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University of California, Berkeley · 1 day ago

Director of Finance & Divisional Finance Lead (0216U), Graduate Division Ops - #83630

Berkeley, CA

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

$135K/yr - $160K/yr

The University of California, Berkeley is a world-leading institution dedicated to academic and research excellence. The Director of Finance serves as the Graduate Division’s functional financial manager, overseeing advanced analysis, forecasting, and resource planning for a complex budget, while providing guidance on policy and budget strategy.

Higher Education

Growth Opportunities

No H1B

Responsibilities

Acts as the lead for all Graduate Division financial operations, directly performing advanced analysis, forecasting, modeling, budgeting, and reporting for a $100M+ portfolio

In partnership with the Chief Administrative Officer, executes high-level financial activities such as complex fund modeling, staffing commitment analysis, multi-year salary and FTE forecasting, and strategic planning

Develops, implements, and oversees financial systems, tools, processes, and reporting frameworks

Ensures that financial operations meet Controller’s Office deadlines, maintain compliance, and align with internal controls

Provides functional direction and guidance to staff, ensuring consistent practices, accurate reporting, and adherence to university policies

Presents complex financial data, models, and multi-year projections to division leadership, translating analysis into clear recommendations that directly inform the Division’s strategic direction, resource allocation decisions, and long-term planning

Performs hands-on highly complex analytical studies, including scenario modeling, multi-year planning, variance analysis, and resource forecasting

Designs and maintains advanced financial models that integrate salary budgets, faculty start-up and retention commitments, enrollment trends, and academic policies

Builds the annual operating budget and forecast in CalPlanning; performs quarterly variance analysis and updates projections throughout the year

Generates and refines financial reports, dashboards, and decision-support tools used by leadership to guide long-term strategic priorities

Serves as the Division’s subject matter expert on university financial policies, budget rules, resource allocation principles, and internal controls

Develops and recommends internal procedures and policy improvements to strengthen financial stewardship

Ensures compliance with campus and systemwide policies, conducting analysis and advising leadership on risks, opportunities, and policy impacts

Provides functional leadership by training staff, faculty, managers, and new hires on financial systems, processes, and policy application

Assesses training needs, develops tools and resources, and standardizes financial practices across the Division

Communicates policy updates, compliance requirements, financial processes, and the overall divisional fiscal status clearly to ensure transparency and consistency

Liaises with internal and external stakeholders, representing the Division in financial discussions and maintaining strong collaborative relationships

Supervises 2 finance staff while continuing to perform high-level analytical and strategic work

Participates in Graduate Division staff meetings, retreats and professional development

Other duties as determined by the supervisor

Qualification

Financial analysisBudget managementFinancial reportingPolicy complianceAdvanced degreeInterpersonal skillsOrganizational skillsTeam collaborationCritical thinking

Required

Expert knowledge of finance policies, practices, and systems, and ability to communicate those to a variety of stakeholders with different levels of understanding of financial policies and systems

Ability to identify, collect, analyze, and report on complex data in an ever-changing environment

Expert ability to effectively communicate complex information to management both verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner, and adjust to changing economic conditions

In depth ability to use organizational skills to multi-task in a high-volume environment

Ability to adapt to changing priorities

Ability to function as a member of a team, and train new team members and managers

Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training

Expert interpersonal and consultative skills requiring organizational savvy; expert service orientation and critical thinking skills; attention to detail

Expert ability using organizational skills to multi-task in a high volume environment

Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training