About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Senior Assistant Provost for Administration & Finance, the Executive Director for Financial Planning and Operations provides leadership, operational and administrative management, and analysis for the finance, human resources, planning, and operational functions for Enrollment Management, Undergraduate Affairs, and other associated departments and programs within the Office of the Provost.

The Executive Director ensures services function effectively, efficiently, and in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements as well as University policies, practices, and procedures. The Executive Director acts as an advisor and provides executive-level work to analyze and address matters of financial and personnel management. Develops sophisticated financial statistical reports and presentations that inform best practice decision-making, leading assigned units towards established goals and/or future objectives.

Essential Functions

• Serves as a strategic business partner to the Senior Vice Provost(s), Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, Associate Provost(s) and other senior leaders within Academic Affairs. Directs the shaping and impact of the operational efficiencies, processes, and strategies in the continued operations of assigned units.
• Maintains executive-level responsibility to manage financial and HR planning and processes, and ensures stated strategic objectives are successfully implemented, managed, and maintained to promote competitive advantage and innovation.
• Ensures that leadership understands the budget implications of actions and initiatives and is aware of forecasted shortfalls. Provides strategies for eliminating shortfalls while maintaining strategic direction.
• Directs, manages, and oversees the financial management for assigned units. Provides fiscal guidance for departments within the Provost's Office. Oversees all financial operations including procurement, accounts payable, financial reporting and analysis.
• Directs, manages, and oversees all human resource functions for assigned units.
• Serves as the primary resource regarding all matters relative to campus personnel policies and procedures and serves as the primary liaison with central Human Resources and other administrative offices relating to personnel matters. Works with department heads to oversee finance and personnel staff work duties and matters.
• Oversees the scheduling and completion of all faculty, staff, and student personnel actions, including hiring, reappointment, tenure and promotion, and appointments of department head and program directors. Ensures personnel actions are fully integrated with financial planning.
• Exercises effective communication, finance, and operations management best practices to ensure organization of planning, timelines, information sharing, goal setting, and achievement of success factors. Ensures accountability for team member contributions.
• Works successfully in a cross-functional capacity. Develops collaborative working relationships with a variety of constituents and departments including Academic Affairs, central Human Resources, and Administration and Finance. Enables strategic dialogues with senior-level stakeholders, articulates forward-thinking concepts, visions, and action plans.
• Collects, analyzes, and manipulates data to extract meaning and insight to supporting the mission of the University, specifically assigned units. Crafts and shapes reports to support/develop strategies that significantly improve financial and operational needs/outcomes.
• Works collaboratively with University offices (Administration & Finance, Budget Office, Controller's Office, Research & Engagement) to ensure assigned units are operating in the best manner possible and maintain compliance with all appropriate practices, policies and laws governing the University.
• Researches and applies new tools and practices to improve data collection, reporting and data generation for University-wide initiatives and overall operations. Develops and implements operational efficiencies, processes and strategies in the continued growth and success of assigned units.
• Works to create a diverse and inclusive workplace for all faculty, staff, and students. Ensures that all personnel practices are valid and dependable, and do not have adverse impact on under-represented groups. Works with a broad constituency of faculty, administrators, and staff to support a diverse operation in a professional and time sensitive environment.
• Leads the development and implementation of the overall HR management. Provides oversight and management for the personnel operations for including the full life cycle of personnel activities from recruitment to separation. Ensures that HR work is managed effectively, in a timely and confidential manner.
• Oversees cross-organizational project management, including the sourcing and deployment of temporary and student workforce.
• Plans and oversees special cross-departmental administrative projects (e.g., workspace reallocation, inter-office personnel transfers, building/contents/facilities maintenance, asset upgrades, storage arrangements, etc.).

Other Functions

• Provides backup and support for other units as needed.
• Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.
• Demonstrates capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
• Works creatively, collaboratively, and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, inclusiveness and belonging.
• Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.
• Takes initiative, is creative, and operates with self-direction.
• Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet Division and University goals and objectives.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's degree with five (5) years of proven financial and data analysis leadership, with a demonstrated ability to lead change initiatives in a complex and dynamic organization.
• Minimum of three (3) years supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated high-level knowledge of financial analysis, management, planning practices, policies, procedures, and proficiency with related software.
• Demonstrable and successful management and fiscal oversight experience, budgeting, reporting, and development of financial and operational metrics to align organizational strategy to business operations.
• Strong collaborative and communication skills.
• Must possess solid analytical skills and the ability to think strategically; while respecting the ability to appreciate "the details."
• Highly self-motivated and self-managed individual with the ability to manage multiple projects/priorities simultaneously. Ability to organize and work under strict time and production deadlines, while producing quality deliverables.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively and work productively in establishing and maintaining harmonious working relationships with a diverse population of staff and students.
• A proven history of a demonstrated commitment to customer service.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master's degree in Business Administration.
• Experience in assessing, developing, and re-engineering processes.
• Working knowledge of technologies/tools surrounding operational management including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting tools and analytical software.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position is non-unit, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Non-Unit (Professional/or Classified) Employee Personnel Policy.

Salary Information

Salary Level 30

Exempt Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.