Chief Business Officer

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Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community.

Description

The Chief Business Officer (CBO) for Emory Law provides overall administrative, financial, and strategic direction, in collaboration with the Dean and consistent with the mission and strategic goals of the Law School, for the budgetary, fiscal and administrative affairs of the Law School. Reporting jointly to the Dean of Emory Law, the Senior Vice President for Finance and Treasury and CFO, and the Senior Vice Provost for Strategic Finance and Resource Planning, the CBO provides oversight for the administrative functions, including budget and fiscal operations, accreditation functions, human resources, information technology, institutional research, facilities and financial and operations planning. The CBO is responsible for effective planning, administering, monitoring, and controlling overall financial plans, policies, and programs. The CBO takes a leadership role in planning, developing, and preparing the annual operating and personnel plan/budget proposal for the school, in collaboration with the Dean and consistent with the mission and strategic goals of the Law School, and collaborates with the Dean and academic leadership team in the creation of faculty hiring plans.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Financial Oversight:

• Directs school-wide planning and response to the demands, costs, services, technology, regulations, and fiscal interests throughout the school while protecting assets and ensuring budgetary viability.
• Oversees all fiscal operations for the overall financial activities of the school.
• Develops budget reports by gathering, reviewing, verifying, and consolidating financial and statistical data.
• Advises the Dean on matters associated with financial and business operations to include accreditation requirements, as well as oversight of the rankings metrics and affiliated plans to improve rankings. 

Financial Management & Compliance:

• Plans, administers, and monitors the financial policies and procedures, business-related functions, and budgeting processes supporting the operations of the school, and for planning and managing budgetary activities for the school.
• Executes financial and accounting policies of the University within the school.
• Develops and proposes financial metrics and benchmarks to monitor and advance the financial strength of the school.
• Finalizes budgets, conducts feasibility analyses, drafts business processes, and performs comprehensive operational assessments of business units.
• Implements and maintains effective internal controls for fiscal activities throughout the school.
• Oversee and have responsibility for the prevention of fraud, abuse, or financial conflict of interests within the school.
• Communicates pertinent University-defined accounting structure, policies, procedures, and other financial developments to the school.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Collaborates with the Office of the Provost and with financial and operational colleagues throughout Emory University.
• Responds in a thorough and timely way to requests from university partners. Supports university-wide initiatives and represents the Law School on university-wide committees.
• Advances the University's mission and the priorities of the school in ways that are consistent with the University's policies and in accordance with its institutional fiduciary responsibilities.

Operational Oversight:

• Provides leadership and participates in long-range financial planning, trend analyses, and budgeting.
• Advocates for and leads change and improvement efforts within the school related to business operations to ensure that operations are efficient, effective, and compliant.
• Oversees the facilities planning, development, management activities, and initiatives.
• Ensures facilities planning is consistent and in alignment with strategic priorities, operational and fiscal needs, and program objectives.
• Provides oversight of the Human Resources, Information Technology, and Institutional Research departments to ensure departments comply with University best practices in their service to the school of law.
• Serves as a liaison to the University's Risk Management office and actively participates in the Emory Financial Network.
• Participates in the strategic planning process and the development of operational policies and procedures.

Personnel Management:

• Hires, supervises, trains, and evaluates staff.
• Oversees, coordinates, and manages special projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree and ten years of experience in business operations, finance, accounting, budgeting, or related field.
• Preferably a minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in financial planning and analysis.
• Experience in a higher education or a similarly complex, mission-driven organization strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and lead a diverse team.
• Exceptional analytical skills, logical approaches to problem-solving.
• Ability to multitask and manage time efficiently and effectively.
• Professional communication skills, sound judgement, and a desire and ability to take initiative, while successfully contributing to a collegial group environment.
• Exhibit strong interpersonal skills (e.g.: integrity trust, diplomacy, negotiation skills).
• Foster an environment of mutual trust, including personal credibility and trust among stakeholders.
• Mastery of key business and financial concepts and tools (e.g., budgets, operating expenses, capital expenses, financial statements, Microsoft Excel, and other Tableau-like products).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION:

• Project/program management certification (e.g., Six Sigma) or other professional accreditation such as FP&A, CFA, CPA, Data Analytics, or similar.
• Experience leading impactful strategic initiatives with multiple stakeholders to improve operating and financial performance.

To Apply:

• Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The anticipated first review date is September 15.
• Cover Letter
  • We acknowledge that it takes time to complete a cover letter. We do use the cover letter in our hiring process to evaluate communication skills. 
  • Providing a cover letter detailing how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications as well as why you are interested in working at Emory Law will allow us to move you through the process without asking for a specific writing sample later in the process.
  • While a cover letter is not required to apply, we do encourage you to submit one with your application to save time later in the process.

NOTE: Position tasks are generally required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location.  Remote work from home day options may be granted at department discretion. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.

Additional Details

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).

Emory University is committed to ensuring equal access and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to seek a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at [email protected] or call 404-727-9877 (Voice) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). We kindly ask that requests be made at least seven business days in advance to allow adequate time for coordination.