Associate Director of Finance

Pikemann has been retained by Western Washington University to hire an Associate Director of Finance and Budget, University Residences
. This position is onsite in Bellingham, WA daily. You must reside within commuting distance of Bellingham or be willing to relocate to the area. Some relocation assistance is available.

Reporting to the Executive Director of University Residences, this role will oversee financial, capital, and business activities within University Residences.

Ensuring alignment with the goals of the WWU strategic plan, including diversity, inclusion, equity, social justice, sustainability, accessibility, and affordability, is integrated into all aspects of oversight.

Develop, monitor, and audit the overall University Residences budget, currently at $60 million. Provide long-term fiscal planning for housing and dining development, capital planning, and the Housing Long-Term Master Plan.

Serve as a strategic partner on steering and design committees for annual and periodic renovations, construction projects, and updates to the Housing Long-Term Master Plan. The plan outlines nearly $700 million in replacement, renovation, and addition projects over the next 10 years, including assumptions and analyses of various phasing options and room-and-board rate structures.

Work with senior leadership to develop strategies for the resource strategies for Housing System capital projects. Incorporate revenue projections and collaborate with senior leadership to present bond financing to the Board of Trustees when necessary to meet program goals and ensure the long-term success of operations.

Identify emerging needs and assess implications of issues and concerns. Collaborate broadly across the institution, including with Business and Financial Affairs division strategic partners, and other departments involved in fiscal and capital planning, strategic projects, and change management. Incorporate institutional strategic directions and goals into all planning and operational areas, including enrollment, retention, and sustainability. Work closely with Strategy, Management, and Budget to develop reports and presentations for the Board of Trustees on long-term auxiliary plans, student fees, capital projects, and bond issues.

• Assist the Executive Director of University Residences in developing and implementing financing plans for System expansion and renovation in concert with university administration and external financial advisors.
• Provide overall direction and coordinate the business and financial aspects of the Housing budget. The scope of responsibilities includes managing Housing's budget and rate development process, monitoring and reporting on the System's financial progress, and ensuring that appropriate financial management systems and controls are in place. This includes ongoing evaluation of the quality of contracted dining services.
• Long-term fiscal planning for housing and dining development, capital projects, and the Housing System Long-Term Master Plan. Develop projections of programmatic space needs and establish long-range projects and funding strategies.
• Collaborate across divisions to create development assessments for the Housing System.
• Develop the detailed fiscal components of the Student Auxiliary Long-Range Capital Plans by projecting revenue from diverse sources, applying different expense assumptions, and calculating debt capacity within bond covenant requirements.
• Assess and develop funding strategies for ongoing maintenance, repairs, and replacements of UR facilities, addressing deferred maintenance alongside programmatic renovations whenever feasible.
• Meet periodically with the university's financial advisor and relevant WWU staff to review and develop current and future plans.
• Collaborate with University Residences - Facilities to include renewal and renovation needs and plans into financing assumptions.
• Participate in institutional capital planning, capital projects steering committees, and other committees as assigned.
• Collaborate with Strategy, Management, and Budget to prepare the annual Board of Trustees Fee and Rate Proposal.
• Prepare mid-year Board of Trustees reports as requested, along with other unit reports.
• Develop fiscal program goals aligned with the department's, division's, and university's mission, goals, and strategic plan.
• Direct the expansion of student service enhancements and revenue sources for the Housing System.
• Develop, monitor, and audit the overall Housing System budget, which is currently $60 million.
• Analyze current operating data for incorporation into the long-range planning structure.
• Communicate budget plans to Housing System managers, university administration, and student constituents. Develop spreadsheets, charts, and talking points.
• Ensure the Housing System complies with System Financing Principles.
• Monitor revenues and expenditures within the various components of…