Associate Dean for Finance and Administration

Chief Business Officer

The Chief Business Officer (CBO) is responsible for the financial and business operations of Peabody College of Education and Human Development, including daily business processes, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, financial modeling and analysis, strategic planning, human capital management, sponsored project administration, policy development and implementation, compliance and internal controls, and capital planning and budgeting.

Reporting jointly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Finance and to the Dean of Peabody College, the CBO is a key advisor to the Dean on strategic, financial, human resource, and operational topics. The CBO is an effective leader, natural collaborator, and skilled communicator who builds trusting relationships across Peabody and the University. The ideal candidate will have a strategic, decision-enabling mindset and keen financial and business acumen that will allow them to effectively advise the Dean, associated deans, department chairs, administrators, and other key stakeholders.

The CBO serves as the primary point of contact relative to financial and business operations for Peabody College, working to accomplish the priorities of the College and of the broader University by leading and facilitating interactions with and between many of the core University offices that support the various schools, including Finance, People Culture and Belonging, General Counsel, Risk Management, Facilities, Development and Alumni Relations, and Vanderbilt University IT.

Peabody College is a world-class college of education and human development consistently ranked among the top 10 graduate schools of education in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Its mission is to enhance the human condition by creating knowledge about learning and development in their social contexts, by translating discoveries into more effective practice and policy, and by preparing leaders who will generate positive change throughout the nation and the world.

Vanderbilt degrees offered by Peabody include the bachelor of science, master of education, master of public policy, master of science, doctor of education, and doctor of philosophy. Peabody serves more than 2,500 students, both on campus and online, with a full-time faculty of 200.

Strategic Management

• Serve as the primary business advisor to the Dean of Peabody College, associate deans, and departmental leaders.
• Serve as a member of the College's executive leadership team, providing counsel and overseeing implementation of operational and financial activities in support of the College.
• Act as the primary financial, business, and operational liaison for the College to Finance and various other core University offices.

Financial Oversight

• Develop and manage the annual operating budget, monthly forecasts, and management reporting for the College, including monthly budget variance analysis.
• Analyze financial data to support budgeting and decision-making, providing clear, actionable insights.
• Support capital planning by developing the annual capital budget, planning for capital project financing, and monitoring capital expenditures.
• Ensure effective utilization of gift and endowment funding while complying with donor restrictions. Report to Finance and Development and Alumni Relations periodically on gift and endowment utilization.
• Collaborate with Development and Alumni Relations on donor agreements, gift and endowment accounting, and project management.
• Oversee contract and grant administration, including grant expenditures, effort certification, cost-sharing, cost transfers, and grant closeout. Collaborate with the Peabody Research Office on grant planning and budgeting. Collaborate with Research Finance on grant accounting, reporting, and compliance matters.
• Plan, oversee, and manage various programmatic revenue sources, including fees, royalties, and medical center service agreements. Review and approve general accounts receivable and deposit transactions.
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and year-end accounting activities, ensuring accurate accounting and classification of transactions and year-end accruals.
• Implement and monitor effective internal controls for the processing of financial transactions, including segregation of duties, access controls, and monitoring and evaluating financial results and budget variances.

Operational Oversight

• Develop, implement, and improve operational policies, procedures, and business practices.
• Train and coach department and Dean's Office administrators on financial and operational systems and procedures.
• Proactively drive organizational change and process improvements with an eye toward optimizing effectiveness and maximizing efficiency.
• Anticipate the needs of faculty and administrators, act as an advisor and thought partner to them, and identify and facilitate potential solutions to emerging or novel issues.
• Review and approve procurement requests, employee expense reports,…