ASSOCIATE DEAN, FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION, College of Communication, Administration at Boston University in BOSTON, MA

Established in 1947, Boston University’s College of Communication is a leading communication school providing its more than 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students degree programs in fields such as Emerging Media Studies, Film and Television, Journalism, Media Science, Advertising, and Public Relations. We believe in the power of communication to help create a better world, through building understanding among people and throughout society.
The Associate Dean of Finance & Administration oversees the College of Communication’s administration, human resources, budget planning, operations, and facilities. Reporting directly to the COM Dean, the Associate Dean is an integral member of the college’s strategic and executive leadership team, providing fiscal and strategic support to the departments in a collaborative, inclusive, and consultative manner. This position works with the Associate Deans, Chairs, Directors, faculty, and staff regarding all financial and operational issues to ensure that the College’s financial investments are consistent with the University’s and College’s strategic plans.

The Associate Dean for Finance and Administration serves as the senior fiscal and administrative officer for the college and as the principal financial advisor to the Dean. The Associate Dean leads operational management for the College, with responsibility for its operating and capital budgets ($30M budget across all funding sources), human resources (350+ faculty and staff), and operations.

The Associate Dean works to ensure effective use of funds and resource allocation in support of the College’s mission. The Associate Dean works to ensure the effective and efficient management of all college operations. In collaboration with the Dean and school leadership, the Associate Dean develops long-term financial plans to advance priorities and to ensure the financial sustainability and health of the College.

The Associate Dean serves as the primary liaison between the College and the University in the areas of Finance, Purchasing, Budget & Planning, Human Resources, Faculty Actions, Campus Planning & Operations, and Advancement. The Associate Dean has direct oversight for the finance/budget staff and operations departments (Facilities, Technology).

Essential Functions:

Leadership and strategic management (25%): Serve as key advisor to the Dean to support the overall strategic direction, implement new initiatives, and establish annual goals, integrating a mission perspective with knowledge of the College’s finances and operations, and those of the university. Create business plans, develop fiscal analyses, and examine all pertinent data plans to facilitate decision-making. Collaborate with Associate Deans, Chairs, and Directors to balance the needs of their units with college and university priorities. Ensure the integrity of the College’s processes, procedures, and policies for administrative, human resources, and financial administration systems. Establish goals and timetables for Operations, Finance, and Human Resources and develop strategies for implementation and oversee execution of goals. Act as direct manager to the Executive Director of Finance, Director of Technology, Director of Facilities, and Assistant Director of Events & Programs. Serves as the primary liaison between the College and the University in the areas of Finance, Purchasing, Budget & Planning, Human Resources, Faculty Actions, Campus Planning & Operations, and Advancement.

Finance & Budget (35%): Contribute leadership and direction over all financial operations. The Associate Dean is responsible for an approximately $30M budget which includes unrestricted accounts, designated accounts, gift accounts, spendable endowment accounts, and grant accounts. The Associate Dean collaborates with the Dean and senior leadership to develop short-term and long-range financial plans that encompass executive management and academic priorities and is aligned with the college’s strategic plan. Oversee creation and development of the operating and capital budgets, including all budget submissions, documentation and supporting analysis. Serve as a key liaison for faculty and staff navigating university financial systems and policies. Streamline and optimize processes to enhance efficiency and reduce faculty/staff effort, identifying and implementing cost-saving measures for resource optimization.

Human Resources (20%): Oversees processes to ensure that College’s programs and units are receiving HR services as needed. Implement systems, routines and processes in place that foster a positive and inclusive work environment for both direct reports and the College, with the goal of improving retention, effectiveness and job satisfaction. Partner with the colleagues in the central Human Resources Office on talent acquisition, annual merit cycles, development and retention of talent, performance evaluations, and complex employee relations. Collaborate with the Dean on organizational and compensation structures and modify as needed, as well as faculty searches. Works with the Faculty Affairs team in the Office of the Provost on faculty recruitment and appointments and ensures that the processing of faculty personnel actions including appointments, reappointment, leave of absence, and sabbaticals are completed in a timely manner.

Operations (20%): Act as a leader for the operational and administrative staff in the College and analyze operational needs, creating new or revised systems and structures to accommodate shifting demands. Maintain information on space assignments and space requirements; make recommendations to the Dean regarding space allocations; review space and work with faculty in analyzing and planning for new research/lab/other space and office needs. Lead the development and implementation of the College’s Operations Manual, identifying and assessing mitigation strategies for operational risks, including updating the College Emergency Plan annually. Serve as the primary point of contact for Office of Capital Planning and Projects to execute space renovations and long-term capital project management. Partner with College’s Director of Facilities to resolve building and maintenance issues. Partner with the College’s Director of Technology to ensure the College’s technical support needs are being met and new technologies are evaluated to determine if they would enhance the academic mission or efficiency of the College’s operations.

Skills

Master’s degree and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Significant relevant experience, (typically ten or more years) including financial and operational leadership responsibilities in a college or university, or comparably complex environment.
Significant business and financial acumen, including financial modeling, reporting, and analytical skills.
Proven leadership skills with significant people and project management experience. Previous managerial or supervisory experience.
Broad experience delivering exemplary HR services within complex organizations.
Ability to develop, direct, and report on budgets to support responsible resource allocation and management.
Ability to synthesize and present information/data to facilitate effective decision-making.
Demonstrated commitment to working with a diverse population of faculty, students, and staff, as well as a commitment to professionalism with a customer service focus.
Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
Demonstrated experience in organization analysis and strategic planning and commitment to continuous improvement.
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills are required to succeed in this role.

Desired Competencies

Demonstrated decision making, analytical, and project management skills. High level of diplomacy, discretion, and problem-solving skills required. The ability to maintain confidentiality is essential.
Demonstrated experience managing complex business systems. Experience managing SAP business systems is desirable.
Demonstrated competence and knowledge of human resources practices, policies, and procedures.
Demonstrated knowledge of fund accounting principles. Facility with data analysis. Comfort using data to help guide decision-making.
Capacity to manage complex operational priorities including the development of strategies, which integrate plans and objectives of several programs, services, and activities across departments.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.