Executive Director for Financial Strategy and Operations

Reyes Beer Division; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Paid holidays

Education benefits

Retirement plans

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Job summary

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for the Executive Director for Financial Strategy and Operations in the Division of Student Life. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Student Life and serving on the Student Life Executive Leadership Team, the Executive Director is the division's senior financial and operational leader.

The role provides strategic leadership for financial planning, budgeting, resource allocation, operational effectiveness, and technology strategy while

Qualifications

• Knowledge of strategic financial planning, budgeting, organizational effectiveness, and higher education operations.
• Ability to translate institutional priorities into financial and operational plans.
• Strong communication, financial analysis, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Leads strategic financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation.
• Advises senior leadership on financial implications of investments and initiatives.
• Oversees financial modeling, SPSF planning, and long-range fiscal sustainability.
• Guides workforce planning, organizational design, and process improvement.
• Builds collaborative relationships with campus leaders and external stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic financial planning

Budgeting

Operations leadership

Organizational leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Financial systems

Technology strategy

Job description

University of Tennessee

Knoxville, TN

Executive Director for Financial Strategy and Operations

Job Description

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for the Executive Director for Financial Strategy and Operations in the Division of Student Life. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Student Life and serving on the Student Life Executive Leadership Team, the Executive Director is the division's senior financial and operational leader.

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership for financial planning, budgeting, resource allocation, operational effectiveness, and technology strategy while serving as a trusted advisor to the Vice Chancellor. The position ensures sound financial stewardship, compliance, and alignment of resources with divisional priorities and student success goals and advances operational excellence and long-term organizational sustainability through collaboration with campus partners. The position provides oversight for a Student Life budget exceeding $90M to $100M and leadership for financial, technology, and administrative functions supporting the division.

To learn more about the Division of Student Life please see our detailed position prospectus

Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Resource Allocation

• Leads financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation, including annual operating budgets and multi-year financial plans aligned with divisional and institutional priorities.
• Advises senior leadership on financial implications of strategic investments, organizational initiatives, and emerging opportunities.
• Oversees financial modeling, scenario analysis, Student Programs and Services Fee (SPSF) planning, and long-range fiscal sustainability efforts to support informed decision-making and responsible stewardship of divisional resources.

Operations, Organizational Effectiveness, and Business Strategy

• Leads initiatives to improve operational performance, organizational effectiveness, and administrative efficiency in ways that align business processes, staffing models, and strengthen resource deployment with strategic priorities.
• Guides workforce planning, organizational design, and process improvement initiatives that enhance service delivery, optimize resources, and strengthen organizational capacity.
• Develops performance metrics and operational analytics to support evidence-based decision-making, continuous improvement, and organizational performance.

Executive Leadership, Supervision, and Strategic Partnerships

• Serves as a key member of the Student Life Executive Leadership Team and principal advisor to the Vice Chancellor on financial strategy, operational effectiveness, resource allocation, organizational sustainability, and administrative innovation.
• Supervises the Director of Student Life Finance and Administration and the Director of Student Life Technology and provides leadership, mentorship, and direction that fosters accountability, innovation, continuous improvement, and high performance.
• Build collaborative relationships with campus leaders, administrative partners, and external stakeholders to advance divisional goals and institutional priorities.

Financial Stewardship, Compliance, and Risk Management

• Oversees financial reporting, internal controls, policy compliance, risk management, and the financial health and appropriate use of institutional, auxiliary, fee, and gift funds.
• Oversee audit coordination and compliance reviews and ensures implementation of financial policies and procedures.
• Ensures adherence to university, state, federal, and UT System requirements while promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable use of resources.

Technology Strategy and Data-Informed Decision Support

• Provides strategic oversight of Student Life technology initiatives and data-informed decision-making efforts.
• Ensures technology investments align with divisional priorities and support operational effectiveness and organizational goals.
• Promotes technology solutions that enhance efficiency, service delivery, and overall organizational performance.
• Provides leadership on emerging technologies, data strategy, process automation, and artificial intelligence applications that improve organizational effectiveness and enhance service delivery.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of strategic financial planning, budgeting, organizational effectiveness, student affairs administration, higher education operations, university policies, and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Ability to think strategically, lead complex organizations, and translate institutional priorities into effective financial and operational plans.
• Strong skills in communication, financial analysis, personnel management, and organizational leadership, with the ability to manage budgets, personnel, programs, facilities, and operations in a complex regulatory and political environment while fostering collaboration, accountability, and innovation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in finance, budgeting, operations, administration, strategic planning, or organizational management.
• Experience with financial oversight, resource allocation, program or operational management, and collaboration with multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects, initiatives, or teams in a complex organizational environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree.
• Seven (7) or more years of experience in higher education, student affairs, finance, operations, administration, or a related field, with progressive leadership and administrative responsibility.
• Experience overseeing multiple functional areas, including financial management, business operations, technology, human resources, facilities, or auxiliary services.
• Demonstrated success advising senior leaders, leading organizational change, managing complex budgets, and aligning resources with strategic and operational priorities.

Compensation and Benefits

• UT Market Range: 17
• Anticipated Hiring Range: $150,000-$155,000
• The University of Tennessee offers a competitive benefits package, including paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, education benefits, retirement plans, and medical, dental, and vision insurance.