Director, Finance & Operations, AU Online

Job ID: 251953
Location: Augusta University
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary:

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About Us
Augusta University is Georgia's innovation center for education and health care, training the next generation of innovators, leaders, and healthcare providers in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state. More than 9,000 students choose Augusta for educational opportunities at the center of Georgia's cybersecurity hub and experiential learning that blends arts and application, humanities, and the health sciences. Augusta is home to Georgia's only public academic health center, where groundbreaking research is creating a healthier, more prosperous Georgia, and world-class clinicians are bringing the medicine of tomorrow to patient care today.

Location
Augusta University - Our Health Sciences Campus: 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912Our Summerville Campus: 2500 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904

College/Department Information
Augusta University Online Services, will reach the modern learner and ensure online success— and the greater university — our three building blocks at Augusta University Online include building online opportunities where the need is greatest, focusing on student and faculty engagement, and fostering a sense of belonging. Our hope is to create an engaging, supportive learning environment that is easy for students and faculty to access, that will serve as a model of best-in-class online education.

Job Summary
Augusta University Online (AUO) is a major strategic effort sponsored by the President of Augusta University to take us into the 21st century with advanced learning models for AU students. Seeking to become a best-in-class provider of online education, AUO will act as an internal OPM (Online Program Management) unit deploying the most advanced learning technologies and methods to support our faculty in the development of leading-edge online instruction through this innovative new model for online program development and marketing. Augusta University is one of four major public research universities in the State of Georgia, boasting one of the oldest and largest Medical Schools in the country, the only Dental School in the state and the only public nursing school in Georgia. AU has become a leading provider and innovator of healthcare services and instruction. Our school of Cyber and Computer science support the US Cyber Central Command, which is also located in Augusta and responsible for $4.7 billion investment in our region and our nation's cyber security. With over 4,000 graduate students seeking some of the most applied and career-relevant degrees in the southeast region, Augusta remains one of the fastest growing universities in the state. AU Online is looking to fill a senior level role, to oversee the financial and administrative functions of this new unit. Reporting directly to the Associate Provost and Dean of AU Online, the Director for Finance and Operations of AU Online will oversee all financial, contractual and operational aspects of the unit. Given the financial innovation associated with the creation of an internal online program management unit, this leader will need a deep understanding of financial management best practices in both public and private sectors, a level of financial acumen capability of steering this unit into new areas where risks and opportunities are high and creativity balanced by strong financial rigor are essential. This role manages the annual and multiyear budget and operating planning process, forecasting, performance measurement, procurement, and other policies that impact risks associated with an online university. While the primary function will be financial, the Director will play a key role in developing and steering the strategic direction of this unit. This role will supervise and manage staff tasked with administrative, contracting and budgeting responsibilities for the unit and ensure their professional growth and development. The Director will work collaboratively with the AVP for Strategic Marketing and Enrollment Management and the AVP for Online Education. The function manages AUOs human, financial, and physical resources, as well as developing procedures and processes to attain unit goals. Additionally, the Director will assist the Associate Provost and Dean in formulating and implementing strategies, policies and budgets that impact all of AU Online's digital education activities. The Director will also represent the unit at campus meetings or in committees, in order to manage the accountability and stewardship of AU resources (financial and human) in accordance with AU policies and AUO's Online's goals. Finally, this role will introduce financial and administrative best practices to online operations, thus making the workings of AU Online more transparent, understandable, and visible to key stakeholders -- both inside and outside of AU Online.

Responsibilities
The duties include, but are not limited to: Financial Stewardship:Under the direction of the Dean and Associate Provost, this role collaborates with AU Online's program AVPs, directors, program managers, online instructors, and school and campus faculty on short- and long-term financial and resource planning. As the senior-most financial leader, the accuracy and financial stewardship of the unit resources rests with this function requiring a very high level of financial experience and acumen. The Director collaborates with financial departments across the university to achieve financial and strategic goals. The Director manages the daily financial and administrative operations of AU Online. Oversees the administration, management, and long-term managerial planning of all standard administrative support activities (e.g., budget administration, personnel management, facilities management, inventory, procurement, and office management).

