Executive Director of Financial Shared Services

UNC-Chapel Hill; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

UNC-Chapel Hill is seeking an Executive Director of Finance and Procurement for the Academic Shared Services Center. The leader will guide finance, procurement, and process improvements across academic units, building a high-performing organization with strong financial stewardship and clear accountability.

The role requires strategic leadership, change management, and collaboration with deans, school leaders, and central offices to optimize resources and ensure service excellence.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive management-level experience in a related field.
• Technologically savvy, customer focused, collaborative leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for finance and procurement services across participating schools and units.
• Build and lead a high-performing organization delivering accurate, timely financial services and strong stewardship.
• Establish priorities, staffing models, performance expectations, and accountability for service delivery.
• Lead processes to streamline operations, strengthen controls, and leverage technology for visibility.
• Partner with deans and business officers to inform resource allocation and align with academic priorities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial stewardship

Change management

Stakeholder collaboration

Operational excellence

Education

Master’s or Bachelor’s in business administration/finance

10 years progressive management-level experience

Tools

Financial systems

Job description

Executive Director of Financial Shared Services

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

"INTERNAL ONLY: Internal posting for permanent, time-limited, layoff priority employees of UNC-Chapel Hill, and temporary employees hired directly by UNC-Chapel Hill only."

Posting Information

Posting Information

Department

Department Org Strategy and Performance-214500

Career Area Accounting/Finance/Auditing

Posting Open Date

Posting Open Date 11/06/2026

Application Deadline

Application Deadline 11/23/2026

Open Until Filled No

Position Type

Position Type Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title

Working Title Executive Director of Financial Shared Services

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC -Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package , paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The Academic Shared Services Center is a component of the University’s ServiceFirst operating model and provides designated administrative services to participating academic schools and units. The Center is designed to bring together expertise and capacity across participating organizations, improve consistency and customer experience, reduce unnecessary duplication, strengthen operational resilience, and achieve sustainable efficiencies while maintaining an understanding of the distinct missions and needs of the schools and units it supports.
The Finance and Procurement function within the Academic Shared Services Center provides a coordinated portfolio of financial transactional, advisory, and workforce services in partnership with the University’s central office and school and unit leadership. Services are delivered through common standards, defined service expectations, transparent performance measures, and continuous process improvement.

Position Summary

“ INTERNAL ONLY : Internal posting for permanent, time-limited, layoff priority employees of UNC -Chapel Hill, and temporary employees hired directly by UNC -Chapel Hill only.”
Hybrid: This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.
The Executive Director of Finance and Procurement, ServiceFirst Academic Shared Services Center, provides strategic and operational leadership for finance and procurement services supporting participating academic schools and units. The position is responsible for building and leading a high-performing organization that delivers accurate, timely, consistent, and customer-focused financial services while maintaining strong financial stewardship and responsiveness to the distinct needs of the academic units served. The Executive Director establishes operational priorities, staffing and capacity models, performance expectations, and accountability measures to ensure effective service delivery.
The Executive Director provides leadership for a portfolio of financial and procurement activities including accounting and reconciliation, accounts payable and receivable, purchasing and procurement, financial transactions, billing, financial reporting, budgeting support, and related financial operations. The position ensures appropriate internal controls, compliance, risk management, and audit readiness while using financial and operational data to identify trends, inform resource decisions, resolve complex issues, and improve efficiency. The Executive Director also leads efforts to streamline processes, strengthen financial controls, and leverage technology and automation to improve operational capacity and financial visibility.
The Executive Director serves as a senior financial partner to deans, school leadership, business officers, and other academic-unit leaders, providing financial analysis, insight, and decision support to inform resource allocation and alignment with academic and institutional priorities. The position works closely with central Finance and Operations leadership, and other functional partners to resolve complex financial and operational matters, clarify responsibilities, strengthen enterprise practices, and balance consistency with legitimate unit-specific needs.
As a senior leader in the Academic Shared Services Center, the Executive Director is responsible for organizational structure, workforce planning, talent development, performance management, and succession planning. The position leads organizational and operational change and establishes a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and service excellence. Success requires an accomplished financial and operational leader who can build trust across diverse academic environments and deliver measurable improvements in financial performance, operational efficiency, compliance, and stakeholder experience.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Master’s or Bachelor’s and 0-2 years’ experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

A Master’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting or a related field with prior experience in a position of comparable scope and complexity may be considered. A minimum of 10 years of progressive management-level experience in a related field. The successful candidate will be technologically savvy, innovative, customer focused, and a collaborative leader.
Demonstrated experience in leading a shared services organization, successful business process reengineering, planning, analysis; management skills that balance strategic, industry, business, and people factors; leading project management and change management functions; exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills; coalition building, facilitation and collaboration skills.
Strong planning, analysis, and management skills.
Strong leadership skills, experience leading knowledgeable subject matter experts, and developing staff.
Experience dealing with change management, both from an organizational/structural and technical/system perspective.
Experience leading complex financial systems and organizations, especially in a university setting.
Experience operating as a team member in a cohesive leadership team; willingness to participate in team interactions, thinking, and decision-making.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Experience in performing these functions in a public research university setting is strongly preferred.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions

“ INTERNAL ONLY : Internal posting for permanent, time-limited, layoff priority employees of UNC -Chapel Hill, and temporary employees hired directly by UNC -Chapel Hill only.”

Office of Human Resources Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at [phone] or send an email to [e-mail]
Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae / Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of References

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Please select the response below that describes your level of education that best or most closely satisfies the education requirements for this position.
  • Bachelor’s degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field
  • Bachelor's degree in any field/discipline
  • Master's degree or Doctorate degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field
  • Master's degree or Doctorate degree in any field/discipline
  • None of the above
• * This is an internal posting for permanent, time-limited, layoff priority employees of UNC-Chapel Hill, and temporary employees hired directly by UNC-Chapel Hill only. Are you a permanent, time-limited, layoff priority, or direct-hire temporary employee of UNC-Chapel Hill?
  • Yes
  • No