Assistant Director, Finance and Administration

$112,000 - $140,000/Yr

University of Maryland - College Park, MD

Full-time - Mid Level

College Park, MD

Educational Services

About the position

The Assistant Director of Finance and Administration at the Earth Systems Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC) plays a crucial role in planning and managing the business and financial activities of the center. This position is responsible for supervising all research activities, which include both pre-award and post-award management. The Assistant Director will provide leadership in research by promoting and facilitating innovative research opportunities while managing departmental operations such as procurement, financial processing, payroll activities related to research, travel approvals, and inventory management. The incumbent will work closely with the Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) to oversee the budget for ESSIC, ensuring that all financial matters are communicated effectively to the DFA and the ESSIC Director. In addition to managing the financial aspects, the Assistant Director will be responsible for maintaining grants and contracts in good standing, coordinating accounting records for sponsored awards, and serving as the primary reference for federal regulations and campus corporate services that support sponsored programs. The role also involves overseeing the financial transactions of ESSIC during audits and ensuring compliance with established business practices and procedures. The Assistant Director will lead departmental operations by overseeing the requisition and procurement of supplies and equipment, supervising business office personnel, and providing mentorship. This includes preparing and administering annual performance reviews for staff members and fostering working relationships with various units across the campus and with external collaborators. The position also entails reviewing contracts and grants status monthly, projecting financial progress on numerous contracts and grants, and communicating with Principal Investigators (PIs) for forecasting plans. The Assistant Director will oversee corporate credit card expenditures, travel activities, and inventory management, ensuring that all financial operations align with the strategic goals of ESSIC.

Responsibilities

• Manage Earth Systems Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC) department business processes and improvements, including internal policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, operational excellence, efficiency, consistency and compliance.
• Prepare, communicate and present critical financial matters to the DFA and ESSIC Director.
• Maintain grants and contracts in good standing.
• Coordinate all accounting records in sponsored awards.
• Serve as the primary reference pertaining to federal regulations and other campus corporate services in support of sponsored programs.
• Oversee the budget for, and implications of contracts and grants between ESSIC and government agencies, such as NASA, NSF, USDA and NOAA.
• Establish business practices, processes and procedures, maintaining adherence and compliance.
• Oversee the financial transactions of ESSIC to auditors.
• Oversee the requisition/procurement of departmental and research supplies and equipment.
• Supervise business office personnel and provide administrative leadership and mentorship.
• Prepare and administer annual performance reviews for 5 staff members.
• Improve/innovate procedures and processes.
• Maintain working relationships with various units across campus as well as with external collaborators.
• Review contracts and grants status with the Research & Proposal Coordinator on a monthly basis.
• Project financial progress on approximately 95 contracts and grants on a monthly basis.
• Communicate with PIs for forecasting plans.
• Review payroll arrangements on research accounts and inform Payroll Coordinator for processing payroll on a monthly basis.
• Oversee all corporate credit cards expenditures.
• Review and approve all travel activities.
• Oversee inventory management and reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited College or University.
• 7 years of professional experience in financial, budget, grant, contract or business operations management.
• Two years of experience leading, supervising or managing professional staff.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of accounting, budget planning and financial forecasting.
• Working knowledge of grants and contract administration.
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to multi-task and manage deadlines.

Nice-to-haves

• Ability to analyze situations, develop strategic plans and ensure successful and efficient implementation of such plans.
• Ability to select, train and motivate staff.
• Ability to effectively interact with campus, system, state and federal officials.
• Must possess outstanding written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with KFS PHR, and BA4 is required.

Benefits

• Salary range $112,000-$140,000.