Description
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Senior Manager of Finance and Operational Strategies reports to the Director of Administrative Services and works closely with the Associate Provost and Lindseth Family University Librarian (APUL) in providing financial data, advice, and support for all financial and operational strategic objectives. The senior manager provides sound, ethical, and transparent fiscal planning, financial management, and budgetary and assessment processes across the library. This position provides leadership in strategic planning and budget development by managing a process to solicit and review current and projected needs of all of the library¿s administrative units and teams. The manager has direct responsibility for overseeing the library¿s annual operating, endowment and capital budgets and develops reports and analyses of all library financials to enable library senior leadership to make data-driven decisions in support of the library¿s strategic framework and the university¿s mission. The senior manager ensures financial viability of the library by developing processes, metrics, goals, and outcomes that will support a sustainable operation to promote an exciting learning environment for faculty, students, and staff of the university.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Financial Planning and Analysis. Serve as the principal staff person responsible to administer, interpret, analyze, and facilitate the development and management of all library division budgets (Administrative Services, Collections, Research and Engagement Services, and Creation and Curation Services), and effectively and efficiently ensure that planned financial and strategic operational goals and objectives are met or exceeded. Build and maintain strategic financial models for the library¿s annual operating, endowment and capital budgets that includes sustainable processes to secure long-term financial planning. Prepare monthly, quarterly, annual, and multi-year financial forecasts and assess the adequacy of operating and capital resources including the budgets for library content, staffing, and strategic objectives to engage in discussion with senior leadership to maximize resources for library priorities. Lead the implementation of operational improvements in the areas of budgeting, forecasting, financial operations, and financial management reporting. (30%)
Work with senior leadership to plan, manage, monitor and provide advice for budgets to ensure efficient use of resources and to effectively achieve strategic priorities. Report key financial metrics to the Kelvin Smith Library leadership team. Work with the Director of Administrative Services and the leadership team to set and execute the overall planning and assessment management strategy for the Kelvin Smith Library. Lead the implementation of operational improvements in the areas of budgeting, forecasting, financial operations, and financial management reporting. (23%)
Fiscal Financial Processes. Serve as the key resource to library units and others in implementing budgeting/accounting policies and regulations and as advisor on all matters related to strategic and short- and long-range financial planning. Serve as the primary liaison with the University Controller¿s office regarding all internal charges and formulas for overhead services and work collaboratively to ensure compliance with university financial policies. Prepare monthly, quarterly, and fiscal year closings and prepare the library¿s annual financial report. Oversee accounts, contract management, and procurement services within KSL. Facilitate internal and external audit processes, as appropriate, ensuring compliance with all checks, balances, and internal controls by establishing and developing consistent processes to ensure adherence to financial metrics. Develop internal library policies and financial models to conform to university financial policies, provide information and prepare statistical analysis. (20%)
Operational Strategies, Planning and Assessment. Working with members of the administrative and HR team (Director of Administrative Services, Assessment Librarian, Director of Organizational Development and Engagement, Campus and Community Engagement Manager) as well as with senior leadership, direct and manage studies and analyses of budget information to respond to internal and external queries and provide critical management information and other analysis. Conduct organization-wide assessment of the KSL performance against its strategic framework and evaluate plans and operational performance of all teams and divisions to ensure successful operational results. Develops visualizations for financial and operational planning. (18%)
Cultivates a work environment that promotes and maintains a work culture of empathy, collaboration, and respect. (6%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Participate in related operations of the teams, such as space planning, collection building, etc. (2%)
Assist with special projects as directed. (1%)
CONTACTS
Department: Regular contact with the members of the library leadership team (Associate Provost and Lindseth Family University Librarian, Associate University Librarians, Director of Administrative Services, and Team Leaders) and library staff.
University: Regular contact with internal constituents to facilitate and promote joint action/cooperation to achieve immediate operating results (e.g., Office of Budget and Financial Planning, Controller¿s Office, Procurement, Accounts Payable).
External: Regular contact with external representatives to adjust and resolve financial issues.
Students: Occasional interactions with students for operational strategies assessment such as focus groups and engagement programs as well as oversight of financial projects for student employees.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position supervises one full-time staff ¿ KSL¿s Financial Coordinator. The incumbent must work highly collaboratively in a dynamic and team-based environment.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 5 to 8 years of finance, assessment, or other relevant experience required.
Education: Bachelor¿s degree in accounting, finance, business, or social-science related discipline is required; an advanced degree is desirable.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Proficient in budget planning, financial management, and analytical modeling, adhering to industry best practices.
Technically adept in all areas of accounting and financial management, including financial analysis and budgeting. Extensive experience with Excel is required, and familiarity with university accounting/budget systems highly preferred.
Understands endowment management strategies.
Strong knowledge of fiscal administration principles, including statistical measures and applying quantitative and qualitative analysis to operations.
Experience with data visualization software (e.g., Tableau) for presenting financial trends and strategic analyses
Skilled in conducting assessment projects, documenting data, providing improvement recommendations, analyzing procedures, simplifying workflows, and implementing changes.
Maintains strict confidentiality, attention to detail, and accuracy when working with complex financial and statistical information.
Excels working independently and as part of a team, able to assess and shift priorities in a demanding environment. Possesses strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills for sound decision-making and meeting deadlines aligned with strategic goals.
Demonstrated ability to build relationships, coordinate projects with all levels of staff, interact effectively with colleagues and customers, and present complex information to diverse audiences.
Requires excellent oral and written communication skills and proficiency with business systems.
Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
Ability to meet consistent attendance.
Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face-to-face.
WORKING CONDITIONS
General office/library environment. The employee will need to perform repetitive motion using computer mouse and keyboard to type. This position is eligible for the staff hybrid work program.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 5 to 8 years of finance, assessment, or other relevant experience required.
Education: Bachelor¿s degree in accounting, finance, business, or social-science related discipline is required; an advanced degree is desirable.