• Manages all financial interaction with the University's Provost and Presidential budget and finance offices on behalf of the unit.
• Validates and certifies all financial transactions for the unit with a high degree of financial and policy acumen and rigor.
• Solicits input into and presents the financial budget and plan for the unit.
• Manages federal, regional and state policies, procedures, to ensure the unit remains in compliance with all requirements.
• Evaluates resource plan and asks as a strong advocate for the units needs and while developing clear risk mitigation strategies.
• Ensures a close and productive relationship with the network of financial directors across the university.
• Identifies, creates, and implements financial strategy for online course delivery, student retention, and marketing, as well as core operations.
• Represents the organization positively and confidently. Creates a climate that fosters personal investment, customer service, and performance excellence.
• Represents and advocates for operational resource needs to the Associate Provost and Dean, including staffing resource and technical needs.
• Participates in all key administrative and financial councils to shape and inform university policy with an eye toward online education.
• Works with the USG (University System of Georgia) to establish pricing, aid, and other policies and procedures that impact AU online.
• Collaborates with Deans Offices, the Office of Finance, Financial Aid, Registrar's Office, Institutional Effectiveness, University HR Services, Office of Legal Affairs, and Information Technology to ensure integrated and seamless financial administration and budgeting process.
• Anticipates future needs, risks, and opportunities, and works in a highly effective and collaborative manner across internal and external organizations with individuals of all backgrounds and cultures.
• Responsible for the recruitment, supervision and professional growth and development of the business managers/analysts assigned to AU Online.

Manages AU Online Budgeting, Planning and Reporting:Responsible for the production of an annual budget, financial management, and achievement of online program goals in a fully self-supporting environment. Owns the development and approval of the AU Annual Budget with the Dean and Associate Provost.

• Monitors annual budget and makes appropriate adjustments during the year.
• Tracks budget performance for online degrees each term in consultation with the Associate Provost and Dean.
• Periodically analyzes and monitors revenue, expenditures and budgets and makes adjustments to achieve budgetary goals.
• In consultation with the Dean and Associate Provost and program offices, negotiates instructor compensation and other course-related expenses.
• Reviews and approves payment requests, invoices, reimbursements, and purchase orders.
• Oversees the completion and effective execution of major third party contracts.
• Manages and implements systems necessary to enable the effective financial management of AU online, in alignment with university policies, ranging from data security to consistent accounting methods and standards
• Oversees the procurement process for AU Online to adhere with university policies
• Manages Administrative and HR processes to ensure AU Online leadership and staff are well supported by Administrative and HR policies and processes
• Collaborates with institutional effectiveness on all institutional reporting requirements and oversees reporting to all university units associated with AU Online.
• Designs and reports with clarity for all stakeholders the leading indicators of unit and project performance, in alignment with the unit's goals.

Manages Program-Level Administration and Financials:Plays key role in departmental leadership through interactions with faculty and staff regarding unit financials, policy, procedures, and philosophy. Exercises sound judgment, strong decision-making skills and initiative in the planning and monitoring of online programing in collaboration with colleges and units. Provides management expertise and creates an infrastructure to support AU Online. A key aspect of this role is to work closely with Deans and their Financial Administrators, as well as university Finance teams, to define program level financials, resourcing, student aid and other support needs, as well as and performance outcomes and reporting for AU Online. Much of this work will be embodied in the creation of an “online program proforma tool” that will be used to evaluate the financials of a prospective or current online program -- including the costs of managing the program --as well as periodic forecasting of revenue and expenses to determine the achievement of performance goals.

• Defines and manages the online proforma tool for managing online program forecasts
• Communicates effectively about the tool, its uses, hurdle rates required for AU online programs, degrees, certificates, etc.
• Devises and directs workflow processes for various groups to build and manage the program-level financials.
• Collaborates effectively with university financial and administrative departments, including, but not limited to, Deans Offices, the Office of Finance, Financial Aid, Registrar's Office, Institutional Effectiveness, University HR Services, Office of Legal Affairs, and Information Technology.
• Designs, monitors, and reports on all program-level performance measures as they relate to the financial basis of the organization, and support the overall performance reporting system
• Validates and support marketing and enrollment forecasts.
• Demonstrates leadership, exhibits versatility, and promotes collaboration and teamwork between AU Online and the university.
• Promotes the free flow of information through all levels of the organization as an effective communicator and encourages the open expression of ideas and opinions and recommends enhancements to improve the flow of information.

