Assistant Director of Finance, University Services Finance
Overview
University Services focuses on providing high-quality, integrated services to the University community. The departments of Campus Dining, Campus Support Services (AV Services, Performing Arts Services, Venue Services), Conference and Event Services, Housing and Real Estate Services, Mail Services, The Service Point (integrated customer service center), Talent and Organizational Development, Trademark Licensing, Transportation and Parking Services (which includes the fleet program), and University Services Administration (which includes Business Services, Finance, and Information Technology) are housed within University Services.
University Services employs over 500 staff and has annual revenue and expense operating budgets of approximately $140 million and $80 million, respectively. These budgets are diverse and complex, with some departments using a cost recovery model and the remainder being funded from general fund allocations. Reporting to the Director of Finance, University Services, the Assistant Director of Finance provides leadership and direction to several departments in University Services finance.
This position is responsible for planning, managing, and overseeing departmental financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, revenue management, and selected capital planning activities. The Assistant Director serves as a strategic financial partner to operational leadership, providing analysis, recommendations, and decision support to advance departmental and University objectives. The role partners closely with operational leaders to understand the operations, ensuring financial strategies and recommendations align with operational priorities and support effective decision-making.
The Assistant Director serves as a liaison to the Facilities Business Office, the Finance and Treasury Budget Office, and the Provost’s Office, and is a key contact for financial information systems for operational departments. The Assistant Director may supervise financial analysts, coordinators, and other staff and is responsible for fostering professional development and ensuring the effective execution of financial operations.
The Assistant Director has solid line reporting responsibility to the Director of Finance, University Services.
A cover letter is required for full consideration.
Responsibilities
Financial Planning, Reporting, and Analysis
- Develop, manage, and forecast annual operating, capital, and special-purpose budgets, ensuring alignment with departmental priorities, University objectives, and diverse business models, including outsourced and third-party service providers.
- Serve as a strategic financial partner to departmental leadership by providing financial analysis, forecasting, modeling, and decision-support recommendations to support operational, strategic, and organizational initiatives.
- Manage revenue-generating activities, including invoicing, accounts receivable, revenue reconciliation, forecasting, and analysis of rates, pricing strategies, utilization trends, and revenue enhancement opportunities.
- Ensure accurate accounting and financial management of revenues, expenses, capital investments, and non-operating funds through reconciliations, journal entries, balance sheet reviews, and oversight of interdepartmental transactions.
- Oversee procurement and contract-related financial activities, including purchase orders, requisitions, vendor payments, sole-source justifications, contract review, competitive bidding, and RFP processes in accordance with University policies.
- Collaborate with the Budget Office and other central administrative partners to ensure accurate budget development, reporting, and financial system integration.
- Monitor departmental financial performance, including budget-to-actual results, labor expenditures, staffing impacts, and key financial trends, and recommend corrective actions when needed.
- Support capital planning initiatives by evaluating the financial impact of capital investments and ensuring related operating costs are incorporated into long-term financial planning.
- Review and approve payroll, labor accounting, procurement, and credit card transactions to ensure compliance with University policies and financial controls.
Financial Systems, Data Analytics, Compliance, and Process Improvement
- Serve as the primary business lead and subject matter expert for University financial systems and related departmental applications, ensuring data integrity, system effectiveness, appropriate access, training, and reporting capabilities.
- Develop and maintain financial reports, dashboards, key performance indicators, and analytical tools that enhance visibility into operational and financial performance and support informed decision-making.
- Lead efforts to improve business processes, internal controls, and operational efficiencies through process redesign, automation, data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and other emerging technologies.
- Actively contribute to University Services data governance and analytics initiatives by identifying, analyzing, and communicating meaningful business and operational metrics.
- Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and process documentation to promote compliance, consistency, accountability, and effective business operations.
- Ensure compliance with University policies, financial management requirements, audit standards, and applicable regulations.
Leadership and Staff Development
- Supervise, mentor, and develop finance staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, customer service, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
- Establish performance expectations, provide coaching and feedback, conduct performance evaluations, and support employee development and succession planning.
- Build strong partnerships with operational leaders and senior administrators to advance departmental objectives and support organizational decision-making.
- Present financial analyses, recommendations, and business insights to University Services leadership and other stakeholders.
Other duties as assigned
- Lead special projects and/or participate in committees for University Services, as assigned.
- Other duties, as assigned.
Contacts
The Assistant Director will have continuous contact and collaboration with:
- Office of the Vice President
- Directors and managers across University Services departments
- Staff in operational departments
- University Services Finance Staff
- Finance and Treasury Staff, including the Budget Office, Student Accounts and Purchasing
- Provost Office
- Third Party Management and Service Provider Companies
- Department of Facilities
- Office of Audit and Compliance
Qualifications
Essential Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible professional experience.
- Seven to nine years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, financial modeling, and strategic planning in support of organizational and operational objectives.
- Strong analytical, quantitative, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to synthesize complex financial and operational data into actionable recommendations.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial information effectively to both financial and non-financial audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships and effectively partner with leaders, managers, and key stakeholders across the organization.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, competing deadlines, and complex projects while adapting effectively to a dynamic and evolving environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while fostering collaboration across diverse teams and functional areas.
- Experience developing and implementing business processes, internal controls, workflow improvements, and operational efficiencies.
- Advanced proficiency with financial management systems, Microsoft Office suite including Microsoft Excel, reporting tools, and enterprise business applications, including experience leveraging data analytics, automation, and business intelligence tools to support financial analysis, reporting, and operational effectiveness.
- Demonstrated commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, confidentiality, professional ethics, and fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience in higher education administration.
- Experience preparing, analyzing, and interpreting complex financial information to support operational, auxiliary, administrative, or service-oriented organizations.
- Experience working with complex financial and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, such as PRIME, Oracle, Workday, or similar platforms.
- Demonstrated ability to support long-term financial planning, budgeting, and resource allocation to ensure organizational resources are deployed effectively and efficiently.
- Experience using data analysis, reporting, visualization, and business intelligence tools to support decision-making and operational improvement.
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Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.
If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.
The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.