Director of Administration & Finance

Title: Director of Administration & Finance

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: Engineering

Department: Mech & Industrial Engineering

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

The Director of Administration and Finance supports the Department Head in the overall management of the department. This position oversees all business and fiscal operations for academic, research, and outreach activities in one of the Riccio College of Engineering's academic departments. They facilitate HR processes for faculty, researchers, and student employees, and partner with University Human Resources Business Partners (HRBPs) on HR matters relating to staff within the department.

The Director provides leadership, training and direct supervision of departmental personnel and participates in department policy development and implementation.

• Provides advice to the Department Head on current and projected status of operations in the department.
• Contributes information and guidance for periodic departmental reviews.
• Collaborates with the Head to develop and implement strategic plans around departmental goal achievement.
• Communicates initiatives to appropriate stakeholders.
• Provides leadership and direct supervision for all assigned staff to ensure compliance with all relevant laws, policies, union contracts, and regulations.
• Manages the complete range of fiscal activity related to department budgets.
• Develops, assesses and administers departmental budgets, projections, and spending plans.
• Analyzes, forecasts and negotiates funding.
• Makes spending recommendations that support department operations and goals.
• Serves as a resource and advisor on various fiscal matters such as policies pertaining to new funding initiatives.
• Forecasts revenues and expenditures related to the development of new academic programs.
• Applies and conforms with internal financial policies to ensure transactions are processed properly (e.g. tax, HR, legal, federal).
• Develops and implements short-term and long-term funding options for strategic plans and on-going operations.
• Recommends departmental policy and procedure changes to ensure compliance with all applicable rules and regulations, including internal control.
• Manages complete range of fiscal activity related to sponsored research including preparation of budgets, and justifications, final grant compilation and preparation in adherence to sponsor mandated financial regulations.
• Serves as a liaison between principal investigators, University grant offices (currently OPAS and OPAM), and systems to manipulate and analyze financial data for internal and external reporting and decision-making.
• Develops processes for monitoring and reporting account information. May assist with grant proposal development, including review solicitation, creating and submitting records in Kuali, and budget creation.
• Ensures the smooth preparation and facilitation of events and programs.
• Facilitates department human resources activities for faculty, researchers, and student employees including, but not limited to, on/off boarding, reappointments, faculty searches, tenure, faculty reviews, visa and permanent resident card processes for faculty.
• Ensures compliance with University policies and practices.
• Provides advice and guidance to employees on issues and questions related to their status as UMass employees.
• Connects departmental staff with assigned University HRBPs who manage HR functions for all staff, provides necessary information and data, and works collaboratively as needed.
• Liaises with various on-campus offices such as the Controller, Dean, Academic Human Resources, Accounting, Unified Procurement Services Team (UPST), Graduate School, International Programs Office (IPO), University Analytics & Institutional Research (UAIR), and Information Technology (IT).
• Acts as a resource for faculty and students with administrative problems and associations with other University offices.
• Serves as the building coordinator.
• Coordinates renovations, refurbishing, moving, and maintenance projects, inventory, and security related issues with offices, laboratories, classrooms, and storage spaces.
• Works with the Office of Campus Planning and Space Management on annual space inventory survey and special renovation projects.

• Works collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, community, equity, and belonging.
• Works in partnership with colleagues within the Riccio College of Engineering community and across the University to support the Dean's strategic priorities.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the Riccio College of Engineering.

• Associate's degree in Business, Accounting, or related field with 6 years of relevant experience, OR
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, or a related field with 4 years of relevant experience, OR
• Master's degree in Business, Accounting, or a related field with 2 years of relevant…