SSHA Director of Financial Services (Hybrid) Job Listing at University of California in Merced, CA (Job ID 68336)

Description

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is $75,200- $138,400.  The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $88,000- $110,000.

Job Closing Date

Initial applicant review will begin on or around May 14th, 2024. Posting will remain open until filled.

This position is hybrid. 

About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

The Merced 2020 Project, a $1.3 billion public-private partnership unprecedented in higher education and completed in 2020, nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. UC Merced also operates the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

The university's mission of educational excellence and rigorous inquiry is powered by three schools and numerous research institutes and centers that seek scientific and social solutions for the Valley, California and the world. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced is preparing the way for a rigorous medical education program.

The course of UC Merced's evolution is piloted by a long-range strategic plan. Enacted in 2021, the 10-year blueprint is guiding how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway to earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted in each campus unit.

About the Job

Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Personnel for the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA), the Financial Services Analyst uses advanced financial services and accounting concepts to manage, coordinate, participate, and provide oversight of the daily financial operations of the SSHA and its multiple programs. This position has significant responsibility in performing work to achieve broadly stated goals as well as ensure that reporting needs are compliant with government requirements and consistent with the land-grant mission. Responsibilities include financial management of SSHA Deans operations and all relevant accounting; strategic and short and long-range planning, implementation, and coordination; gift/foundation accounts, extramural accounts, and service operations; annual reporting; developing internal controls and ensuring compliance with university and government policies such as the Hatch Act. SSHA has numerous individual departmental and faculty chart of accounts with multiple complex fund types. Manages the most complex budget/resource analysis, including retrieval of data from campus Oracle financial systems, organization and validation of data, and preparing comprehensive reports for faculty or management both orally and in writing. Maintains fiscal integrity for all funds and accounts. Ensures all funds are in an auditable/reportable condition. The Director of Finance is responsible for ensuring financial ledger reconciliation, timely financial reporting, and budget report development and analysis. Must be able to work under the pressure of constantly changing priorities, unanticipated urgent demands, and multiple tasks. Assists school management with special projects as assigned, including presentations and policy/procedure/guideline development. The Director of Finance is a key resource to SSHA financial management by providing strategic support with a strong understanding of business functions, ongoing programs, and future projects. Aids the Dean(s), Department Chairs, and senior leadership in administering and enhancing budget practices as well as resolving a range of fiscal issues in imaginative and practical ways. All assigned projects require demonstrating good judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results and partnering with internal and external contacts. The incumbent must have strong communication and organizational skills and be flexible and able to prioritize workload. Background and knowledge regarding travel and entertainment policy and procedures are highly desirable. This position will supervise school finance personnel.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for developing annual budget projections based on historical trends, complex financial planning and analysis, management of SSHA budget allocations and budget to actual analysis on all financial account types and funds related to general operations and projects; Prepares detailed monthly and ad-hoc customized budget and financial reports for the SSHA Dean, Associate Dean(s), and senior leadership; Manages high volume and complex transactions, and expenditure reconciliation process which includes detailed monthly ledgers to ensure that expenses are supported by back up documentation; responsible for the closing of accounts/funds during fiscal year-end closing. Direct fiscal management and oversight with an expectation of budgetary recommendations and ad hoc approvals in the absence of a fiscal approver. Advises and consults with Dean, Assoc Dean(s), Department Chairs and others regarding Instructional Budget / Temporary Academic Staffing Budget. 
• Responsible for providing analyses for highly complex budgetary, financial, and resource projects, often dealing directly with senior school or campus personnel; Will perform budgetary transactions in campus systems: Oracle Production and UCMPlan for annual and multi-year budgets; Prepares monthly staffing list reconciliations and provides workforce budgeting and planning for SSHA. In consultation with Senior Assistant Dean / SSHA Personnel, analyzes reconciliation of position distributions, payroll allocation summaries, preparing staffing reports, reviewing internal recruitment requests, and tracking vacancy metrics. The position will work to process staffing updates and data related to redistribution of employees based on funding available. Prepares various analyses and reports in support of the initiatives of the Dean, focusing on the most complex assignments. Such duties include but are not limited to, the preparation of year-end carry forward reports, periodic fund balance reports, periodic variance analyses, Funding Commitment Reports, Monthly Faculty Staffing Reconciliation (UCPath reports vs UCMPlan), Payroll Reconciliation (in Suspense Account), Faculty Summer Salary and Gifts and Endowments. 
• Supervises, trains staff and creates effective teamwork environment for a team of financial services analysts. Serves as a subject matter expert in finance and budgeting. Recommends changes to policies and establishes procedures that affect the functional area. Collaborates with and supports SSHA Finance team in meeting deadlines and resolves problems and inquiries related to finances, in a timely manner. 
• Interacts with higher-level management on controversial situations. May represent the SSHA Dean's Office and serve as point of contact for DFA. Formulates policies and guidelines to carry out the department's mission for faculty and students.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Business Management, Economics, or other related area and/or equivalent experience/training. (Required)
• Advanced degree from an accredited university in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Business Management, Economics, or other related area and/or equivalent experience/training. (Preferred)
• Three years of directly related, progressively responsible experience working and supervising in finance, budgeting, accounting, payroll, financial projections; or seven years of equivalent related experience/training as outlined. An advanced degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Business Management, Economics, or a related area may substitute for one year of experience; however, the candidate should possess actual work experience and possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. Required

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Advanced knowledge of financial or accounting concepts, policies and procedures, as well as related accounting and regulatory compliance requirements. 
• Advanced knowledge of organization and systemwide financial processes and procedures. 
• Advanced skills in the use of spreadsheet and database software (e.g., Excel, Oracle). 
• May require analytical skills sufficient to develop and implement financial data management and reporting systems. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across the organization at all levels. 
• May require skills in project management, leadership, and process re-design. 
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting University resources. 
• Advanced leadership skills to provide guidance, coaching and mentoring to professional and support staff. 
• Skills include service orientation, ability to multi-task effectively in a varied, high volume environment; uses sound judgment and decision making, critical thinking, creative problem solving, and effective verbal and written communication skills.

Background Check

Background check will be required.

Policy Statement

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.  

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy.  All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline.  For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment. 

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace.  Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an  Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland  Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

Employee Referral Program

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7    (on the application)               Referrals          

How did you hear about the job?               (select) “other”

Additional information?                              (select) “other”

Specific Referral Source?                          (write in) first and last name of referring employee  

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility. 

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