Assistant Director of Project Finance

Salary/Position Classification

• $90,000-$110,000 Annual, Dependent on Experience, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will onsite at UND Grand Forks, ND campus

The Assistant Director Project Finance position is responsible for overseeing core business functions for Facilities Management projects. This position provides leadership, mentorship, and supervision to the Facilities project finance team, including strategic direction, procedural development, process efficiency and improvement, and expertise in finance, accounting, and various software programs used by the Facilities project finance team. This position is responsible for compliance, documenting standards of work, implementing internal controls, project accounting, reconciliation, project financial reporting, and overall project financial management.

• Oversee and conduct core business functions for Facilities Management projects
• Lead and oversee project management fiscal operations, including project creation, fund determination and setup, budgeting, purchase requisitions, accounts payable, change order, contract routing, project authorizations, accounting, reconciling, and project closeout.
• Establish, review, and monitor internal controls over financial transactions; recommend and implement process improvements to strengthen compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Direct project financial workflows, coordinating and reviewing assigned tasks to ensure timely and accurate completion.
• Meet regularly with project managers, Facilities leadership, and campus stakeholders to assess financial plans, commitments, and outcomes; provide guidance to ensure alignment with university priories and fiscal policies.
• Monitor financial performance metrics and implement corrective actions to ensure fiscal responsibility, budget adherence, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and transparency of project budgets, expenditures, and financial records.
• Apply advanced accounting principles and professional judgment to maintain and enhance departmental accounting practices and controls.
• Conduct final financial review and project closeout, including final determination and assessment of PDC fee, final billing, reconciliations, equipment inventory compilation, and facilitation of transfers to departments as applicable.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex financial issues, providing analysis, recommendations, and resolution
• Act as the financial liaison between PDC, Central Finance, and campus departments to ensure alignment and clear communication.
• Monitor compliance with State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) authorization limits through proactive budget tracking and report issues immediately.
• Identify, analyze, and promptly report financial risks, discrepancies, or compliance concerns, recommending corrective actions as needed.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of system configuration, data flow, and integrations between AiM, Jaggaer, and People Soft Financials (PSFin); identify, troubleshoot, and resolve system-related issues.
• Lead project management software testing, enhancements, and system upgrades, including test data development, defect identification, documentation, and recommendation of system improvements.
• Evaluate the impact of new system enhancements on existing financial processes and technical infrastructure to ensure operational compatibility and efficiency.
• Reporting, data analysis, and documentation
  • Prepare, review, and distribute comprehensive financial reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual statements, ensuring accuracy and compliance with institutional standards.
  • Develop and maintain detailed project cost reports, tracking budgets, expenditures, encumbrances, and funding sources throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Perform complex statistical, cost and financial analysis of financial reports and data, and prepare subsequent narrative analysis for leadership.
  • Plan, review and conduct complex studies to assess project financials.
  • Collaborate with project managers and leadership to provide timely financial insights that support informed decision-making.
  • Coordinate and complete financial documentation required for project closeout, including final cost reconciliation, funding verification, and audit-ready support files.
  • Serve as the primary liaison for internal and external data and audit inquiries, providing comprehensive documentation and clear explanations of financial transactions, processes, and internal controls.
  • Coordinate, compile, reconcile, and validate financial data to fulfill audit and ad hoc requests, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely submission.
  • Maintain and oversee required documentation for legislatively approved projects, State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) approved projects, and bond or specially funded projects to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and reporting requirements.
  • Administer document control practices and ensure compliance with institutional and…