ASSOCIATE DEAN FINANCE ADMINISTRATION College of Communication Administration

Established in 1947 Boston Universitys College of Communication is a leading communication school providing its more than 2400 undergraduate and graduate students degree programs in fields such as Emerging Media Studies Film and Television Journalism Media Science Advertising and Public Relations. We believe in the power of communication to help create a better world through building understanding among people and throughout society.
The Associate Dean of Finance & Administration oversees the College of Communications administration human resources budget planning operations and facilities. Reporting directly to the COM Dean the Associate Dean is an integral member of the colleges strategic and executive leadership team providing fiscal and strategic support to the departments in a collaborative inclusive and consultative manner. This position works with the Associate Deans Chairs Directors faculty and staff regarding all financial and operational issues to ensure that the Colleges financial investments are consistent with the Universitys and Colleges strategic plans.

The Associate Dean for Finance and Administration serves as the senior fiscal and administrative officer for the college and as the principal financial advisor to the Dean. The Associate Dean leads operational management for the College with responsibility for its operating and capital budgets $30M budget across all funding sources) human resources 350 faculty and staff) and operations.

The Associate Dean works to ensure effective use of funds and resource allocation in support of the Colleges mission. The Associate Dean works to ensure the effective and efficient management of all college operations. In collaboration with the Dean and school leadership the Associate Dean develops longterm financial plans to advance priorities and to ensure the financial sustainability and health of the College.

The Associate Dean serves as the primary liaison between the College and the University in the areas of Finance Purchasing Budget & Planning Human Resources Faculty Actions Campus Planning & Operations and Advancement. The Associate Dean has direct oversight for the finance/budget staff and operations departments (Facilities Technology).

Essential Functions:

Leadership and strategic management 25: Serve as key advisor to the Dean to support the overall strategic direction implement new initiatives and establish annual goals integrating a mission perspective with knowledge of the Colleges finances and operations and those of the university. Create business plans develop fiscal analyses and examine all pertinent data plans to facilitate decisionmaking. Collaborate with Associate Deans Chairs and Directors to balance the needs of their units with college and university priorities. Ensure the integrity of the Colleges processes procedures and policies for administrative human resources and financial administration systems. Establish goals and timetables for Operations Finance and Human Resources and develop strategies for implementation and oversee of goals. Act as direct manager to the Executive Director of Finance Director of Technology Director of Facilities and Assistant Director of Events & Programs. Serves as the primary liaison between the College and the University in the areas of Finance Purchasing Budget & Planning Human Resources Faculty Actions Campus Planning & Operations and Advancement.

Finance & Budget 35: Contribute leadership and direction over all financial operations. The Associate Dean is responsible for an approximately $30M budget which includes unrestricted accounts designated accounts gift accounts spendable endowment accounts and grant accounts. The Associate Dean collaborates with the Dean and senior leadership to develop shortterm and longrange financial plans that encompass executive management and academic priorities and is aligned with the colleges strategic plan. Oversee creation and development of the operating and capital budgets including all budget submissions documentation and supporting analysis. Serve as a key liaison for faculty and staff navigating university financial systems and policies. Streamline and optimize processes to enhance efficiency and reduce faculty/staff effort identifying and implementing costsaving measures for resource optimization.

Human Resources 20: Oversees processes to ensure that Colleges programs and units are receiving HR services as needed. Implement systems routines and processes in place that foster a positive and inclusive work environment for both direct reports and the College with the goal of improving retention effectiveness and job satisfaction. Partner with the colleagues in the central Human Resources Office on talent acquisition annual merit cycles development and retention of talent performance evaluations and complex employee relations. Collaborate with the Dean on organizational and compensation structures and modify as needed as well as faculty searches. Works with the Faculty Affairs team in the Office of the Provost on faculty recruitment and appointments and ensures that the processing of faculty personnel actions including appointments reappointment leave of absence and sabbaticals are completed in a timely manner.

Operations 20: Act as a leader for the operational and administrative staff in the College and analyze operational needs creating new or revised systems and structures to accommodate shifting demands. Maintain information on space assignments and space requirements; make recommendations to the Dean regarding space allocations; review space and work with faculty in analyzing and planning for new research/lab/other space and office needs. Lead the development and implementation of the Colleges Operations Manual identifying and assessing mitigation strategies for operational risks including updating the College Emergency Plan annually. Serve as the primary point of contact for Office of Capital Planning and Projects to execute space renovations and longterm capital project management. Partner with Colleges Director of Facilities to resolve building and maintenance issues. Partner with the Colleges Director of Technology to ensure the Colleges technical support needs are being met and new technologies are evaluated to determine if they would enhance the academic mission or efficiency of the Colleges operations.

• Masters degree and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Significant relevant experience (typically ten or more years) including financial and operational leadership responsibilities in a college or university or comparably complex environment.
• Significant business and financial acumen including financial modeling reporting and analytical skills.
• Proven leadership skills with significant people and project management experience. Previous managerial or supervisory experience.
• Broad experience delivering exemplary HR services within complex organizations.
• Ability to develop direct and report on budgets to support responsible resource allocation and management.
• Ability to synthesize and present information/data to facilitate effective decisionmaking.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with a diverse population of faculty students and staff as well as a commitment to professionalism with a customer service focus.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize negotiate and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated experience in organization analysis and strategic planning and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills are required to succeed in this role.

Desired Competencies

• Demonstrated decision making analytical and project management skills. High level of diplomacy discretion and problemsolving skills required. The ability to maintain confidentiality is essential.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex business systems. Experience managing SAP business systems is desirable.
• Demonstrated competence and knowledge of human resources practices policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of fund accounting principles. Facility with data analysis. Comfort using data to help guide decisionmaking.
• Capacity to manage complex operational priorities including the development of strategies which integrate plans and objectives of several programs services and activities across departments.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color natural or protective hairstyle religion sex age national origin physical or mental disability sexual orientation gender identity genetic information military service pregnancy or pregnancyrelated condition or because of marital parental or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.