Director, Finance and Administration, School of Architecture

Lead Administrator

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Salary Range $120,000.00 - $225,000.00

The School of Architecture is the university's professional graduate school offering three graduate degree programs to 225 students, a Ph.D. program, as well as two undergraduate degrees in Architecture and Urban Studies to students enrolled in Yale College.

Reporting jointly to the Dean and to the Finance Functional Leader for the art schools, the Lead Administrator (LA) provides leadership and oversight of the financial, administrative and operational activities of the School. The LA is the strategic partner to the Dean and the chief financial steward managing an annual operating budget of $30M. The LA is also responsible for human resources management, overseeing student financial aid services, research administration, faculty appointments, events, and facilities including Rudolph Hall, the Center for Ecosystems and Architecture Lab on Howe Street, and space at West Campus. The LA will provide strategic support to the Advanced Technology unit and the Fabrication Labs, ensuring they are effectively resourced and supported in long-term planning. As a member of the senior leadership team, the LA will routinely collaborate with the deans, faculty, and staff to provide strategic guidance in the development and implementation of school-wide initiatives and priorities.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Well-developed managerial, decision-making, planning, organizational, problem-resolution, and leadership skills.

2. Expertise in developing and implementing long-term business and operational strategies with a strong ability to optimize resources.

3. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with proficiency in conveying ideas clearly to diverse audiences and facilitating collaboration.

4. Proficiency in financial management including budgeting, planning, and resource allocation, with a solid understanding of internal control concepts.

5. Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to handle complex issues with sound judgment.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting.

2. Previous experience in a university or academic environment is preferred.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Strategic Partner : Achievement of the organization's mission and goals by working in close partnership with the organization leader, faculty, staff, students and service providers to develop and implement the organization's strategy. Understands and monitors external and internal factors influencing the organization's mission and goals. Plans for financial and non-financial resources required for the organization to achieve its goals. Supports organization and program leaders in conceptualizing, prioritizing, and planning new programs or program changes. Supports, and when necessary drives, the organization's process for strategic planning with key faculty and staff.

2. University Citizen : Connects the organization and the University through communication, alignment of priorities, implementation of initiatives, and active engagement in organization or University administrative priorities. Effectively represents organization needs, challenges, and opportunities at the University level. Proactively shares knowledge and best practices with others.

3. Financial Analyst and Advisor : Provides comprehensive financial information, analysis and advice to optimize use of the organization's financial resources. Creates and updates long range financial plan(s), reflecting all critical issues. Identifies available financial resources (current and future), and advises and deploys efficiently to best support organization objectives. Prepares all-funds budgets, analyzes financial activities and performance against budget, makes adjustments and takes action as needed.

4. Risk Management Administrator : Implements and maintains strong internal controls to provide reasonable assurance of effective and appropriate resource use, accurate financial information, adherence to contractual obligations and agreements, policies, procedures, and external regulatory requirements. Identifies, communicates, addresses and escalates risks in a timely and appropriate manner to protect the assets, resources, information and reputation of the organization and the University. Ensures all faculty and staff understand the regulations and Yale requirements as they pertain to their scope of activity.

5. Talent Manager and Developer : Ensures the organization employs effective practices for retaining, attracting and developing talent in line with University guidelines and contractual agreements. Ensures that all organization staff participate in the University's performance management and career development processes. Ensures the needs of the organization's current and future talent are assessed periodically and that issues are addressed, facilitating the movement of talent where appropriate and developing Business Operations staff. Cultivates a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives in the organization. Assures that the organization follows appropriate School and University policies and procedures related to Human Resources.

6. Administrative Services Leader : Ensures efficient and effective completion of all administrative and financial services provided to the organization. Ensures high quality delivery of administrative services by providers outside the organization, including human resources, information technology, procurement, student services, post-doctoral affairs and faculty affairs. Establishes, monitors, and meets or exceeds targets for operational excellence. Identifies and implements opportunities to achieve continuous improvement of processes. Responsible for building and managing a team of high-performance administrative and financial professionals.

7. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Minimum of a bachelor's degree and ten years progressively responsible experience 5 of which are in a leadership role; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated fiscal responsibility and comprehensive knowledge of accounting, financial reporting and analysis. Demonstrated experience with complex strategic planning and resource allocation. Demonstrated experience in managing relationships and influencing outcomes. Demonstrated creativity and effectiveness in a complex organization. Demonstrated success in developing people and organizations.

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role's grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

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