Director of Finance and Administration

George Mason University - Fairfax, VA

Full-time - Director

Fairfax, VA

Educational Services

About the position

The Director of Finance and Administration at George Mason University plays a crucial role in overseeing the financial, administrative, and operational functions of the Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Impact (ORIEI). This position is integral to the research leadership team, providing strategic support and leadership in budget management, grant oversight, and operational efficiency across various university institutes and initiatives. The Director will ensure compliance with university policies while fostering an environment that promotes ethical research and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates fiscal aspects of all ORIEI cores and Institutes.
• Serves as the organizational financial expert applying knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia and George Mason University policies, rules, and regulations for program business operations.
• Provides financial operations of Mason Enterprise.
• Ensures that all purchases meet budgetary guidelines and university procurement policies and are available when needed.
• Oversees preparation of business case analyses for proposed initiatives and funding requests.
• Provides quarterly organizational financial reporting on unit variances against budget and prior year, including expenses, surpluses, spending trends, etc.
• Provides financial management stewardship and oversight of internal controls, policies and procedures governing financial operations.
• Processes accounting and financial transactions including but not limited to accounts payable and receivable, funding change forms for labor distributions, receivables reporting, reconciliation, revenue/expenditure forecasting, and year-end financial closeouts.
• Exercises primary responsibility for grant and revenue funds, including tracking and assisting with grant and contract funding proposals to OSP.
• Analyzes financial performance and communicates to key stakeholders to support short and long-term strategic planning and decision-making.
• Maintains annual operating budget based on strategic plans and operational realities.
• Prepares procurement solicitations and acts as contract administrator for service contracts.
• Provides budget management in a timely and efficient manner with attention given to accuracy of detail.
• Produces regular reports of fiscal activities and provides analysis of project status.
• Coordinates fiscal aspects of all Mason Enterprise programs.
• Contributes to tasks and activities related to achievement of goals.
• Ensures compliance with state and university policies and procedures.
• Coordinates and supervises diverse administrative, financial, operational, and personnel functions.
• Provides project management reporting and oversight for new initiatives.
• Provides leadership and general direction for the procurement of facilities, maintenance, contracted services, events management.
• Serves as primary liaison to relevant Mason offices including Fiscal Services, Human Resources, Facilities, and OSP.
• Ensures compliance in anticipation of internal or external audits.
• Oversees approval of all expenditures for the organization, e.g. leases, travel forms, renovation funds, etc.
• Assures compliance with state and university policies and procedures.
• Oversees Pre and Post award administration to support the generative work of the units.
• Executes special projects and strategies that will drive the strategic plan and vision and ensure departmental goals are in alignment with the strategic plan.
• Manages the ongoing strategic planning process.
• Maintains all legal agreements with partner institutions in coordination with Mason Office of General Counsel.
• Provides administrative and operational leadership to a highly integrated team from a variety of departments.
• Ensures and evaluates compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
• Develops strong collaborative professional relationships across a variety of functions and institutional units.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent combination of education and experience, with typically 5+ years of relevant financial experience.
• Significant demonstrated progressively responsible experience in budget formulation and execution, financial analysis and reporting, and all aspects of human resource management in an academic environment.
• Experience in successfully leading special project implementations and completing special assignments.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating and supervising administrative, financial, operational and personnel management functions.
• Accounting and financial management experience, including analysis and communication with key stakeholders.
• Budget and strategic planning experience.
• Procurement and grant solicitation experience.
• Contract management experience, including reporting requirements.
• Clear and effective communication skills (verbal and written).
• Possess superior customer service skills and the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external clients/customers.
• Skilled at coordinating and supervising administrative, financial, operational and personnel management functions.
• Ability to interpret policy, develop procedures, and apply knowledge of effective business practices and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across a wide array of university departments and associates.
• Ability to exercise sound and independent judgment and address complex issues with minimal or no supervision.
• Ability and demonstrated focus on customer service, time management, teamwork, professionalism, and accuracy.
• Work effectively across a wide array of university departments and with external associates.
• Proficient with Microsoft suite software programs.

Nice-to-haves

• Certification in Project Management.
• Certification and/or training as a Commonwealth procurement officer.
• CPA.
• Financial experience in a complex organizational environment, experience in higher education or non-profit organization.
• Extensive experience with university systems including: Banner HR and Finance modules, Banner reports, Business Intelligence Reports, and Faculty and Human Resource Management Systems.
• Expert level experience as an organizational administrator applying knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia and public university policies, rules, and regulations for program business operations.
• Knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia policies and regulations.
• Working knowledge of the eVA procurement system and INB Banner.
• Advanced knowledge of university policies, procedures, and systems for budget formulation and execution of educational and general funds and grants and awards.

Benefits

• Salary commensurate with education and experience.
• Hybrid eligible workplace.
• Criminal and financial background checks required.