Director - Finance & OperationsUniversity of Pittsburgh

• The University Center for Social & Urban Research (UCSUR) has a 50-year history of conducting interdisciplinary research that is relevant to the region and beyond. The center currently has 30 staff and a multi-million annual budget. The Director of Finance & Operations role is funded by hard funds but much of the center is funded by a range of soft-funds including grants and contracts from local partners, foundations, state, and federal sources. The Director of Finance and Operations will supervise a team that supports the center's HR, finance, communications, facilities, and technology needs.
• UCSUR has recently hired a new Director and is in the process of becoming a hub for the university’s Community Engaged Research. The new Director of Finance & Operations will be a member of the center's leadership team and will report to, and work closely with the center's new Director. They will be part of an exciting time for the center, including building new initiatives that aim to engage Community Engaged Researchers across the university, and community leaders. This involves building efficient finance & operations systems for UCSUR, aligning UCSUR's budgeting and policies with strategic priorities, and working across Pitt units to develop exemplary processes (e.g., payment) that serve community partners well. Skills for working independently, attending to detail, making intentional decisions about limited resources, and building relationships with UCSUR staff, Pitt partners, and community members will all be an important part of this position. This role will require working in the office Monday - Thursday (3343 Forbes Avenue). In your cover letter, please describe your experience with finance & operations, leadership style, and why you want to help lead UCSUR, specifically. We ask that your cover letter reflect your own voice and experiences (not generated by AI).

Directs the budgeting process and oversees the analysis and review of financial information. Leads team and establishes the direction, goals, and implementation strategy of the department. Formulates, implements, and ensures compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations. Collaborates with key stakeholders and evaluates success of department.

• Has ultimate responsibility for financial compliance and reconciliation, and overall financial operations. This will require working closely with three finance team members at UCSUR, and being hands-on with accounting and budgeting tasks.
• Provide internal leadership to ensure that office-wide infrastructure systems (e.g., finance, facilities) are developed, implemented, and continually improved to align with Pitt policies and for an efficient and transparent workplace. This includes leading a team (e.g., HR, finance, communications, facilities, technology) and advising the Director on the fiscal health and upcoming needs of the center. Systems-building and shaping infrastructure will be essential as the center is at a stage of transition and growth.
• Represent UCSUR to other University units, including the offices of senior University administrators (Provost and Vice Chancellors), to government and foundations sponsors, and in collaborations across strategic partnerships with faculty and community organizations.
• Lead officewide climate development around human resources issues such as supervising, conflict management, recruiting diverse employees and students, and staff satisfaction. Success in this area requires excellent people skills to support staff in learning and using systems, and when facing challenging staffing issues. Must be a team player who can handle difficult and complex situations with tact and diplomacy to maintain a service-oriented environment.
• Track and forecast budgets, create accounting systems that work with various types of accounts and project leader needs. Success in this area requires being able to develop policies and systems with little or no direction, and troubleshoot/implement accordingly. It also includes being proficient at balancing multiple demands and advising the center's Director and Primary Investigators. Experience with sponsored research administration or managing a mix of hard and soft funds will be beneficial.

Little physical effort required. Duties are primarily sedentary. May be required to move objects up to 25 pounds occasionally.