Program Director I, Academic Finance

N/A

Pay Range

JOB SUMMARY:
The Program Director of Academic Finance is a senior operational leader who reports to the Associate Vice President for Finance to coordinate implement and manage enterprise academic finance initiatives across Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Advocate Health. This role translates financial strategy into operational executionsupporting multi-year financial planning enterprise budgeting academic program financial modeling and reporting infrastructure across multiple campuses and academic missions (education research faculty affairs and graduate medical education). The Program Director serves as the operational integrator across finance analytics academic leadershipensuring consistent financial practices clear decision support and disciplined execution of academic finance priorities aligned with enterprise strategy.

PREFERRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors degree plus a minimum of five years of financial experience in a large organizational setting or

• Masters degree plus three years of relevant financial experience in a large organizational setting

• Experience in an academic medical center or healthcare system environment preferred

LICENSURE CERTIFICATION and/or REGISTRATION: not required

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Job Duties

• Lead Financial Planning & Forecasting: Develop and maintain annual budgets rolling forecasts proformas and multi-year financial plans. Support scenario modeling for revenue expenses staffing and capital investments and monitor performance against plan.

• Coordinate Budget Development & Monitoring: Oversee budget preparation across multiple departments or programs. Ensure consistent budgeting practices and timelines and track budget variances with actionable reporting.

• Provide Comprehensive Financial Management and Reporting: Deliver timely accurate reports and analyses to Vice Deans and academic leadership that monitor performance identify variances and support strategic decision-making.

• Design Financial Dashboards to Monitor Academic Metrics and KPIs: Transform data into actionable insights that enable academic leadership to make strategic data-driven operational decisions.

• Provide Financial Analysis & Decision Support: Conduct financial modeling cost-benefit analysis and ROI evaluations. Translate financial data into clear recommendations and support business cases for new initiatives.

• Monitor Academic Endowments and Chair/Faculty Financial Commitments: Identify monitor and report on the utilization of endowments and faculty commitments to ensure compliance stewardship and strategic alignment with institutional priorities and long-term academic objectives.

• Ensure Financial Controls & Compliance: Support implementation of financial policies procedures and internal controls. Ensure adherence to regulatory and organizational requirements.

• Manage Cross-Functional Finance Projects and System Enhancements: Lead finance-related initiatives such as system implementations process improvements or restructuring efforts. Partner with operational stakeholders to assess needs optimize processes and enhance financial systems and reporting tools to improve accuracy efficiency and data-driven decision-making.

• Build Stakeholder Partnerships & Communication: Serve as a trusted advisor to AVP and other academic leaders on financial matters. Present financial insights clearly and facilitate financial transparency and education across teams.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent financial management and budgeting skills

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Strong knowledge of data analysis and financial reporting

• Ability to navigate in a highly matrixed environment

• Ability to achieve results with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail

• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytic skills

Physical Requirements

This position requires periods of sitting standing walking bending and reaching. It is essential that the teammate can speak hear and see. Ability to use finger and hand dexterity.

Education Experience and Certifications

Bachelors degree with three years of progressive and applicable experience in the area to be served.

Our CommitmenttoYou:

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs competitive compensation generous retirement offerings programs that invest in your career development and so much more so you can live fully at and away from work including:

Compensation

• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications skills relevant experience and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift on call and more based on a teammates job
• Incentive pay for select positions
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical dental vision life andShort- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program