Senior Manager, Unit Finance Administration

ULSA University of Louisville; United States; On-site; USD 77,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Louisville is seeking a Senior Manager, Unit Finance Administration to lead financial planning and analysis for the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). You will work with the Dean and campus partners to ensure fiscal stability and strategic alignment.

Key duties include budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, as well as supervising finance staff and improving processes to strengthen internal controls and data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and six years of relevant experience or equivalent.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis skills.
• Experience with Workday HR/Finance, BAM, and QuickBooks.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgets, financial plans, and forecasts for the College of Education.
• Analyze finances to support strategic decisions and identify trends.
• Coordinate payroll, pro-card, and journal entries; ensure policy compliance.
• Provide leadership across the Dean’s Office finance staff and develop talent.

Job description

Department and Minimum Requirements

Department: Dean's Office
Location: Belknap Campus
Time Type: Full time
Worker Type: Regular
Job Req ID: R108573
Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree in a related field and six (6) years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Grade 9 (Salaried)

Position Description

The Senior Manager, Unit Finance Administration provides financial leadership for the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), guiding budget development, monitoring, and analysis. The position works closely with the Dean and campus partners to ensure sound financial operations and effective implementation of College initiatives. This role advances the College’s financial priorities by advising on fiscal strategies, coordinating financial plans, and aligning budget practices with strategic goals. This role represents the Dean’s financial interests across units, translating priorities into actionable, data‑driven processes that support long‑term financial sustainability. They will serve as a member of the Dean’s senior leadership team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Budgeting, Financial Planning, and Analysis
  • Develop, implement, and monitor annual budgets, financial plans, and forecasts for the College of Education.
  • Conduct financial analyses to support strategic decision‑making, identify trends, and recommend improvements.
  • Prepare budget projections, revenue/expense analyses, variance reports, and pro forma statements for academic programs and auxiliary units.
  • Present financial information and reports to college leadership in a clear, actionable format.
• Financial Operations & Controls
  • Manage and monitor departmental expenditures, ensuring adherence to budgetary constraints and financial policies.
  • Oversee reconciliation of payroll, pro‑card, and departmental expenses.
  • Review and approve financial transactions including Workday submissions, OnBase documents, Premier expenses, and journal entries.
  • Liaise with campus partners on finance, funds flow, and human capital processes, resolving issues and ensuring compliance.
• Compliance, Risk Management, and Process Improvement
  • Maintain current knowledge of financial regulations and ensure adherence to internal policies, audit standards, and control requirements.
  • Identify financial risks and implement mitigation and contingency strategies.
  • Evaluate and enhance financial processes, systems, and internal controls to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Leadership, Supervision, and Professional Development
  • Oversee the full employee lifecycle (recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluation, and separation) for finance personnel in the Dean’s Office, including Business Unit Administrators, Financial Unit Administrators, and student workers.
  • Support staff in achieving success through coaching, training, and professional development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in finance, business administration, or related field.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentational skills.
• Goal‑oriented self‑starter who can work effectively with minimal direction and supervision.
• Possess proficiency with Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with and knowledge of working in BAM, WorkdayHR/Finance, and Quickbooks.

Competencies

• Fiscal Accountability - Follows fiscal guidelines, regulations, and internal controls in all financial activities. Ensures accuracy, transparency, and compliance when handling financial resources, budget processes, and transactions.
• Leadership - Demonstrates effective leadership in delegating tasks and ensuring follow‑up. Builds a positive, accountable work environment and serves as a finance liaison for the college.
• Attention to Detail - Ensures accuracy and completeness in financial reporting, reconciliation, and data analysis. Reviews work carefully and identifies inconsistencies or errors before finalizing tasks.
• Proactive - Anticipates issues and elevates concerns with well‑developed options for resolution. Takes proactive steps to ensure priorities advance in a timely manner.
• Adaptability & Flexibility - Responds effectively to changing financial needs, conditions, and organizational priorities. Adjusts approaches as necessary and maintains performance and professionalism during periods of change.
• Decision Making and Critical Thinking – Exercises sound judgment and independent analysis in prioritizing and resolving issues. Gathers relevant data, weighs alternatives, and makes timely decisions that support operational progress.
• Teamwork – Promotes cooperation, shared ownership, and commitment within and across teams.
• Interpersonal – Builds and maintains effective working relationships.
• Ethics & Integrity - Acts with honesty, confidentiality, and professionalism in all interactions. Demonstrates sound ethical judgment and adherence to policies, values, and standards.

Target Compensation

Maximum: $115,989.00

Minimum: $77,326.00

Compensation will be commensurate to candidate experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Louisville is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The University strives to provide equal employment opportunity on the basis of merit and without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, or pregnancy. In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veteran Readjustment Act of 1974, the University prohibits job discrimination of individuals with disabilities, Vietnam era veterans, qualified special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans. The University acknowledges its obligations to ensure affirmative steps are taken to ensure equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. It is the policy of the University that no employee or applicant for employment be subject to unlawful discrimination in terms of recruitment, hiring, promotion, contract, contract renewal, tenure, compensation, benefits, and/or working conditions. No employee or applicant for employment is required to endorse or condemn a specific ideology, political viewpoint, or social viewpoint to be eligible for hiring, contract renewal, tenure, or promotion. Consistent with applicable law, demographic information is collected for aggregate reporting requirements. Demographic information provided through this application is not available to hiring managers/committees and is not considered in hiring or employment decisions.

Assistance and Accommodations

Computers are available for application submission at the Human Resources Department located at 2315 South First Street Walk, Room 02C - Louisville, Kentucky 40292. If you require assistance or accommodation with our online application process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] or by phone [phone]. The University of Louisville is committed to being a great place to work, learn and invest. It is a place where you will thrive in a community of inclusivity, cultivate your innovative power and work where you’ll discover your purpose. Join the Cardinal Family today. Learn more about the University at our About Us page.