Chief Business Officer, College of Engineering

Salary/Position Classification

• $100,000+ annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite the Grand Forks, ND campus.

The Chief Business Officer (CBO) is responsible for strengthening business financial planning, execution, and compliance in alignment with the College’s and University’s strategic goals. The position will lead financial and business matters and direct financial operations including budgeting, accounting and financial support for external grant funding. The CBO provides leadership, oversight and stewardship for all aspects of financial resources while promoting best practices involving finance administration within the College.

Reporting to the College Dean and with secondary reporting to the University’s Associate VP for Finance, the CBO works collaboratively with college leadership in providing strategic advice and recommending and implementing financial and administrative objectives, policies, programs, and practices that ensure a sound financial structure for the College. The CBO keeps the Dean informed about the College’s current financial position and works creatively to help sustain an environment of excellence through collaboration and innovation.

In carrying out these responsibilities, the CBO will be expected to continuously evaluate short and long-term strategic financial objectives; produce forecasts and model strategic choices and alternatives; advise on the financial implications of business activities, the costs of strategic priorities, and options for funding strategies that will provide for the realization of the College’s growth.

• Strategic Financial Leadership
  • Develop financial planning processes to prioritize and ensure that short- and long-term financial plans are in alignment with the College’s strategic vision
  • Facilitate discussion, provide data/information and work collaboratively with Resource Planning & Allocation and UND’s central finance team to develop recommendations for refinement of resource allocations, budget monitoring, and financial administration and reporting.
  • Participate in strategic planning discussions.
  • Ensure the provision of adequate, accurate and timely data for strategic decision-making and operational leadership
  • Prepare financial and enrollment models that provide for the realization of College goals.
  • Apply budgeting knowledge in developing a budgeting process that achieves financial transparency and is true to the values and mission of the College
  • Prepare and manage the College’s budget and report variances to the Dean, College Administrative Staff and UND’s central finance team
  • Summarize complex financial and non-financial data and provide easy-to-understand analyses.
  • Use forecasting techniques and data analytics when evaluating the financial applications of strategic alternatives, thereby increasing decision-makers’ understanding of the risk and rewards of such alternatives.
  • Deliver clear and concise analysis and summaries of financial and activity-level data for executive-level review
  • Financially advise and provide strategic planning to department-level administrators
  • Prepare financial statements, budget models, and respond to special project requests of the Dean.
  • Provide mechanisms to track traditional vs online revenues and expenses
  • Promote effective communication across the College and between the College and UND’s financial team
  • Provide financial and budget transparency for faculty, staff, advisory board, and other constituents as directed.
• College Liaison to UND’s Central Finance Team
  • Work directly with Resource Planning & Allocation and Associate VP for Finance to ensure the College is operating in an efficient and effective environment.
  • Provide strong communication skills in the development of working relationships between and among the financial departments on campus
  • Keep College departments abreast of necessary financial information that may impact them because of central finance policies and procedures.
  • Review current practices and determine best practices for financial transactions
• Financial Support for External Funding
  • Provide financial support for grant and contract administration…