Strategic Dean’s Office: Finance & Administration Leader

NU USA Northeastern University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 157,000 - 228,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Wellness programs

Retirement plan

Commuting benefits

Job summary

Northeastern University in Boston seeks an Associate Dean of Administration and Finance to lead the college’s budgeting, research administration, HR collaboration, and space management within a dynamic, large academic environment.

The role reports to the Dean, directs budget and finance teams, and shapes multi-year financial planning while ensuring compliance and strategic alignment with university goals.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required, MBA preferred.
• At least 10 years of increasingly responsible leadership experience successfully managing all administrative facets of a large, multimillion-dollar operation.
• At least five years of managerial or supervisory experience.
• Experience with project management, change management, and resource and staff allocation.
• Experience using financial databases and developing reports.
• High level of analytical skill.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and activities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and facilitation skills.
• Commitment to a culture of professionalism with a service focus.
• Experience in higher education preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the college’s annual operating budget and multi-year financial models under the university’s hybrid budget model.
• Report quarterly budget-to-actual performance and advise the Dean on revenue and expense planning.
• Oversee contracts and sponsored research administration, including pre-award and post-award grant management, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and sponsor regulations.
• Collaborate with the central budget office, the Office of the Provost, and counterparts across colleges on finance and administration matters.
• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team and help formulate and implement the college’s strategic plan.
• Provide analytical reports on enrollment, staffing, financial, and space trends to guide resource allocation.
• Identify opportunities to enhance the college and proactively surface challenges and alternatives to keep college and university goals on track.
• Partner with Human Resources and Faculty Affairs throughout the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, retention, morale, training, performance reviews, promotions, job transfers and changes, and compensation for faculty and staff.
• Lead staff allocation across the college by assessing unit-level needs, evaluating options such as reallocation, restructuring, and shared services, and addressing gaps or imbalances in coverage.
• Lead staffing and organizational changes using change management practices, including stakeholder communication, phased implementation, and impact assessment, to minimize disruption and build support.
• Establish effective communication methods to ensure timely and accurate information is shared with faculty and staff and foster strong relationships throughout the college.
• Directly lead, coach, and develop the budget and finance administration and research administration teams by setting objectives, providing feedback, and fostering a high-performance work environment.
• Supervise the Director of Finance and Administration; Director of College Research Administration and Research Finance; Director of Belonging; and Director of Reporting and Financial Planning.
• Manage the college’s space portfolio of nearly 90,000 square feet across the university.
• Coordinate space planning and capital projects with university offices.
• Lead college-wide programmatic initiatives as directed by the Dean.
• Represent the Dean and the college to internal and external audiences and constituents.
• Represent the college on standing and ad hoc committees related to finance, administration, business processes, and data reporting.
• Provide college-level financial and space reporting to the Office of the Provost and other university-wide units

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Change management

Budgeting/Financial analysis

HR/recruitment

Communication

Analytical skills

Multi-tasking

Higher education experience

Negotiation

Education

Master's degree

MBA preferred

Tools

Financial databases

Reporting tools

Job description

Northeastern University in Boston seeks an Associate Dean of Administration and Finance to lead the college’s budgeting, research administration, HR collaboration, and space management within a dynamic, large academic environment.

The role reports to the Dean, directs budget and finance teams, and shapes multi-year financial planning while ensuring compliance and strategic alignment with university goals.