Director of Finance

Job description

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) is dedicated to fulfilling Georgetown University's mission of promoting intellectual, ethical and spiritual understanding through serious and sustained discourse among people of different faiths, cultures, and beliefs. Embodying this spirit of the University, Georgetown's Qatar campus undertakes education, research, and service in order to advance knowledge and provide students and the community with a holistic educational experience that produces global citizens committed to the service of humankind.

We demonstrate the values of Georgetown University; seek to build upon the world-class reputation of the Edmund

A. Walsh School of Foreign Service; and work with our partner, Qatar Foundation, in its endeavors to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), located in Doha, is seeking an experienced and strategic financial leader to serve as its Director of Finance.

• In close consultation with the COO, help oversee the execution GU-Q's financial management strategy.
• Oversee and manage the following functions: general accounting including accounts payable and accounts receivable, payroll approvals, procurement including development and negotiation of contracts, treasury operations, as well as student financial services.
• Manage and coordinate all fiscal reporting requirements for GU-Q, including coordination of all audit activities.
• Ensure all monthly and year-end accounting activities are carried out in a timely and efficient manner.
• Coordinate all quarterly and yearly budgeting activities.

• Ensure that all GU-Q programs and activities are carried out in accordance with the Qatar Foundation (QF) agreement.
• In close collaboration with the COO, provide leadership in financial policy formulation, revenue and expenditure management, and capital budget management.
• Develop, communicate, manage and provide guidance to faculty and staff on university financial policies and procedures.
• Establish the annual planning and budget process and incorporate planning parameters to develop 5-year financial plans at the department level.
• Ensure adequate controls are in place and substantiating documentation is approved to ensure compliance with audits, regulatory and/or reporting requirements.
• Provide support in major contract negotiations, acquisitions, and/or joint venture opportunities.
• Oversee student financial services, procurement and payment, and treasury operations, including foreign gift and contracts reporting to the GU Office of Compliance for Department of Education reporting.
• Develop a financial framework and model for managing all assets and liabilities of the organization over the useful life of those assets and liabilities.
• Collaborate with appropriate University divisions to evaluate, plan, and deploy the use of technology and related processes to advance the mission of the University.
• Liaise with appropriate units to ensure pre- and post-award compliance with sponsor and university requirements.
• Serve as a liaison with the Main Campus Finance Office, GU-Q HR, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Sponsored Programs, Internal Audit and other appropriate departments at GU-Q or GU-DC.
• Develop and maintain adequate financial forecasting models.
• Prepare financial reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage and oversee the work of staff, including setting and reviewing performance objectives, and identifying training and development needs.
• Liaise with Human Resources to manage recruitment, hiring, onboarding and offboarding of direct reports, as required.
• Respond to urgent requests and concerns via email, texts, and phone calls outside of normal working hours.
• Other similar duties, as assigned.

• Knowledge & Understanding of GAAP, GAAS, FASB, and GASB.
• Knowledge of process improvement and security best practices.
• Knowledge of accounting and financial information system technology, including web-based applications.
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office.
• Ability to present a service-oriented approach in a highly-regulated and compliance-driven environment.

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, management, finance or business administration.
• Master's degree is preferred.
• CPA certification is preferred.

• 7+ years' of progressively responsible management experience, preferably in a large,…