Director, Business Affairs, Academic Affairs Division

Director, Business Affairs, Academic Affairs Division

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Director, Business Affairs, Academic Affairs Division at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Essential Functions (Job Duties)

Plans and manages the day-to-day financial, operational, and administrative activities of advanced complexity for the Strategic Enrollment and Educational Outreach units and the Strategic Operations and Academic Communication units within the Academic Affairs division of the University. Collaborates with representatives of other University departments to accommodate needs, generate support and ensure effectiveness of these units to support the mission of the division. Reports directly to the Assistant Vice President for Academic Business Affairs with a dotted reporting to the Vice Provost/Assistant Vice President for the units.

Financial and Budget Management – 50% of the Time

• Plan, direct, and maintain all unit budgets in accordance with allocation provisions, budget policies and regulations for all fund types including revenues, scholarships, endowment funds and sponsored programs; collaborate with management to develop or assist with the development of short- and long-range strategic financial plans.
• Provide consultive oversight of the WDET and University Press auxiliary units which report to the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Operations and Academic Communications. Work with and mentor the business affairs personnel who are supporting the daily operations of these auxiliary units.
• Maintain internal control systems to ensure integrity of financial transactions and to prevent errors, omissions, and possible fraudulent activity.
• Prepare projections or forecasts of expenses in comparison to budget categories/line items to avoid deficits, optimize use of available funds, and adhere to approved budget parameters. Use systems to analyze, interpret and report on data; develop and/or generate ad-hoc reports for management and/or sponsoring agencies.
• Provide financial reporting information to assist management in their planning and decision making; develop detailed statistical analyses and reports outlining fiscal activities. Develop action plans, establish timelines and metrics, create reports and presentations, evaluate outcomes, benchmark against peers and implement changes.
• Assure School/College/Division compliance with university policies and procedures and those of sponsoring agencies.
• Manage and review the procurement or purchasing processes for the School/College/Division.
• As applicable, manage the financial and budgetary aspects of the grant award functions, both pre and post, including the development and review of specific budgets and knowledge of the funding process as well as the administrative implementation of the financial, budgetary, and projection of expenditures.

Human Resource Management – 30% of the Time

• Establish staffing plans to meet operational mission and objectives.
• Coordinate personnel operations, programs, and procedures with central Human Resource personnel. Oversee performance management, recruiting, merit and salary planning, transaction management, unit communications, FMLA, employee relations, employee training, development, and reporting.
• Manage, authorize, and oversee all personnel and payroll related processes and transactions (including Electronic Personnel Action Forms (EPAF)) in a timely manner; ensure adherence to approved budget lines.
• Reconcile Human Resource System data to Financial Management System data.
• Use systems to analyze, interpret and report on data; develop and/or generate ad-hoc reports for management.
• Provide guidance to Unit related to labor agreements and Administrative Policies and Procedures.
• Proactively address employee relations issues with HR, Academic Personnel, Labor Relations, and Unit leaders.
• Provide human resource information for area(s) of responsibility to assist management in their planning and decision making; develop detailed analyses and reports outlining human resource activities.

General Administration – 15% of the Time

• Plan and direct the business affairs activities of direct report(s) and unit support staff: recruit, hire, train, direct daily activities, discipline and develop the staff to ensure accurate and timely service delivery and all transactions within the administrative operations are performed in compliance with university policy and procedure.
• Provide leadership and training to responsible area in financial or budgetary matters.
• Attend or serve on university committees or task forces; identify areas in which policies and procedures need to be clarified or updated.
• Participate in special projects, as requested, which may impact the University at large.
• Responsible for other administrative functions such as building/facilities management, contract management, information technology and/or inventory control.

Other Duties – 5% of the Time

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Job Context

Job Reports to: Vice President/AVP/Dean

Leadership Accountability: Develops strategic plans and interprets policy

Supervisory Accountability: Supervises professionals and non‑managers

Organizational Accountability: Manages work group within a sub‑unit of a department

Financial Accountability: Manages operating budget

Customer Accountability: Interfaces with customers outside the S/C/D

Freedom to Act: Operates with significant autonomy

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting or finance or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience

• Minimum of seven years of financial, budget, and supervisory experience, preferably in higher education or a large/complex organization.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Business Acumen: Understanding of administrative systems, preferably in a higher education environment. Demonstrates an understanding of School/College/Division business operations or equivalent professional experience in a non‑university organization.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze and evaluate large volumes of data.
• Problem Solving Skills: Analyzes potential actions, identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.
• Leadership Skills: Provides leadership and training to responsible area(s) regarding financial, budgetary, human resources and administrative matters.
• Organizational Agility: Uses strategic approaches in decision making; collaborates effectively with Dean/VP/Unit Head to accomplish mission and goals.
• Teamwork and Peer Relationships: Works independently while establishing effective working relationships with constituents; serves on university committees and task forces.
• Planning/Project Management: Shifts priorities and multitasks on various projects; accurately scopes tasks, estimates time and resource requirements.
• Customer Focus: Dedicated to meeting expectations of internal and external customers; resolves customer issues promptly.
• Personal Credibility: Maintains high ethical standards, respects confidentiality, interprets policies and regulations to ensure compliance.
• Communication Skills: Expresses oneself clearly and concisely in written and oral communication, including presentations to university management and committees.

Preferred Qualifications

School/College/Division: H32 - Provost & VP Academic Affairs

Primary Department: H3201 - VP Academic Affairs (H3201)

Employment Type

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Executive

Funding/Salary Information

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Hourly rate:
• Salary minimum:
• Salary hire maximum:

Working Conditions

Normal office environment.

Job Openings

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No
• Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
• Prior posting/requisition number:

Background Check Requirements

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.

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