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

Associate Director, Business and Finance

Job Profile Title

Associate Director D, Business and Finance

Job Description Summary

The Associate Director serves as the business operations lead for the Dean’s office and its administrative units. As part of the larger Financial Management, Planning and Analysis group, the position will also interact with the overall team in the preparation of budgets and the forecast submissions, as well as engage with cross-functional units such as Advancement, Trust Administration, the Provost’s Office, the Comptroller’s Office, and the Division of Finance, among others.

Job Description

The Office of Financial Management, Planning and Analysis (FMPA) provides leadership in the School of Arts & Sciences in the areas of financial planning, analysis and controllership; additionally, FMPA provides financial operations support to the Dean’s Office.  Responsibilities include budgeting, forecasting, multi-year and strategic planning, financial modeling, variance analysis, and reporting.

FMPA provides leadership in the development of operating budgets that link resources with SAS’s strategic objectives consistent with the financial and planning policies of the university. This office further provides service  that is dedicated to partnering with academic and administrative units by providing the approaches, tools and knowledge required for sound fiscal management . The FMPA team also works very closely with our colleagues in Finance & Administration to support the academic mission of the School .

Duties

The Associate Director reports directly to the Director of F MPA , and will assist in managing the full cycle of financial oversight from budgeting to management to forecasting of all administrative units and clients reporting to the Dean’s office. S/he will also provide financial oversight of School-wide restricted and unrestricted funds, and prepare/ analy ze monthly reports to project year-end balances and understand variances.   The position manage s 1-2 staff of direct reports whose responsibilities include financial management and the processing and recording of financial transactions.  S/he will work closely with all administrative units to ensure that available resources are being utilized wisely and in accordance with University and School policy .

The Associate Director also serves a s the primary Financial Systems Access Administrator for the School. Additionally, s/he will manage all centrally held gifts and endowments. Process improvement and the implementation/testing of internal controls are ongoing responsibilities. All of these functions require cross functional engagement with units inside the School and the larger University community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required .

• 5-7 years of experience in finance and/or accounting in a University setting is strongly preferred .

• A minimum of two years of experience in hiring, managing, evaluating and mentoring staff is desired but not required .

• Strong financial and accounting management skills is essential.

• Flexibility, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently while contributing effectively to the team is essential .

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral, are crucial.

• Familiarity with platforms such as Hyperion, Ben Financials, and Workday is considered a plus.

  Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Arts and Sciences

Pay Range

$61,046.00 - $110,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

  ​

  To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

  The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.