Director, Finance and Operations

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning.

As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Director, Finance and Operations

Job Profile Title

Administrative and Financial Officer

Job Description Summary

The Director of Finance and Operations serves as the primary financial and administrative specialist for the Office of the Executive Vice President (EVP). This role is responsible for managing day-to-day financial operations, conducting budget planning and analysis, and ensuring compliance with University policies and procedures. Reporting to the Senior Director / Chief of Staff, the Director also acts as a key liaison to the nine reporting divisions, fostering collaboration, communication, and alignment on critical financial and operational matters.

The successful candidate will be a detail-oriented, strategic professional who can balance transactional oversight with forward-looking analysis, planning, and executive support.

Job Description

The Office of the Executive Vice President (EVP) provides strategic leadership and oversight for the University's fiscal, operational, and administrative functions. Through its nine divisions, the EVP organization delivers essential business and campus services that support and enhance the experience of students, faculty, and staff. The divisions reporting to the EVP include:
Audit, Compliance and Privacy;
Budget Planning and Analysis;
Business Services;
Facilities and Real Estate Services;
Finance;
Human Resources;
Information Systems and Computing;
Investments; and Public Safety.

Financial Administration

+ Manage all financial operations for the EVP Office, including budget planning, forecasting, monitoring, reporting, and closing.

+ Process and oversee revenue and expense transactions, purchasing card activity, procurement, contracts, and expense reimbursements.

+ Generate regular and ad hoc financial reports using systems and tools including BEN Financials, Hyperion, Qlikview, Business Objects, Smartview, and Excel.

+ Conduct financial and operational analyses and prepare reports for EVP leadership across a wide range of initiatives.

+ Represent the EVP Office at university-level committees, including but not limited to the Association of Business Administrators, Budget Officer's Forum, and Business Advisory Board.

Human Resources

+ Execute HR and Workday responsibilities for the EVP Center and affiliated offices, including but not limited to budget partner, HR analyst, security partner, and recruiting partner roles.

+ Manage position control, including tracking authorized positions and reviewing divisional submissions; provide regular reporting to EVP leadership.

+ Support workforce planning and organizational structure analysis across EVP divisions.

Strategic and Operational Management

+ Partner with EVP divisions to report quarterly metrics, annual strategic…