University of Arizona

Executive Director of the Academic Financial Office

Tucson, AZ, US · Director

Sponsorship not specifiedDetected 2 days ago

Data AnalysisFinancial ModelingAccountingBudgetingPerformance ManagementResearchLeadershipCommunicationCollaborationVariance Analysis

About the role

Continuously assess and adjust leadership roles and team structures to ensure optimal efficiency and effectiveness in achieving the financial and University-wide goals.
Oversee the execution of innovative operational plans and systems for integrated financial operations and budgeting processes strategically aligning the administration of academics with the University's strategic goals.
Facilitate cross-functional collaboration across the colleges and with other central administrative units to integrate financial efforts related to the CFO's responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Lead the transition from a distributed academic financial model to a new structure that is aligned with the university's financial structures and strategic imperatives and is managed in the CFO's office in collaboration with academic leadership.
Lead and inspire a distributed workforce of over 200 business and finance professionals by establishing clear standards for operational excellence, transparency, and ethical stewardship across all academic units.
Set the cultural tone, model the collaborative behavior needed, and align the technical functions of academic business administration with the university's academic and research mission, ensuring all team members understand how their fiscal roles directly support faculty and staff success and student outcomes.
Drive large-scale cultural change by implementing consistent, equitable practices in hiring, workload distribution, and professional development across the academic portfolio, reducing "silo" behaviors and promoting cross-unit collaboration.
With the support of the Office of Business Affairs and with University Communications, design and execute a comprehensive internal communication strategy - including "all-hands" interactions, functional working groups, and digital tool sets - to ensure all members of the team remain informed, engaged, and aligned with the CFO and Provost's strategic priorities.
Lead the development of a comprehensive suite of multi-year financial models for the colleges supporting initiatives related to areas such as academic programs, faculty development, student success, optimization of academic revenue streams and the fiscal impact of enrollment fluctuations.
Take a lead role in the change management necessary for success.
Partner with the Provost, CHRO, and Deans to model and manage the long-term fiscal impact of faculty affairs, including the competitive structuring of start-up packages, retention funding, tenure-track line allocations, and instructional capacity planning across all 20 colleges.
Develop a standardized process for and conduct comprehensive financial due diligence for new programs and initiatives, ensuring a thorough examination of financial considerations.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives in financial evaluation processes, utilizing technology and data analytics for enhanced efficiency.

Requirements

Deep knowledge of fund accounting, RCM (Responsibility Center Management) or similar decentralized budget models, and the complex regulatory environment of a public R1 research institution.
Proven ability to synthesize massive datasets - such as enrollment trends, research expenditures, and instructional costs - into clear, actionable financial narratives for the CFO, Provost, and Deans.

Benefits

Establish a robust framework for financial management reporting for the CFO and Provost, incorporating relevant benchmarks and best practices for central academic business administrative functions in higher education.

Apply directly at University of Arizona →Create a free account for alerts like this View University of Arizona immigration profile

This listing is sourced directly from University of Arizona's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.