Associate Director of Finance

This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite), subject to operational need. Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

About Us

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability (SDSS) strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, and to creating solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

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The Dean’s Office Finance team is responsible for providing leadership, guidance and oversight of financial operations within SDSS. In its inaugural year (2022-2023), the SDSS operates on a consolidated budget of approximately $160M, which is expected to grow substantially over the coming decade as the school moves toward fulfilling its long-range plan and mission.

SDSS seeks an Associate Director of Finance to help lead the Dean’s Office Finance team. Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Associate Director leads a team of analysts in providing ongoing budget and financial management support to 5 SDSS departments, 3 interdisciplinary degree programs, two policy institutes, the Sustainability Accelerator, and Dean’s Office administrative functions. They will lead the booked budget and year end close processes, and function as a key contributor to the production of other major annual budget deliverables.

Your Responsibilities will include:

• Supervise a team of financial analysts. Establish operational objectives; determine work assignments; provide training, coaching, mentoring; manage performance.
• In partnership with Director of Finance, lead the development, communication, and execution of operational budgets. Direct business operations and administrative functions.
• Provide cyclical and ongoing support to SDSS units in budget development and monitoring. Design, produce and maintain internal templates. Develop and communicate an annual calendar Coordinate and provide budget system(s) training. Contribute to assembling the SDSS consolidated budget and explaining variances.
• Engage in organizational and process reviews to improve workflow and internal control. Gain in-dept knowledge of financial operations of merging units. Contribute to formulating policies and procedures to achieve effective alignment.
• Engage in continuous critical analysis of existing systems and processes; identify gaps; develop, research, and propose solutions. Champion and implement process redesign and innovation projects.
• Liaise with External Relations and Stewardship on donor reporting.
• Identify and resolve compliance issues; partner to design and establish appropriate programs to provide a robust system of internal controls to protect and steward university resources.
• Partner to perform complex, comprehensive analyses and modeling to support strategic decision making.
• Partner with external colleagues on inter-unit financial activities; track funding commitments; enable funds flow on interunit funding commitments,
• disseminate and interpret fiscal management policies and updates.
• Represent SDSS at university level and to external constituencies. Participate in university wide projects and initiatives. Identify and contribute to resolving strategic problems that have potential university wide impact.

* – The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

To be successful in this position, you will need:

Education & Experience:

Master’s degree and six years relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• User knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Advanced knowledge of Oracle or other business financial systems
• Advanced understanding of financial principles.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills
• Ability to clearly and effectively present information to internal and external audiences, client groups and all levels of management.
• Strong analytical skills to review and analyze complex financial information.
• Strong leadership and management skills with previous experience managing people, delegating workload and providing direction/corrections as necessary.
• Knowledge of property management requirements related to Stanford or non-Stanford title of equipment and fabrications.
• Demonstrated competency in project management of a high volume of work, some of which is cyclical.
• If managing sponsored projects, ability to manage post and pre award administration for sponsored projects within his/her unit. Knowledge and fluency of governmental regulations and Cardinal Curriculum level I and II.
• Knowledge of procurement needs, including sole-sourcing, cost analyses, vendor requirements, and small business reporting.
• Experience working successfully with PIs, their administrative staff, the office of sponsored research and external sponsors.
• Demonstrated success in performing meticulous, high quality and compliant work.
• Ability to interpret complex research and fiscal policies, assimilate information from a wide range of resources and act like a mentor and resource to others.

Certifications and Licenses:

None

In addition, our preferred requirements include:

• Advanced knowledge of Tidemark budget system
• Experience partnering successfully with decentralized administrative staff.

* – Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

How to Apply

We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the “Apply for Job” button.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Stanford welcomes applications from all who would bring additional dimensions to the University’s research, teaching and clinical missions.