Assistant Director of Finance and Administration

Assistant Director of Finance and Administration

The Assistant Director of Finance and Administration provides leadership for all financial, administrative, and operational functions of the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC) and the George Mason facilities at the Front Royal Site. Key areas of responsibility include financial management, reconciliation, operations support, auxiliary services, student life, safety and emergency planning, academic affairs, and strategic initiatives. This position is responsible for the oversight of the day-to-day campus operations of the Academic Center, 120-room Residence Hall, and full-service Dining Hall to ensure that all academic, operations, and student life needs are met.

The Assistant Director serves as a subject matter expert (SME) in university policies and regulations providing consultation and guidance to the administrative and program services and act as the liaison between George Mason University and the Smithsonian to effectively communicate and coordinate program activities. This position reports to Executive Director of Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation.

Responsibilities include budget and financial management, operations, personnel, academic program administration, and student programming and support.

Required qualifications include a master's degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience, experience serving as an organizational administrative expert, knowledge of administrative, financial, operational and personnel management, demonstrated customer service skills, ability to exercise sound and independent judgment, ability to interpret policy, develop procedures, and apply knowledge of effective business practices and procedures, ability to effectively coordinate and supervise diverse administrative, financial, operational, and personnel functions, ability to work effectively across a wide array of university departments and with external associates, problem-solving and innovation skills to meet the challenges and opportunities of higher education, and a valid driver's license needed to drive GMU state vehicles.

Preferred qualifications include certification and/or training as a Commonwealth procurement officer, certification in project management, significant progressively responsible experience, preferably in a higher education environment, skill in the use of Microsoft suite software programs, eVA purchasing system, MFG, Touch Net and Banner, ability to serve as the organizational administrative expert applying knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia and George Mason University policies, rules, and regulations for program business operations, and working knowledge of George Mason University and/or Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.