Job description

Job Number: PC00193

Conducted under the auspices of the Dominican Friars, Providence College is a Catholic, Dominican, liberal arts institution of higher education and a community committed to academic excellence in pursuit of the truth, growth in virtue, and service of God and neighbor. We seek candidates who can affirm and contribute to our mission.

Providence College is also an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a Beloved Community– an environment that reflects the rich diversity of the human family and is marked by justice, charity and the promotion of the common good and flourishing of all. We invite applications from qualified individuals who possess the experience, knowledge and commitment to develop the diverse learning environment envisioned as part of the Beloved Community. Women and minority candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The College’s Non-Discrimination policy can be found here (Download PDF reader).

Overview

Work closely with Financial Services and the Provost to help manage the Academic Affairs budget, including endowments and restricted funds. Ensure fiscal integrity through application of best practices in compliance, contracts, and project management. Help achieve greater efficiency and streamline academic processes to enhance sustainability and achieve alignment between resources and strategy. Track margins in growth programs, train academic leaders such as chairs and deans, to ensure enhanced sustainability and efficiency. Work with Human Resources to ensure position planning/position control, overall workforce management/analysis.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Enhance strategic alignment by working with the provost to ensure that financial priorities align with academic strategy. Perform analyses and develop projects that help turn strategic goals into actions that are resourced. Balance mission-driven and excellence enhancing priorities with financial sustainability. (30%)
2. Enhance efficiency in academic operations by working with the provost to set policy and monitor issues such as course enrollments, faculty course reductions, and stipends. Ensure compliance with best practices in spending, oversight of operational and instructional budgets, start-up costs, spending of indirect and endowed funds, etc. Ensure data-driven decision making and fiscal responsibility in issues such as faculty and staff hiring. (25%)
3. Advance the ability of academic affairs to engage in long-term forecasting, planning scenarios, and projecting costs and revenues. Assist provost in creating accurate pro formas for growth programs and monitor costs and margins for these programs. Assist the provost in understanding costs and margins for existing programs to lower costs and enhance margins. (20%)
4. Provide financial leadership and training to academic leadership and academic units. Work collaboratively with deans, chairs, and program directors to help them manage their academic resources in line with college-wide priorities as well as their own priorities. Provide training to academic leadership to ensure they are following best practices in setting controls on spending and pro card use, use of endowed and restricted funds, etc. (10%)
5. In conjunction with the provost, the Division of Finance and Business, and other academic leaders work in support and analysis for the strategic oversight for financial operations of the Division of Academic Affairs and develop proposed annual and multi-year operating plans, that support the Academic Affairs Strategic Plan. (10%)
6. Communicate financial information, constraints, and appropriate data that helps shape decision making around setting of priorities in Academic Affairs to various constituencies, including deans, faculty senate, faculty, etc. (5%)

MARGINAL DUTIES:

1. Perform all other duties as may be required.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in finance accounting, or MBA from an accredited institution required. CPA preferred.
• Five to seven years’ experience in higher education administration or financial roles or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Advanced Banner, Excel and financial systems experience.
• Intermediate procurement and contractual experience.
• Ability to manage sensitive information.
• Ability to translate complex financial information.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to build effective partnerships and collaborate across units.
• Excellent written and verbal communication/presentation skills.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time
• Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction
• Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard
• Communication skills using the spoken word
• Ability to see within normal parameters
• Ability to hear within normal range
• Ability to move about

How to apply

Apply now

DISCLAIMER: This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.