Director of Finance and Administration

Job Description Summary

The University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) is a leading land-grant institution that provides teaching, research, and programs through the University of Maryland Extension (UME) to broad clientele in the State of Maryland and beyond. UME provides non-credit research-based educational programs and conducts applied research with a $23 million budget and around 290 employees in over 30 offices around the state.

UME seeks a Director of Finance and Administration to oversee and guide departmental financial, administrative, personnel management functions, and IT staff. This position supports UME’s vision, mission, program priorities, and statewide operations while ensuring the implementation of university, college, and departmental policies and procedures. The director reports to the Associate Dean/Associate Director and oversees business manager and coordinators, IT coordinators, and related staff while serving as a resource for UME senior administrators, area/city extension directors, and directors/coordinators in fiscal management, HR management, and other administrative services. The Director of Finance and Administration is a member of UME’s leadership team.

The Director will provide strategic financial guidance and leadership, working on crucial tasks such as financial analysis, reporting, budget creation, forecasting, long-term strategic financial planning, expense tracking, compliance, and internal control functions. The director advises the Associate Dean and senior admin team concerning administrative services, personnel, departmental, college, and university policies, fiscal matters, and budgets. This position will manage financial operations with business managers and staff; oversee pre-award and post-award management; manage department IT coordinators and resources; oversee personnel-related functions; and support AED/CEDs in financial allocation, management, and planning at county/city offices.

The position works closely with college-level finance, grant management, Human Resources, and Compliance offices, and serves as a liaison between the college and university units on behalf of UME in fiscal, personnel management, and adherence to administrative procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:

Provide accountability for the department through the budget management and timely reconciliation of all financial accounts (e.g., federal, state, county, agency accounts, Extension Advisory Councils accounts,

foundation, and sponsored programs). Manage UME's day-to-day business operations and administration, such as fiscal operations, fund management, procurement, inventory, and fiscal operations, in collaboration with business managers, coordinators, and other staff. Directly supervise business manager and coordinators and provide indirect leadership for business managers, business management specialists, and other related staff within the department. Assure compliance with fiscal procedures and regulations. Serve as a liaison between the college and university on behalf of the UME in fiscal and personnel management. Additionally, the Director of Finance is responsible for sharing UME’s funds related to the land grand mission.

Oversee direct management and administration of federal, state, and local funds (23 counties and Baltimore city) for all field-based units, including UME personnel stationed at Research and Education Centers.
Support AEDs, and the Baltimore City Extension Director in budget preparation, proposals, justification, funds management, and long-term financial planning.

Responsible for strategic financial guidance and leadership, working on crucial tasks such as financial analysis, reporting (trend data or other required reporting), budgeting, forecasting, long-term planning, expense tracking, exploring new opportunities, compliance, and internal control functions.

Assist in developing policies and procedures for UME and execute effective communications about policies and procedures across the organization. Manage financial and administrative systems as required. Establish relationship with the Assistant Dean and coordinate physical presence in county and city government.

Provide departmental management of the contract and grant proposal submission process for the faculty. Manage the department staff for the submission process with AGNR AgPAS, develop budget and budget models, oversee the post-award management process, and prepare reports. Oversee the post-award process at the department level and create systems and processes for tracking, projecting, and growing contracts/grants activities for business managers, coordinators, business management specialists, and other field staff.

Manage department IT coordinators and resources; oversee personnel-related functions in collaboration with the Associate Dean, Senior Admin Team, and AED/CEDs. Coordinate with AED/CEDs on local facilities and maintenance of offices and space.


PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of the time; Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer; Capable of exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects; Substantial repetitive movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers from computer entry work.; Must have visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; Must be able to maneuver around the campus to attend meetings and pick up time-sensitive items from other departments. Must be able to travel statewide for meetings and training in county offices or research and education centers.


PREFERENCES:
A master’s degree is preferred. One of the degrees must be in Business, Finance, or a related field.

Experience and Skills:
Seven or more years of budgetary management experience in a progressively responsible position(s) with outstanding leadership, management, and organizational skills; Minimum of three years’ supervisory experience; Demonstrable financial experience with preparing detailed financial analysis, managing complex data and long-term budget projections; Strong working knowledge of university accounting and internal organizations, financial policies and procedures; Demonstrable experience of federal regulations regarding fiscal management of federal funds (Uniform Guidance) and federal acquisition regulations; Excellent computer skills and business application software; The ability to assist with the development of potential solutions or policies to address financial and administrative issues; Ability to train and instruct business, and other staff on fiscal policies, procedures, and compliance. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills. Confidentiality skills for handling sensitive information and adaptability skills for managing change and unpredictability.

Experience in higher education with fiscal, personnel, and administrative responsibilities is preferred. Previous work experience with a Land Grant Institution is a plus. Experience in university policies, procedures, and processes is highly desired. Workday knowledge is a plus.


Licenses/ Certifications: N/A

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Ten (10) years of professional accounting or finance experience. Five (5) years of experience supervising or managing professional staff.
Knowledge of finance functions including general accounting, statistical, or financial functions.
Knowledge of business acumen to understand key business drivers, organizational communications, and data.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in data analytics and negotiation.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to research information and analyze complex data and information to create reports and presentations.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion.
Ability to develop and administer new policies and procedures.

Additional Job Details

Job Risks

Not Applicable to This Position

Financial Disclosure Required

Yes

Department

AGNR-UME-University of Maryland Extension

Worker Sub-Type

Staff Regular

Salary Range

$112,120 – $134,544

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization.  Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

Resources

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