Career Center

The assistant dean of finance & operations (ADFO) reports directly to the dean and serves as the School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC) principal business and financial officer, providing direct support and management of the school’s budget and financial operations that totals approximately $19.4 million per year.

The position serves as a strategic advisor to the executive leadership team and program directors and lead authority on matters involving deployment of SOJC resources. The ADFO provides strategic recommendations and financial oversight in the development of new proposals, programs, and initiatives.

The ADFO supervises all business office positions including those directly involved with finance, facilities, business operations, and grants. The position is in charge of all physical resource allocation and long-term space planning leadership and project management. The ADFO is responsible for organizational analysis and recommendations including structures, workflows, and efficiencies under direct leadership of the dean. This position develops and implements financial, and operational policies and is charged with authority to accomplish broad goals and objectives set by the SOJC dean and/or central administration.

The ADFO is expected to effectively communicate projections, reports, and other financial information directly to SOJC leadership, key campus stakeholders, and central executive financial personnel. The role includes fiduciary oversight of the school’s expenditures, strategic budgetary planning, and managing all regular operations and internal controls of the business office. This position also designs and implements strategic plan metrics reporting and analysis.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, management, economics, accounting, public policy, or related field
• Five years experience, demonstrating increasing responsibility, in budget/finance, project management, program management, and supervision or lead work of support staff.
• Experience conceptualizing operational decisions/plans, modeling their financial impact and communicating the findings.

Professional Competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated respect, poise, tact, and diplomacy.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office with advanced skills in Excel.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex financial information to colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability and/or commitment to work with faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds in an inclusive, welcoming environment; ability to effectively work and communicate with individuals from different cultural backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• Employee management experience in a university setting.
• Knowledge of Banner.
• Knowledge of university operational and departmental structure; experience with faculty contracts and tenure/promotion protocols.
• Familiarity with working with unionized personnel.

FLSA Exempt: Yes