiring department expects you to name current or past supervisors.

NOTE: We will maintain your confidentiality and notify you in advance of contacting any of your references. References will be contacted only after the interview process has been completed.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

• Department is willing to accept education in lieu of experience.
• Department is willing to accept experience in lieu of education.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.