University of Michigan · 1 day ago
Director of Financial Operations
Ann Arbor, MI
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$160K/yr - $175K/yr
8+ years expThe University of Michigan is seeking a dynamic, strategic leader to serve as the next Director of Financial Operations at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. This role involves overseeing all aspects of the school's financial operations, including budget management and fiscal health, while working closely with senior leadership to align operations with the school's academic vision.
E-LearningEducationHigher EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Advise the dean and faculty leadership on complex problems, process/policy, process improvement, faculty governance, and organizational planning
Provide strategic guidance to the dean, leadership team, and research center directors to translate the school's vision into reality
Proactively assess risk, advise, and provide decision-making support based on quantitative and qualitative data
In alignment with the dean, negotiate effectively on behalf of the school with university and outside entities
Represent the school on various standing and ad-hoc campus committees; represent the associate deans/dean as appropriate
Effectively collaborate with Development, including managing gift fund usage, reviewing and approving gift agreements, and supporting fundraising initiatives
Oversee the school's facilities and IT functions, collaborating with the team to optimize physical spaces and strengthen the technological infrastructure supporting our growth and future initiatives
Develop complex financial modeling for school initiatives and programs, leveraging cross-campus resources to advance the school's mission, and deliver clear, timely financial analyses that inform leadership's strategic decisions and resource allocation
Review and approve externally sponsored project proposals. Provide strategic guidance to research teams to ensure compliance with sponsor requirements, UM Standard Practice Guides (SPG) and departmental policies in regard to complex external funding opportunities
Liaise with the Provost's Office and Provost's Office of Budget & Planning
Manage the school's annual budget report to the provost, including narrative, financial projections, and requests for funding support
Lead the development, management, and execution of the Ford School's operating budget and present regularly to faculty and staff
Provide primary and/or backup approval for core admin systems including faculty conflict of interest and conflict of commitment (COI/COC) disclosures, grant proposal school sign-off authority
Provide primary and/or backup approval for financial transactions including journal entries, non-PO vouchers, and consultant payments
Lead and inspire high-performing business office, business intelligence, facilities, and IT teams responsible for delivering comprehensive financial and administrative support across sponsored research, finance, general accounting, data analytics, and internal controls
Provide leadership and oversight for business intelligence initiatives, ensuring data analytics are effectively leveraged to drive strategic decisions and operations
Manage and oversee Business Continuity Planning and emergency management protocols for the school
Qualification
Required
Master's degree in Business Administration, finance or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience in leading teams, both with direct and indirect reporting relationships
8+ years experience with financial management and budget preparation, including budget projections, planning in context of higher education
Experience in higher education
Preferred
Knowledge of University of Michigan financial and reporting systems, policies, and operations is strongly preferred but not required
Benefits
Generous time off
A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions
Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
Life insurance
Long-term disability coverage
Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Paid parental leave
Company
University of Michigan
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving, and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
University of Michigan has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (662)
2024 (594)
2023 (787)
2022 (473)
2021 (411)
2020 (324)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$359.75MKey Investors
Michigan Economic Development CorporationNational Institutes of HealthBreakthrough T1D
2025-07-17Grant· $1M
2025-06-07Grant· $1.17M
2025-04-23Grant
Leadership Team
Greg McGuire
Managing Director, Mcity
Robert Goodspeed
Chair, Urban and Regional Planning Program
Recent News
2025-12-19
IEEE Spectrum
2025-12-18
2025-12-17
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