Finance Director - Arts & Architecture (Budget & Forecasts)

The Regents of the University of California on behalf of their Los Angeles Campus; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

The Regents of the University of California on behalf of their Los Angeles Campus' UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture seeks a Director of Finance to lead the financial administration, including budget planning, forecasting, and controls.

Reporting to the COO/CFO, the director translates strategy into budgets, oversees the Business Office, and supervises budgeting and purchasing teams. The role requires advanced fund accounting, leadership, and experience in higher education finance.

Qualifications

• Experience leading budget planning, forecasting, financial analysis, and financial control for a complex, multi-fund organization.
• Advanced knowledge of fund accounting, internal controls, financial reporting, restricted funds, sponsored activity, purchasing, and audit support.
• Experience managing a Business Office and leading budget and purchasing teams, including setting priorities and service standards.
• Supervisory experience with staff development, workload management, and performance evaluation.
• Strong analytical skills to identify risks, develop alternatives, and present actionable recommendations to senior leaders.
• Financial modeling and forecasting to evaluate costs, commitments, revenue trends, and resource-allocation scenarios.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets, databases, reporting, and financial-management systems; design of models, dashboards, and controls.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex University policies and ensure compliance.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and manage competing priorities.
• Experience in higher education and knowledge of contracts, gifts/endowments, and funded accounts.
• Knowledge of UCLA/UC policies and systems including ASCEND and UCPath.

Responsibilities

• Lead the financial administration and Business Office operations of the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture.
• Translate the COO/CFO's strategy into budgets, forecasts, controls, reporting, and business services.
• Oversee the annual budget and multi-year forecasting; monitor financial performance and fund management.
• Manage the Business Office and supervise budget and purchasing teams; set service standards and internal controls.
• Coordinate financial practices across the School and ensure transactions comply with policies and donor/fund restrictions.
• Escalate material financial risks to the COO/CFO and provide analyses to support leadership decisions.

Skills

Budget planning

Forecasting

Financial analysis

Financial controls

Fund accounting

Internal controls

Financial reporting

Purchasing

Audit support

Staff development

Change leadership

Data modeling

Spreadsheets

Policy interpretation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

ASCEND

UCPath

Reporting systems

Job description

The Regents of the University of California on behalf of their Los Angeles Campus' UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture seeks a Director of Finance to lead the financial administration, including budget planning, forecasting, and controls.

Reporting to the COO/CFO, the director translates strategy into budgets, oversees the Business Office, and supervises budgeting and purchasing teams. The role requires advanced fund accounting, leadership, and experience in higher education finance.