Executive Director, Finance and Administration, School of Business

Job Description Summary

The Wake Forest University School of Business is seeking qualified candidates for the role of Executive Director, Finance and Administration. This key leadership role will be responsible for operational leadership and management of the school’s financial and administrative operations. The role serves as a thought partner with the Chief Administrative Officer to provide financial leadership and insight for the School of Business.

Direct areas of responsibility include: budget planning, financial analysis & forecasting, financial operations, and supervision of finance and administrative operations team.

* This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Develops and maintains financial models and analysis to facilitate strategic decision‑making by senior leadership.

Effectively communicates and presents critical financial matters to the Dean, Chief Administrative Officer, and other members of the School of Business Leadership Team.

Leads the annual planning and budget development process. Plans, drafts, and coordinates approval of the annual budget and multi‑year projections, working closely with the Chief Administrative Officer and other members of Leadership. Works with department heads to prepare budgets. Monitors the approved budget through analysis of monthly budget and other reports.

Sets the Finance and Administrative departmental strategy and manages through direct reports the school’s financial operations. Directs the daily financial management of all departments within the School of Business.

Reviews School of Business contracts for goods and services. Coordinates with the Chief Administrative Officer, WFU Procurement, and WFU Legal Department to engage and maintain such contracts. Develops, initiates, and evaluates requests for proposals (RFP) on behalf of the School of Business for goods and services.

Designs and presents ad hoc financial analyses to Dean, Senior Associate Deans, Chief Administrative Officer and other senior leaders, as requested; performs information research and analysis as needed for special projects, new programs, and ventures in the WFU School of Business.

Manages use of restricted funds, tracks endowment performance, and ensures that donor terms are honored.

Serves as School of Business liaison and partners effectively with University Financial Services, and other university‑wide shared services.

Other duties as assigned.

Bachelor’s degree plus 10+ years of related experience.

Demonstrated knowledge of standard accounting principles.

Ability to provide operational leadership to a complex organizational structure within the University.

Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community; proven communication skills, both verbally and in writing; ability to convey financial concepts to non‑financial professionals.

Ability to analyze and interpret policy and procedural questions without the benefit of precedent; and make recommendations to higher management in a coherent manner with supporting arguments.

Ability to work independently; evidence of good judgment and a high‑level problem‑solving skills.

Technical knowledge of fund accounting principles, budget preparation, and fiscal management in an academic environment.

Proficiency in Excel (template development, pivot tables, macros) and Access (creating queries and reports).

Knowledge of University practices, policies, and procedures.

Knowledge of related systems (Workday, Adaptive Insights, etc.) or the ability to quickly learn the systems.

Master’s degree strongly preferred with prior experience in Finance or Accounting in higher education.

CPA or other relevant certification.

Hires, trains, develops and directs finance and administrative operations staff.

Responsible for the budget planning, financial analysis & forecasting, and financial…