Supports Unit and Project Level Strategic Planning:While the primary focus of this role is on finance and administration, as a senior leader in the unit this role manages the formal strategic planning required by the Provost in support of the Associate Provost and Deans strategic goals and vision with the AUO senior team. Additionally, a key function will be to support the unit with project management capabilities to ensure goals and targets are achieved in alignment with our strategic goals.

• Oversee the annual planning process and development of materials for the Resource Planning hearings.
• Manage the documentation and processes associated with annual strategic planning conducted by the university.
• Overseeing the project management of key strategic and operational activities of the unit to ensure consistent timelines and resource constraints are effectively managed.
• Identifies, trains and manages staff capable of supporting the unit's project management capabilities.
• Coordinate with the internal committees and functions tasked with setting strategic direction and measuring unit performance against those strategic goals, including, but not limited to Institutional Effectiveness.

Required Qualifications
Educational Requirements
Master's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.

Required Experience
5-7 years of progressively responsible financial management experience, particularly in an online academic setting.
Experience in a self-supporting environment (generating revenue and controlling expenses), including experience developing and managing budgets.
Experience managing a financial planning or administrative functions and teams.An ability to work with and maintain effective, collaborative, and professional relationships with academic and administrative department managers as well as external clients and instructors.Ability to work at management level, but willingness and acumen to perform hands-on tasks.Able to manage teams, with proven experience identifying, managing and developing staff.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience in higher ed recruitment and enrollment managementFormal project management skills or certificationsDemonstrated strategic planning experienceUnderstanding of best practices in the use of financial systems and forecastingUniversity System of Georgia experiencePrivate sector finance experience

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of Finance, budgeting and
• Design and management of detailed financial models in a wide range of software tools, included but not limited to excel
• Experience in higher education
• Knowledge of university policies and procedures
• Experience with operations and project management
• Analytical skills to conduct analysis and develop recommendations demonstrating organization and problem-solving skills.
• Effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills and presentation skills.
• Thorough attention to detail, project management and organizational skills.

Shift/Salary/Benefits
Shift: Days/M-F (work outside of the normal business hours will likely be required of an employee in an exempt level position)

Pay Grade: 24

Salary: Minimum $74,604.00/Annually -
Salary to be commensurate with qualifications of the selected candidate within the established range (generally minimum-midpoint) of the position

Recruitment Period: 11/15/22 - Until Filled

Augusta University offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees.

Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays.

Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program. Consider applying with us today!

Conditions of Employment
All selected candidates are required to successfully pass a Background Check review prior to starting with Augusta University.If applicable for the specific position based on the duties: the candidate will also need to have a credit check completed for Positions of Trust and or approved departmental Purchase Card usage.All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive [patient, student, employee, financial, business, etc.] information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond.

Credit Check
This position will require the acquisition of a P-Card and/or handle cash, credit or other sensitive information and will require a satisfactory Consumer Credit check as a condition of employment.

Other Information
This position is also responsible for promoting a customer-friendly environment and providing superior service to our patients, students, faculty, and employees. "Augusta University is a patient-and family-centered care institution, where employees partner every day with patients and families for success."Augusta University is a tobacco-free environment, and the use of any tobacco products on any part of the campus, both inside and outside, is strictly prohibited.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Augusta University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer welcoming applicants from underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.

How To Apply
Consider applying with us today! https://www.augusta.edu/hr/jobs/Select University Faculty & Staff > External Applicants if you are a candidate from outside the universitySelect University Faculty & Staff > Internal Applicants if you are a current university employee If you need further assistance, please contact us at 706-721-9365

To apply, visit https://careers.hprod.onehcm.usg.edu/psp/careers/CAREERS/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=12000&JobOpeningId=251953&PostingSeq=1

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